Efforts to expand hydrogen infrastructure and low-emission commercial transport across the Asia-Pacific region are continuing, with South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group announcing a hydrogen ecosystem project in Hong Kong through partnerships with Korean, Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and French companies.

At the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2026, held in Hong Kong from May 18th to 20th, 2026, Hyundai Motor Group and its partners signed an agreement supporting the development of Hong Kong's hydrogen ecosystem. The project will utilise a waste-to-hydrogen (W2H) model based on experience gained in Korea and Indonesia, and will include local production of low-carbon hydrogen, development and operation of liquid hydrogen refuelling stations, and deployment of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group subsequently signed a corporate MoU with Hong Kong-based and international companies for the project. The Korea-Hong Kong corporate MoU establishes a framework to develop Hong Kong's hydrogen market while positioning the city as a base for Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen business activities across the Asia-Pacific region.

The agreement was signed by Seung Kyu Shin; Cheng Don H.K.; Yu Taek Seo; Norman Cheng; In Gu Park; Zhang Jian; Wu Pinfang; Alfred Wong; William Luk; and Calvin Wong. The initiative outlines a framework, execution plan, and Korea-Hong Kong corporate partnerships for the project.

"This MoU was signed as part of Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to supporting Hong Kong's hydrogen policies and the development of its hydrogen ecosystem by utilising the Group's hydrogen business capabilities and experience. Beginning with Hong Kong, the Group aims to expand collaboration and business opportunities across the Asia-Pacific hydrogen market," said Seung Kyu Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Energy & Hydrogen Policy Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group.

The Group is also participating as an exhibitor at the Symposium at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. At the exhibition, it is presenting HTWO, its hydrogen brand and business platform, alongside plans for Hong Kong's hydrogen ecosystem. The display includes the Group's W2H technologies and global initiatives, as well as a fuel-cell system manufactured at HTWO Guangzhou, the Group's first overseas fuel-cell system production facility.

Through HTWO, the Group integrates the capabilities of its affiliates to provide hydrogen-related solutions across the value chain, including production, storage, transportation, refuelling, and utilisation.

Why is Hyundai Motor Group establishing a hydrogen ecosystem in Hong Kong?

Hyundai Motor Group is utilising its hydrogen-related experience following Hong Kong's Hydrogen Roadmap announcement in 2024 and the introduction of subsidies for hydrogen vehicles and refuelling infrastructure through the New Energy Transport Fund. The Group identified Hong Kong as a potential hydrogen-related business market.

The Group has also engaged with local stakeholders by sharing information on waste-to-hydrogen ecosystems during the inaugural Symposium last year and presenting Korea's hydrogen policies at the 2025 APEC Workshop in Hong Kong. It also operates hydrogen technologies and fuel-cell system production facilities, including HTWO Guangzhou.

What does the hydrogen ecosystem project involve?

The Group's strategy has been developed according to Hong Kong's operating environment and economic conditions. Key initiatives include:

- Production of low-carbon hydrogen using Hong Kong's landfill gas (LFG) resources.
- Introduction of hydrogen fuel-cell buses, including tour and airport shuttle buses.
- Development and operation of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) at high-traffic locations.

HTWO Guangzhou will supply fuel-cell systems for the production and deployment of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles for local operational requirements.

Who are the partners in this MoU?

The project involves collaboration between public- and private-sector entities, with 10 companies participating in the corporate MoU:

- Hyundai Motor Company (Korea): Responsible for waste-to-hydrogen production, hydrogen refuelling station development, and deployment of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.
- Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Korea): Responsible for the design and establishment of waste-to-hydrogen production infrastructure.
- JEA ENG (Korea): Responsible for the design and establishment of hydrogen refuelling stations.
- The Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Hong Kong): Involved in W2H production, distribution, and utilisation activities.
- Veolia Hong Kong (France): Providing local support for W2H facility establishment.
- China Inspection (Hong Kong): Providing regulatory guidance and product certification.
- Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment (Chinese Mainland): Supplying liquid hydrogen and providing technical guidance for liquid hydrogen refuelling stations.
- Templewater (Hong Kong): Providing advisory support relating to Asia-Pacific expansion and technology scouting.
- Chun Wo Construction & Engineering Company (Hong Kong): Providing local support for refuelling station construction.
- Chun Wo Bus Services (Hong Kong): Responsible for hydrogen bus deployment and operations.

What are the next steps?

With the MoU establishing a collaboration framework, the Group and its partners plan to continue project implementation. The immediate focus will be on developing W2H production facilities and initial hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, with a target of establishing a hydrogen ecosystem in Hong Kong by the end of 2030. The project site is expected to be confirmed by 2027, followed by facility design work.

Meanwhile, the Group continues hydrogen-related projects in other markets. In Korea, it began operating HTWO Energy Cheongju this year, producing hydrogen from sewage sludge. In Indonesia, the Group is implementing a landfill-based W2H ecosystem project in cooperation with Pertamina.