Hyundai Kia Automotive Group opens environmental technology R&D centre

Hyundai Kia Automotive Group has opened a new environmental technology R&D centre. As the new home of Hyundai-Kia's environmental research efforts, the centre will spark new synergies and generate greater efficiency in Hyundai-Kia's efforts to develop cleaner, more eco-friendly vehicles.

Located on the southern edge of Seoul in Mabuk, phase one of the centre was completed with a total investment of US$58 million (Lm20.5 million) after the start of construction in July 2003. The scale of the investment is a clear sign of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group's commitment to attain global leadership in environmental management, the company said in a statement.

Situated on a 30,488-m2, the five-story 14,233 m2 facility is home to 200 researchers and more than 400 pieces of high-tech equipment. Facilities include a 700-bar hydrogen filling station, a fuel-cell endurance tester, an emissions lab, dynamometers and other specialised equipment for testing electric propulsion systems.

A pilot plant for automated vehicle dismantling focuses on improving the material recycling rate of end-of-life vehicles.

The new centre will allow both Hyundai and Kia to respond proactively to the intensifying environmental regulations in the areas of product development, manufacturing, sales, after service, and vehicle recycling.

Of particular note, the 700-bar hydrogen filling station, coupled with the 350-bar station at the Group's Namyang R&D Centre, north of Seoul, will enable fuel-cell vehicle tests within the Seoul metropolitan area and help accelerate the commercialisation of fuel-cell electric vehicles.

"The mission of the R&D centre is to enable Hyundai Kia Automotive Group to realise its vision of becoming the world leader in environmental technology through the development of products and core technologies that are in full compliance with global environment regulations," group vice-chairman Sang-Kwon Kim said.

"Through world-class environmental management practices, we look forward to playing a leading role in helping to solve global environmental issues," he added.

The group plans to invest heavily in next generation green vehicles and environmental technologies with focus placed on development of core technologies for fuel-cell and hybrid cars and mass production of such vehicles, development of technologies for lowering gas emissions and improving fuel efficiency, enhancing vehicle recycling as well as investigation into alternative materials to ferrous metals, and development of technologies for lowering air/water pollution during the manufacturing process and for recycling waste materials resulting from energy production.

Because of this, the centre itself was constructed using environment-friendly materials and processes, such as vacuum toilet systems which result in 1,500 tons of water savings annually by using a tenth of the water of a conventional flush toilet; heating and air-conditioning systems using heat pumps; natural light systems using solar reflectors; floors made of scrapped tires; and electric power created from actual fuel-cell tests used during technology development that will result in a 1,000-ton reduction in CO2 emissions.