What K-eco does

K-eco (한국환경공단 / Korea Environment Corporation) is a South Korean government-owned public corporation established in 2010 and headquartered in Incheon, operating under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. It functions as the principal implementation body for Korea's national environmental policy across climate, air quality, water resources, waste management, chemical safety, soil/groundwater, refrigerant control, and indoor air. Its operations span physical infrastructure (10 regional environmental headquarters, sewage and water resource facilities, environmental industry research complexes), digital platforms (45+ interconnected websites and mobile applications including Airkorea, Allbaro, SOOSIRO, Mulbaro, CarbonPay, InAir, MECAR, KREACH, RIMS, KEDIS), and human-capital programs (greenhouse gas professional training, environmental education centers, international expert training).

The organization's core technology stack consists of nationwide real-time monitoring systems that aggregate structured sensor data — approximately 800+ air quality stations feeding Airkorea; automated water quality sensors (pH, DO, BOD, COD, TOC, turbidity) feeding SOOSIRO; and electronic manifest/chain-of-custody systems (Allbaro, Mulbaro, livestock manure, food waste RFID) tracking waste from generation to disposal. These platforms provide AI-enabled predictive analytics, threshold-based anomaly alerting, and process automation, with a new multi-agent generative AI carbon management platform (developed via consortium with KAIST, Ecosian, and Ohu Dushilab) extending capabilities into MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) automation.

K-eco's business model is government-funded rather than market-priced. Revenue flows primarily from central government budget allocations and public infrastructure project contracts (e.g., the 224.9 billion KRW Gwangmyeong sewage facility modernization project). It serves three customer tiers: citizens (via public monitoring data, education programs, complaint services, CarbonPay incentives), businesses (via compliance, certification, emissions testing, waste tracking, chemical registration, refrigerant management), and government agencies (policy implementation, infrastructure projects, environmental review). Distribution combines self-serve digital platforms for individual/SMB users with direct sales through regional headquarters and customer service centers for enterprise and government clients. Specific service fees are not publicly disclosed; most services are delivered as public goods.

Name

K-eco

Legal name

한국환경공단 (Korea Environment Corporation)

Website

https://keco.or.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

K-eco is a South Korean government corporation that operates national environmental monitoring, certification, and waste-tracking platforms serving citizens, businesses, and government agencies through 45+ digital systems and 10 regional headquarters, implementing policy on air, water, waste, chemicals, and climate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Environmental Management Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Administration of Conservation Programs (924120)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL), Environmental Public Health (Food Safety, Water Quality, Sanitation) (BPAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Environmental management services
• Air quality monitoring
• Waste tracking systems
• Water quality surveillance
• Environmental compliance certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Incheon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: K-eco is a government corporation funded primarily through government budgets and public funding for environmental management services, policy implementation, and infrastructure projects.
2. Project Contracts: Revenue generated from public infrastructure projects such as sewage treatment facility modernization, environmental facility construction, and waste management operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

K-eco is a government environmental management corporation that operates nationwide monitoring and certification systems for air quality, water quality, waste, chemical safety, and climate, while implementing policy and managing public environmental infrastructure. It provides 45+ interconnected web portals and mobile applications (Air Korea, Allbaro, SOOSIRO, CarbonPay, etc.), certifies environmental instruments and hazardous waste handling, delivers professional training, and runs public infrastructure projects such as sewage treatment facility modernization. Services are funded primarily by national government budgets and project contracts.

Product overview

K-eco (한국환경공단, Korea Environment Corporation) is a Korean government-affiliated environmental management agency operating a large-scale, platform-ecosystem model consisting of 45+ interconnected web portals, mobile applications, and information systems covering the full spectrum of environmental management. The core platforms include: Air Korea (Airkorea) for national air quality monitoring; Allbaro for industrial waste chain-of-custody tracking; SOOSIRO for water quality remote monitoring; Mulbaro for commissioned wastewater tracking; 가축분뇨 전자인계 for livestock waste tracking; RFID기반 음식물쓰레기 for food waste management; InAir for indoor air quality; Noise Info for national noise management; and CarbonPay for citizen carbon incentive programs. Supporting systems cover chemical safety (KREACH, SafeChem), asbestos management, refrigerant management (RIMS), vehicle emissions (MECAR), environmental measurement instrument certification (KEDIS), and circular economy platforms (EcoAS, SRF-info). The ESG management system handles corporate sustainability reporting and disclosure. The company operates physical infrastructure including the 환경산업연구단지 (Environmental Industry Research Complex), 환경전문심사원 (Environmental Specialist Review Center), and the 종합환경연구단지 (Comprehensive Environmental Research Complex) at its Incheon headquarters, alongside 8 regional environmental headquarters covering all of Korea.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Air Korea: Air pollution real-time disclosure system providing nationwide air quality monitoring data including PM10, PM2.5, and other pollutant levels across major Korean cities.
• InAir
• CarbonPay
• Allbaro
• Mulbaro
• SOOSIRO
• LSNS
• EcoAS

Products and services

• Airkorea (대기오염실시간공개시스템 / Air Korea) National real-time air quality monitoring and public disclosure system aggregating data from approximately 800+ nationwide air quality monitoring stations. Displays pollutant concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO2, CO, SO2), air quality index, and color-coded status (Good/Moderate/Poor/Very Poor) for all major Korean cities. Available via web portal and mobile apps on Google Play, Apple App Store, and One Store.
• Allbaro (폐기물적법처리시스템) Comprehensive electronic tracking system for industrial and hazardous waste that automates chain of custody from generation through collection, transport, and final treatment/disposal. Connects waste generators, collectors, transporters, and treatment facilities in a single electronic manifest record across Korea.
• SOOSIRO (수질원격감시체계) Automated real-time water quality monitoring and remote surveillance system continuously monitoring parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, TOC, turbidity, nitrogen, phosphorus) at stations across major watersheds and industrial discharge points. Issues automated threshold alerts to regulators and facility operators.
• Mulbaro (수탁처리폐수 전자인계·인수관리시스템) Electronic manifest and tracking system for commissioned wastewater treatment that records handover and receipt of wastewater between waste generators and licensed treatment facilities, ensuring traceability and compliance with wastewater treatment regulations.
• Livestock Manure Electronic Manifest System (가축분뇨 전자인계관리시스템) Electronic manifest system for livestock manure management tracking collection, transport, and disposal of livestock waste from farms to certified processing facilities, providing regulatory traceability and compliance monitoring.
• RFID-based Food Waste Management System (RFID기반 음식물쓰레기 관리시스템) RFID-based food waste tracking and management system using RFID tags and weight sensors to monitor food waste collection from households and multi-family buildings, enabling volume-based fee calculation and disposal compliance tracking.
• Air Korea Mobile App Official mobile application of the Air Korea platform providing real-time AQI, pollutant concentrations, and air quality forecasts for all regions of South Korea on Android and iOS.
• CarbonPay (카본페이) Carbon point and incentive platform rewarding citizens for voluntary carbon reduction activities (e.g., using public transportation, reducing waste), offering carbon points redeemable for goods or services.
• InAir (실내공기질관리 종합정보망) National indoor air quality management and integrated information system monitoring indoor air quality in public buildings, schools, and childcare facilities, tracking fine dust, CO2, humidity, and temperature.
• Noise Info (국가소음정보시스템) National noise information system collecting and publishing noise measurement data from monitoring stations across South Korea, supporting environmental noise management and regulation enforcement.
• Greenhouse Gas Management Professional Training (온실가스관리 전문인력양성) Professional training and certification program for greenhouse gas management personnel providing structured education on carbon accounting, emissions trading, climate policy, and MRV methodologies, managed through K-eco's Talent Development Institute.
• EcoAS (환경친화적 제품 인증제도) Environmental product certification system evaluating and certifying environmental performance of electrical/electronic products and automobiles, assessing recyclability, hazardous substance content, and lifecycle environmental impact.
• RIMS (냉매정보관리시스템) Refrigerant management information system tracking refrigerant sales, installation, recovery, and disposal records for fluorinated greenhouse gas management, supporting compliance with Korea's refrigerant management regulations and HFC phase-down under K-CCS.
• Zero-Emission Vehicle Unified Information Hub (무공해차 통합누리집) Unified information portal for zero-emission vehicles (electric and hydrogen fuel cell) consolidating EV charging station locations, voucher application services, subsidy program information, and related administrative services.
• MECAR (자동차배출가스 종합전산시스템) Comprehensive automotive emissions computing system managing vehicle emissions certification testing data, tailpipe emission standards compliance, in-use vehicle remote sensing data, and professional maintenance facility certification.
• KEDIS (환경측정기기 검사시스템) Environmental measurement instrument inspection and certification system managing type approval, import notification, and accuracy verification (calibration) testing for environmental monitoring equipment including air quality sensors, gas analyzers, particulate monitors, and water quality instruments.
• SafeChem (유해화학물질 취급시설 검사 안전진단 시스템) Chemical safety management system managing inspection, safety diagnosis, and compliance verification for facilities handling hazardous chemical substances under the Chemicals Control Act.
• KREACH (화학물질 정보처리시스템) Korea REACH information processing system managing chemical substance registration, risk assessment, and authorization workflows required under Korea's chemical safety law, providing a platform for industry submission of registration dossiers.
• Asbestos Management Information Network (석면관리 종합정보망) Comprehensive asbestos management information network tracking asbestos surveys, risk assessments, removal projects, and disposal records for buildings and facilities under Korea's Asbestos Safety Management Act.
• SRF-info (폐자원에너지 종합정보관리시스템) Comprehensive information management system for solid recovered fuel (SRF) and waste-to-energy resources tracking SRF production, quality certification, market transactions, and energy recovery statistics.
• Inter-floor Noise Mediation Service (층간소음 이웃사이 서비스) Inter-floor noise mediation and resolution service providing a platform for residents to report noise complaints, receive mediation support, and access noise measurement services for resolving residential noise disputes.
• National Sewerage Information System (하수도정보시스템 / 국가하수도정비관리시스템) National sewer and wastewater infrastructure management information system providing integrated management of sewage treatment facilities, sewer network operations, facility performance data, and public sewage infrastructure statistics across Korean municipalities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Real-time air quality monitoring data available for all major Korean cities including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, and Sejong
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hyundai Motor GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2026Hyundai Motor Group signed MoU with Korea Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and K-eco to establish nationwide Plug and Charge (PnC) certification system. Hyundai transfers its PnC authentication technology and certification authority to enable broader EV charging network adoption across South Korea.
• Ecosian Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2026Climate tech company Ecosian formed consortium with K-eco and KAIST to develop multi-agent AI-based integrated carbon management platform under Ministry of Environment's AI Applied Product Rapid Commercialization Support Program worth 2 billion won.
• KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2026Korea's premier science and technology university partnering in consortium with Ecosian and K-eco to develop AI-based carbon management platform with organizations including Korea Environment Corporation, Korail, and Siheung Industry Promotion Agency as test beds.
• Kumho ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Kumho Construction leads consortium with 40% stake alongside Taeyoung Construction, Kolon Global, Environmental Energy Solutions, and Wooho Construction for Gwangmyeong Public Sewage Treatment Facility Modernization Project (224.9 billion won).
• Taeyoung ConstructionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Construction company consortium partner for 224.9 billion won Gwangmyeong Public Sewage Treatment Facility Modernization Project.
• Kolon GlobalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Construction and infrastructure company consortium partner for Gwangmyeong sewage treatment facility project.
• 16 Leading Circular Economy CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and K-eco signed business agreement with 16 leading companies and industrial complexes to foster and accelerate industrialization of waste resources in South Korea's circular economy sector.
• SK hynixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026SK hynix signed MoU with Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Gangwon State, Yangyang County, Korea Water Resources Corp., and K-eco to restore Namdae Stream ecosystem for salmon spawning grounds under SK hynix's water positive strategy (2026-2037).
• Incheon CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Incheon City and K-eco signed business agreement for environmental cooperation and joint environmental management initiatives.
• Ministry of Climate, Energy and EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry overseeing K-eco's environmental management operations, policy implementation, and joint initiatives including EV charging infrastructure, circular economy, and ecosystem restoration projects.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Watershed Technology: Enterprise carbon accounting and reporting platform that automates GHG emissions calculation and sustainability disclosure. Comparable to K-eco's emerging AI carbon management platform with Ohu Dushilab consortium, but as a venture-backed commercial SaaS serving global enterprises rather than a public-sector MRV system for Korea.
• South Pole Group: Global climate solutions provider focused on carbon credit origination, advisory, and corporate climate strategy. Comparable to K-eco's emissions trading support and carbon management mandate, but operates as a private consulting/services firm serving corporate clients worldwide, including in Korea.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Environmental Services: Major global environmental services incumbent in water, waste, and energy services. Comparable to K-eco in delivering water and waste management at scale, but as a private listed multinational rather than a government corporation.
• European Environment Agency (EEA): EU agency providing environmental data, reporting (e.g., State of the Environment), and policy support across European member states. Functionally analogous to K-eco's Air Korea and environmental data portal role at a supranational scale, with air/water/soil monitoring and policy briefings; differs in scope (multi-country EU vs. single country Korea).
• Suez Environment: Global environmental services incumbent operating water and waste management infrastructure across multiple continents. Relevant to K-eco because both run sewage/water treatment infrastructure and waste electronic-tracking systems, but Suez is a private-sector multinational operating across regions, whereas K-eco is a government corporation focused on Korea.
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): US federal environmental regulator and environmental monitoring data publisher (AirNow, water quality, toxics release inventory). Functionally analogous to K-eco in combining regulatory, monitoring, and reporting functions across air/water/waste, but with US-wide geographic scope and federal agency rather than state-corporation structure.
• Korea Energy Agency (KEA): Government agency under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment that administers renewable energy, energy efficiency, and GHG reduction incentive programs. Sister agency to K-eco under the same parent ministry; both run incentive/subsidy schemes and oversee compliance for overlapping climate policy.

Direct peers

• National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) Korea: Korea's primary environmental R&D and monitoring agency under the Ministry of Environment. Operates the national air quality monitoring network, water quality surveillance, and environmental research — directly overlapping with K-eco's Air Korea, SOOSIRO, and monitoring mandate. Both sit within Korea's Ministry of Environment ecosystem.
• Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water): Government-owned water utility corporation operating dams, water supply, and sewage infrastructure. Comparable to K-eco in being a state-owned environmental corporation under a Korean ministry, with overlapping responsibility in water/sewage infrastructure and the National Sewer Information System mentioned in K-eco's product list.

Regional players

• National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore: Singapore's national environmental agency overseeing public health, waste management, and environmental monitoring for a city-state. Comparable peer in Asia-Pacific with consolidated government agency model and integrated environmental monitoring mandate; differs geographically as NEA serves Singapore while K-eco operates nationally in South Korea.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kecotwt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Kecopr
• Facebookfacebook.com/kecopr
• Instagraminstagram.com/keco_puru

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 K-eco