Elchemtech

What Elchemtech does

Elchemtech (주식회사 엘켐텍) is a privately-held South Korean electrochemical technology company founded in 2002 by CEO Moon Sang-bong and headquartered in the Magok district of Seoul. The firm designs and manufactures two core product lines: (1) the H2Gen series of PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) water electrolysis systems, including the H2Lyzer stack with single-stack capacities up to 2.5MW producing hydrogen at up to 99.999% purity and 350 bar pressure, targeting green hydrogen production, power-to-gas, and renewable energy balancing applications; and (2) the HyGenon series of onsite saltwater electrochlorinators that generate sodium hypochlorite for water and pool disinfection using proprietary DSA electrode catalysts, with over 200 units installed worldwide since 2002. Underlying technology spans PEM and AEM water electrolysis, 350 bar compression-free pressurized electrolysis, and proprietary membrane and electrode materials, supported by 50+ patents in Korea and internationally.

The company operates a B2B enterprise sales model selling custom-built hardware systems directly to industrial customers, government agencies, and international partners, with pricing on a quote basis and multi-year contract cadence. Revenue mechanics are anchored in large-ticket PEM electrolyzer sales supplemented by a long tail of smaller HyGenon disinfection installations. Distribution runs through direct sales in Korea and international export channels, including KOTRA-facilitated deals such as the 2024 first-ever Korean PEM electrolyzer stack export to Czech company NANO Advanced s.r.o for a 1MW project, and Korea's government Innovation Procurement Marketplace. Recent strategic positioning includes a joint research collaboration with Saudi Aramco on AEMWE-based green hydrogen from produced water (presented at MEOS GEO 2025), a PEM oxygen generator contract with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute for an undersea space platform, Hydrogen Specialist Company designation under Korea's Hydrogen Act, and IMO certifications for ballast water treatment systems.

Name

Elchemtech

Legal name

주식회사 엘켐텍 (Elchemtech Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://elchemtech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Elchemtech is a privately-held South Korean electrochemical technology company founded in 2002 that designs and manufactures PEM water electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production (H2Gen) and onsite saltwater electrochlorinators for water disinfection (HyGenon), selling custom-built hardware to enterprise, government, and international industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Electrolysis Equipment

NAICS

Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chlor-Alkali & Derivatives (IMAEAAAC), Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural) (IMAEAJAL)

Keywords

• PEM water electrolysis
• Green hydrogen production
• Saltwater electrolysis systems
• Electrochemical disinfection equipment
• Hydrogen electrolyzer stacks

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. H2Gen PEM Electrolyzer Systems: Sale of PEM water electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production. Systems range from small laboratory units (H2Gen1 at 0.1 Nm3/hr) to large industrial systems (H2GenXMW at >1MW capacity). Custom systems with configurable hydrogen production volume, purity, and pressure specifications.
2. HyGenon Disinfection Systems: Sale of onsite saltwater electrolysis electrochlorinator systems for water disinfection. Available in various capacities from HyGenon M60 (6 kg/day chlorine) to HyGenon M5000 (500 kg/day chlorine).
3. PEM Electrolyzer Stack Components: Export and sale of PEM electrolyzer stacks to international partners. First export to Czech company NANO Advanced s.r.o for 1MW scale project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Elchemtech designs, manufactures, and sells electrochemical systems based on proprietary PEM and saltwater electrolysis technology. Its two main product lines are the H2Gen Series (PEM water electrolysis systems, comprising the H2Lyzer stack and complete systems with Balance of Plant components, for green hydrogen production at capacities from 0.1 Nm³/hr to >1MW and up to 99.999% purity at 350 bar) and the HyGenon Series (onsite electrochlorinators using proprietary DSA electrode catalysts and membrane technology to produce sodium hypochlorite from saltwater for water disinfection at capacities from 6 kg/day to 500 kg/day of chlorine, with 200+ units installed worldwide since 2002). The company also supplies PEM oxygen generators for aerospace/defense applications including KARI's undersea space platform.

Product overview

Elchemtech is an electrochemical technology company offering two core product lines: (1) H2Gen System - a PEM water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production, comprising H2Lyzer stacks and BOP components, available in models ranging from H2Gen1 (0.1 Nm³/hr) to H2GenXMW (>1MW), and (2) HyGenon Series - onsite electrochlorinators for sodium hypochlorite production used in water disinfection at treatment plants and swimming pools, available in models from HyGenon M60 (6 kg/day chlorine) to HyGenon M5000 (500 kg/day chlorine).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• H2Gen: PEM water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production; includes H2Lyzer stack and complete hydrogen production system with BOP components
• HyGenon

Products and services

• H2Gen System PEM water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production, consisting of H2Lyzer stack and BOP (Balance of Plant) components including water management, hydrogen purification, dryer, rectifier, and control panel. Supports indoor, outdoor container, and explosion-proof configurations with customization for capacity, purity (up to 99.9995%), and pressure (up to 350 bar). Models range from H2Gen1 (0.1 Nm³/hr) to H2GenXMW (>1MW). For industrial enterprises and government/utility buyers in the green hydrogen sector.
• H2Lyzer Stack PEM type electrolyzer stack that produces hydrogen through electrochemical reaction using pure water and electricity. Features convenient maintenance, minimized installation space due to high current density operation, superior dynamic operation, and optimization for green hydrogen and PtG (Power-to-Gas) systems. Maximum single stack capacity up to 2.5MW. Sold independently as well as incorporated into H2Gen systems. For industrial customers and international partners purchasing stack components.
• HyGenon Series Onsite electrochlorinator utilizing proprietary DSA electrode catalysts and membrane technology for saltwater electrolysis. Produces sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for disinfection at water treatment facilities and swimming pools. Achieves over 80% electrolysis efficiency with 0.1-3.5% sodium hypochlorite concentration. Available in capacities from HyGenon M60 (6 kg/day chlorine) to HyGenon M5000 (500 kg/day chlorine); also NET/NEP certified and listed on Korea's Innovation Procurement Marketplace. For water treatment facilities, municipalities, and swimming pool operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ HyGenon units installed worldwide since 2002
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Supply of PEM oxygen generators for KARI's undersea space platform under regulatory exemption from Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Project aims to establish oxygen supply system for personnel in enclosed undersea environments for extended periods. Technology also applicable to aerospace and defense sectors including submarines.
• Saudi AramcocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Joint research collaboration with Saudi Aramco presenting breakthrough green hydrogen research at MEOS GEO 2025. Study demonstrated produced water-based green hydrogen production using AEMWE (Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer) technology with Zero Liquid Discharge desalination. Published paper SPE-227833-MS titled 'Produced Water Based Green Hydrogen Production Using an Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer (AEMWE) System'.
• NANO Advanced s.r.o (Czech Republic)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 October 2024Export agreement for PEM electrolyzer stacks to Czech company NANO Advanced s.r.o, established 2023 and backed by MND (largest Czech oil company) and KCCG. This represents Korea's first export of PEM-based green hydrogen technology for 1MW scale project supporting Czech Republic's green hydrogen strategy requiring 42% renewable hydrogen in transmission sector by 2030.
• KOTRA Prague OfficesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerKOTRA's Prague office supported international collaboration and local contract process for the Czech PEM electrolyzer export project.
• Sunbo UnitechsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided market linkage support for the Czech PEM electrolyzer export project success.
• Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner on multiple national R&D projects including 1MW single stack development, P2G-based PEM water electrolysis system, and high-efficiency MEA development.
• Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration partner on multiple government-funded projects including URFC system development and hydrogen separation/purification process development.
• KAISTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner on national R&D projects including high-pressure stack development, P2G systems, and membrane electrode assembly development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nel ASA: Norwegian PEM and alkaline electrolyzer manufacturer offering hydrogen production systems at industrial scale. Directly comparable to Elchemtech's H2Gen line in target customers (industrial green hydrogen producers) and core PEM technology, but at vastly larger scale and global commercial footprint.
• ITM Power: UK-based PEM electrolyzer manufacturer focused on green hydrogen production for industrial, power-to-gas, and refueling applications. Directly comparable to H2Gen on technology (PEM) and target use cases; listed and well-capitalized with a global installed base.
• thyssenkrupp nucera: German electrolyzer specialist offering both alkaline and PEM water electrolysis at multi-hundred-MW scale. Closely comparable to H2Gen on the hydrogen production value proposition and is a leading global competitor in the same PEM/AEM technology category.
• Ohmium: India/US-based PEM electrolyzer company selling modular green hydrogen systems. Closely comparable to Elchemtech's H2Gen on PEM technology and modular product positioning, though with broader geographic reach and more recent venture funding.
• De Nora: Italian electrode and electrochemistry specialist serving water treatment (chlorination, disinfection) and hydrogen production markets. Directly comparable to both HyGenon (DSA electrodes, electrochlorination) and H2Gen (electrolyzer technology), making it a strong dual-line peer.
• Hitachi Zosen: Japanese engineering company with a hydrogen business offering alkaline and PEM water electrolyzers at commercial scale. Closely comparable to H2Gen on electrolyzer product type and is a major global competitor in green hydrogen system integration.
• H2B2: Spain-based PEM electrolyzer company focused on small-to-medium scale green hydrogen production. Comparable to H2Gen on PEM technology and modular system design, representing a similarly-sized entrepreneurial competitor in the global electrolyzer market.

Broad incumbents

• Plug Power: US-based hydrogen ecosystem company offering electrolyzers, fuel cells, and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Overlaps with Elchemtech's H2Gen on PEM electrolyzer technology, but operates a much broader portfolio spanning production, storage, and end-use applications.
• Asahi Kasei: Japanese diversified chemical company with major chlor-alkali and hydrogen businesses (including the Chlorine Engineers electrolyzer subsidiary). Comparable to Elchemtech's chlor-alkali-adjacent brine electrolysis technology for HyGenon and to its PEM electrolyzer ambitions for H2Gen, but at vastly larger scale.
• Evoqua Water Technologies (Veolia): Major water treatment solutions provider (now part of Veolia) offering on-site hypochlorite generation, chlorination, and disinfection systems. Directly comparable to Elchemtech's HyGenon product line in target customers (municipal water treatment, pools) and on-site NaOCl generation technology.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elchemtech