Hyundai Worldwide Global Navigation
Corporate Information Hyundai Motor Breaks Ground on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production Facility in Korea
Please use Safari to download the files.
Corporate Information Hyundai Motor Breaks Ground on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Production Facility in Korea
SEOUL, October 30, 2025 – 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,” Vice Chair Chang said in his opening remarks. “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:
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.
Dain Kang
di@hyundai.com
Global PR Strategy & Planning · Hyundai Motor Company
Disclaimer: Hyundai Motor Company believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.
About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.
More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai
