Utility, the global economic industrial decarbonization company headquartered in the U.S., who is currently commercializing its proprietary and proven H2Gen technology platform, has signed a Project Agreement with the Seongnam Municipal Government of Korea at Seongnam City Hall to establish an H2Gen Demonstration and Certification plant at the Seongnam Water Reclamation Center.

Seongnam has long been a leader and innovator in circular economy and clean energy initiatives such as H₂. Seongnam will host the Project, known as the "Frontier Korea" facility, which is the first of its kind outside of the U.S.

The agreement represents a strategic initiative to support South Korea's H₂ Economy Roadmap which prioritizes biogas and H₂ as energy sources to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. The country is investing heavily in biogas projects, converting organic waste into clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance waste management.

Frontier Korea will see Utility build and operate a clean-carbon H₂ production plant producing over 99.995% pure H₂ (fuel-cell grade) and deliver H₂ to the E1 H₂ refueling station in Seongnam for use in fuel-cell buses, trucks, and cars. Korea has one of the most developed H₂-powered vehicle markets in the world, which Utility believes holds significant potential for its H2Gen technology. Through H2Gen, Utility electrochemically produces H₂ from water without electricity, utilizing raw biogas energy from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste.

This project will also verify H2Gen H₂ production technology in Korea by meeting Korea Gas Safety standards, paving the path for rapid expansion in Korea across multiple industry sectors. Korea is one of Utility's key focus markets given the significant opportunities in the nation across biogas, steel, refining and chemicals, all target markets for Utility's H2Gen technology. Utility also recently established a fully-owned subsidiary in Seongnam, Utility Korea LLC, and made a qualifying investment under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (FIPA).

"This project marks an innovative step beyond the traditional role of wastewater treatment, establishing a foundation for clean energy," adding, "It is expected to advance carbon neutrality, resource circulation, clean energy infrastructure, and international cooperation — thereby enhancing Seongnam City's ESG values," stated Lim Jong-cheol, Deputy Mayor of Seongnam Municipal Government. "Our collaboration with Utility represents a continued commitment towards these important objectives."

On October 10, Utility started operations on its U.S.-based Frontier Facility in Houston, Texas, where long duration runtimes with various feed gases and 24/7 operations will continue to show H2Gen's versatility and wide applicability in economic industrial decarbonization. The Frontier Korea facility will be a near replica of this proven modular plant.

"Korea, a demonstrated leader in decarbonization, is a strategic priority for our company," stated Parker Meeks, Chief Executive Officer and President of Utility. "We applaud the Seongnam Municipal Government, for its decision to join us on this important project, to enable our H2Gen technology's ability to deliver game-changing economic decarbonization in multiple industrial sectors in Korea, starting with heavy mobility."