NEWS: Hyundai Opens New Environmental Technology R&D Centre

With files from Hyundai Canada

Hyundai Automotive Group today held the grand opening of the new Environmental Technology R&D Centre. As the new home of Hyundai’s environmental research efforts, the Centre will spark new synergies and generate greater efficiency in Hyundai’s efforts to develop cleaner, more eco-friendly vehicles.

Located on the southern edge of Seoul in Mabuk, phase 1 of the centre was completed with a total investment of US $58 million after start of construction in July 2003. The scale of the investment is a clear sign of the Hyundai Motor Company’s commitment to attain global leadership in environmental management.

Situated on a 30,488-sq. meter site, the five-story 14,233 sq. meter 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 specialized 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 Hyundai to proactively respond 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 will enable fuel-cell vehicle tests within the Seoul metropolitan area and will help accelerate the commercialization of fuel-cell electric vehicles.

Furthermore, in line with the purpose it seeks to serve, the centre itself was contracted using environment-friendly materials and processes such as vacuum toilet systems which in using one-tenth the water of a conventional flush toilet results in 1,500 tons of water savings annually; 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