Hyundai Motor Breaks Ground on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production Facility in Korea
- Hyundai Motor holds groundbreaking ceremony for its new hydrogen fuel cell production facility in Ulsan, Korea
- With an investment of KRW 930 billion, the facility – set for completion in 2027 – will mass-produce 30,000 fuel cell units annually, along with PEM electrolyzers
- Improved fuel cell technology, with enhanced durability and cost competitiveness, is expected to support Hyundai Motor’s goal of achieving global market leadership
- Developing PEM electrolyzers as a cornerstone for green hydrogen production while leveraging fuel cell expertise for domestic manufacturing
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Hyundai Motor Company today held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new hydrogen fuel cell production plant in Ulsan, South Korea, marking a major step in its efforts to position the country as a global leader in the energy transition.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Minister Sungwhan Kim of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Vice Minister Shinhak Moon of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources; and several National Assembly members. Their presence alongside Ulsan Mayor Doo-gyeom Kim and other local officials highlighted the importance of hydrogen as a national strategic industry and the strength of public-private collaboration.
International hydrogen industry leaders also attended, including Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council – a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision and ambition for hydrogen to accelerate the clean energy transition. Jemelkova was visiting Korea for the 2025 APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju.
This plant embodies Hyundai Motor Group’s strategic commitment to advancing the hydrogen society transition. It will serve as a critical foundation for securing national economic growth momentum and establishing Korea’s leadership in the global hydrogen industry.
The new facility will occupy 43,000 square meters on the site of a former internal combustion engine transmission plant – a symbolic shift that underscores Hyundai Motor’s pivot toward future mobility.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, the plant will integrate chemical processing and assembly operations with annual production capacity of 30,000 fuel cell units. The facility will operate under Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen brand and business platform HTWO brand, which symbolizes ‘Hydrogen for Humanity.’
The plant represents an investment of KRW 930 billion and will produce next-generation hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers for various mobility applications including passenger vehicles, commercial trucks and buses, construction equipment and marine vessels.
Advancing Core Technologies
The facility aims to position Hyundai Motor at the forefront of global hydrogen technology through two key products:
Next-generation hydrogen fuel cell: Hyundai Motor targets enhancing both power output and durability compared to current models while achieving price competitiveness to lead the global market. Fuel cells generate electricity through electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen, functioning as onboard power generators.
- PEM electrolyzers: The plant will produce high-efficiency polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers as first production in Korea. These electrolyzers generate high-purity hydrogen from water without carbon emissions – a critical technology for achieving global net-zero targets. Drawing on nearly three decades of fuel cell development expertise, the company has achieved approximately 90 percent localization of electrolyzer components.
- The company has already developed an electrolyzer stack and in February completed a 1 MW containerized electrolyzer system that is currently in demonstration operation, producing more than 300 kg of high-purity hydrogen daily. A 5 MW-class large-scale project is currently under development in Jeju, Korea, with the goal of establishing a complete green hydrogen ecosystem.
Advanced Manufacturing Platform
Hyundai Motor plans to operate the new Ulsan hydrogen fuel cell production facility as an advanced manufacturing platform incorporating core technologies from its accumulated human-centered manufacturing expertise.
The plant will extensively deploy robotics technologies to reduce worker strain while enhancing operational efficiency. Advanced monitoring systems will detect even minute safety hazards to protect workers.
Expanding the Hydrogen Ecosystem
The fuel cells produced will be optimized for different applications, from passenger vehicles to commercial trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine vessels.
Beyond fuel cells, Hyundai Motor Group is developing comprehensive solutions across the hydrogen value chain – from resource-circular production to storage, transport and utilization – while building partnerships with governments, global companies and research institutions.
The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to serve as a platform for collaboration among government, local authorities and industry stakeholders, reinforcing a unified approach toward accelerating the hydrogen economy. Hyundai Motor aims to strengthen its global leadership in hydrogen and expand strategic partnerships to support carbon neutrality and ecosystem development.
Attendees at the ceremony viewed multiple generations of fuel cells and electrolyzers, along with hydrogen-powered vehicles including the all-new NEXO SUV, trucks, excavators, vessels, tractors and forklifts – showcasing the extensive applications of hydrogen mobility.
The facility is expected to scale production in line with market growth, contributing to the expansion of the global hydrogen ecosystem and supporting infrastructure development.
At the ceremony, Hyundai Motor and Korean bus manufacturer KGM Commercial signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for fuel cell supply, highlighting the plant’s pivotal role in advancing Korea’s hydrogen ecosystem.
Contacts
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Wolfgang Würth
Director PR & Communications
wwuerth@hyundai-europe.comAdriana Cerami
Head of Corporate & Brand PR
acerami@hyundai-europe.comElvira Vella-Herrera
Executive & Internal Communications Senior Expert
eherrera@hyundai-europe.comMaria Bricio
Corporate & Brand Communications Expert
mbricio@hyundai-europe.comPatricia Lammers
Corporate Communications Expert
patricia.lammers@hyundai-europe.comConor Twomey
Head of Product PR
conor.twomey@hyundai-europe.comAdrian Péré
Product PR Manager
apere@hyundai-europe.comKatharina Kupper
Hyundai Newsroom Lead
