Heesung Catalysts R&D Center Head Contributes to Special Issue — “Catalysis for a Carbon-Neutral Society”
2026.02.04
The Present and Industrial Significance of Carbon-Neutral Catalysis
An article titled “Catalysis for a Carbon-Neutral Society,” written by Dr. Jinwoo Song, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Center at Heesung Catalysts, has been published in the January–February 2026 Special Issue of Technology & Innovation, a periodical issued by the Korea Industrial Technology Association (KOITA).
The article emphasizes that carbon neutrality is not a distant future goal, but a challenge that can be addressed today through catalytic technologies. It further illustrates how catalysts contribute across various industries—including automotive, shipping and power generation, semiconductor, hydrogen, and resource recycling—and presents practical pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within existing industrial infrastructures.
In addition, the article highlights how Heesung Catalysts has evolved from a company focused on internal combustion engine emission control catalysts into a core technology provider supporting decarbonization across multiple industries.
Carbon-Neutral Catalysis Gaining Attention Amid Industrial Transformation
As domestic and global business environments become increasingly complex, the importance of strategic planning for 2026 has grown. In this context, the Technology & Innovation Special Issue, titled “Innovation and Challenges of Leading Korean Companies,” was designed to examine global and domestic outlooks as well as innovation strategies of key industry leaders.
Within this framework, Mr. Song’s contribution offers a perspective on industrial transition in the era of carbon neutrality and sheds light on the role of catalytic technologies in this transformation.
Industrial Catalysts for Scope 1·2·3 Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The article discusses how, following the Paris Agreement and Korea’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment, the demand for technologies capable of delivering tangible emission reductions in the short term has intensified. In this policy environment, catalysis is presented as a practical solution that enables emission reductions and energy savings while allowing existing facilities to remain in operation.
From an application standpoint, the article covers automotive emission control catalysts, SCR and methane oxidation catalysts (MOC) for shipping and power generation, PFC decomposition catalysts for semiconductor processes, catalysts for hydrogen production and utilization, and resource circulation models through spent catalyst recycling. This demonstrates that catalysis is not limited to a single sector but serves as a key enabler of decarbonization across industries.
Furthermore, the article notes that Heesung Catalysts is expanding its carbon-neutral product portfolio based on over 40 years of accumulated catalytic expertise, strengthening production capacity through its newly completed “Cheomdan Plant” in 2024, and advancing R&D in environmental regulation response, greenhouse gas reduction, hydrogen technologies, and resource recycling with approximately 150 specialized researchers.
Heesung Catalysts: Leading Carbon-Neutral Catalytic Solutions
This contribution clearly positions catalytic technology as a foundational pillar of the carbon-neutral era and underscores Heesung Catalysts’ role as a strategic enterprise supporting Korea’s industrial green transition—beyond being a mere materials supplier.
Heesung Catalysts will continue to pursue technological innovation to build a future where industrial development and environmental protection coexist.
[Read the full article] https://webzinekoita.or.kr/202601/1_6.php
