LOTTE-Air Liquide Ener’Hy begins operation of Korea’s largest 450 bar high-pressure hydrogen shipping center,

LOTTE-Air Liquide Ener’Hy, a joint venture established in 2022 through the co-investment of Air Liquide Korea and LOTTE Chemical, announced the successful commercial operation of its state-of-the-art high-pressure hydrogen shipping center in Daesan, Chungnam, officially beginning stable hydrogen supply to the mobility market.

At the completion ceremony held on November 11, key government and industry representatives attended, including Ahn Se-chang, Director General for Climate and Energy Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), Hong Soon-gwang, Vice Mayor of Seosan City, Ronnie Chalmers, President of Air Liquide Asia-Pacific, Lee Young-jun, CEO of LOTTE Chemical, and Ken Ramirez, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company.

Located in the Daesan Petrochemical Complex in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, the hydrogen shipping center will supply high-pressure hydrogen to the central region including the Seoul metropolitan area. In particular, it is expected to serve as a key infrastructure for fueling large hydrogen commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks.

The new Daesan high-pressure hydrogen shipping center, supported by the government’s Hydrogen Shipping Center Construction Subsidy Program and supplied with stable byproduct hydrogen from LOTTE Chemical, is set to become the nation’s largest 450 bar high-pressure hydrogen production hub. It can produce enough hydrogen to fuel 4,200 passenger vehicles or 1,100 hydrogen buses per day. LOTTE-Air Liquide Ener’Hy also plans to enhance logistics efficiency by introducing advanced high-pressure tube trailers. These trailers can transport 3.5 times more hydrogen compared to existing 200 bar trailers, significantly increasing transport capacity and efficiency.

Built on Air Liquide’s proprietary technologies and extensive expertise in high-purity hydrogen across the entire value chain, the facility integrates strict quality control systems and world-class safety standards to ensure the highest level of hydrogen supply reliability.

Backed by the government’s strong commitment to expanding the hydrogen economy, Korea is demonstrating global leadership in energy transition. LOTTE-Air Liquide Ener’Hy aims to contribute to this national vision by providing integrated hydrogen solutions—from byproduct hydrogen purification to transportation and distribution—leading the country’s shift toward a hydrogen-based economy.

Somi Kim, CEO of LOTTE-Air Liquide Ener’Hy, stated, “The completion of the Daesan high-pressure hydrogen shipping center demonstrates our strategic commitment to Korea’s sustainable energy future. With reliable supply and logistics innovation such as high-pressure tube trailers, the facility is now fully operational and ready to serve customers. We are pleased to provide competitive, efficient, and highly reliable high-purity hydrogen, and we will actively contribute to accelerating hydrogen mobility adoption and achieving Korea’s ambitious hydrogen ecosystem goals.”

Lee Young-jun, CEO of LOTTE Chemical, said, “The Daesan hydrogen shipping center is a significant milestone toward carbon neutrality, as it transforms byproduct hydrogen into a high-value resource.” He added, “LOTTE Chemical will continue to push forward with technological innovation and new business development to lead the hydrogen energy industry.”