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Business West and Korean Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre collaborate to connect manufacturers and innovators and promote development of hydrogen mobility technology.

Stephen Moore

November 5, 2020

3 Min Read
hydrogen mobility
Business West

UK not-for-profit incubator Business West has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korean Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to encourage collaboration between businesses in the southwest of the United Kingdom and Korean innovators in the field of hydrogen mobility.

Under the terms of the agreement, Business West and AMRC will identify, support and connect manufacturers and innovators to share expertise, initiate collaborative R&D projects, and accelerate the joint development of this important technology. By fostering these connections, Business West aims to create a greener future for Korea, the UK and the planet.

Already, South Korea is on course to becoming a world leader in hydrogen mobility, with a clear strategy to put 6.2 million hydrogen powered vehicles on its roads by 2040. The technology is expected to add $38 billion) to the South Korean economy, with vehicle maker Hyundai already investing $6.7 billion) in the development of hydrogen mobility solutions.

One innovator who hopes to be supported by the new agreement is PV3 Technologies who recently secured funding from Aerospace Cornwall to help support new R&D projects in green hydrogen.

David Hodgson, CEO at PV3 Technologies, commented: “South Korea has real ambition to be a leader in hydrogen utilization and has already built up great capability in fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles. As a South West materials provider to the hydrogen sector, I’m excited to see the MoU come into effect, and look forward to subsequent partnership opportunities in South Korea.”

Business West and AMRC have already collaborated extensively to develop the relationship between the two countries in the delivery of Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP). The programme facilitates in-country visits for South West SMEs and opens doors to senior figures at globally renowned companies such as Hyundai, Korean Air and Korean Aerospace.

“We take time to carefully select the most cutting-edge and ambitious innovators to be involved in the GBIP and then work intensively to prepare them for the cultural and business landscape in Korea,” said Phil Smith, Managing Director, Business West. “Under the MoU, we will expand on this approach, to help our brightest innovators in hydrogen technologies make the right connections and get the right preparations.”

“We also see this as an important step in driving climate action,” continued Phil Smith. “As part of the International Chambers’ Climate Coalition, we not only want to champion lower carbon emissions, but also help South West businesses carve out an important role in the development of tomorrow’s green technologies. Last year we added the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo to our fleet of vehicles and through this MoU, hope that South West innovators can help make hydrogen power far more readily available.”

Jounghwan Lee, Executive Director of AMRC Korea, said: "This MoU will greatly promote more international cooperation in the industry and between our two countries. The annual visit of UK delegates creates new opportunities every year and these fruitful meetings have been instrumental in reaching this MoU. We see this as a starting point and hope it will promote the hydrogen mobility industry in both Korea and the UK through more collaborations, technology transfers, and greater investment."  

About the Author(s)

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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