South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday it held a clean hydrogen technology innovation forum at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology in Daejeon and shared first-phase research results from national hydrogen-focused laboratories launched in July 2025.

The forum presented results from hydrogen-focused laboratories in five areas including alkaline, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), solid oxide and anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC).

Key results included the solid oxide water electrolysis area, where AI process management and supersonic ceramic spray technology lifted electrode process productivity by 150 percent from previous levels and secured a production system capable of producing 1,000 electrolysis cells per year using domestic company facilities. In the AEM water electrolysis area, researchers developed a catalyst that reduced precious metal use by 78 percent while achieving world-leading performance, and generated actual sales through commercialisation of stack technology. In the LOHC area, results included development of a high-efficiency catalyst for hydrogen extraction with a lifespan improved by 50 times compared with existing catalysts.

The ministry plans to invest 25.1 billion won this year to scale up results from the hydrogen-focused laboratories. It also plans to seek to secure a budget for new projects worth 17.1 billion won in which companies directly participate in demonstration of water electrolysis materials and components. It said it will cooperate to ensure that core technologies developed through a public-private consultative body, the Clean Hydrogen R&D Innovation Alliance, involving 67 demand-side companies, can be carried into industrial sites.

Kim Seong-su (김성수), director-general for R&D policy at the ministry, said localisation and innovation in hydrogen technology were not an option but a necessity. He said the ministry would support the hydrogen-focused laboratories so they can link with companies and contribute to tangible greenhouse gas reductions and creation of economic value.