Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has announced it has signed a three-year collaborative research agreement with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in the field of new energy, focusing particularly on the hydrogen energy business and advanced energy systems.

The South Korean automaker said the collaboration will focus on the development of alternative energy sources by leveraging its advanced energy technologies and applying them to Singapore's “unique characteristics”.

HMG pointed out that “Singapore, as a city-state, faces challenges in achieving carbon neutrality due to its limited natural resources and heavy reliance on natural gas, which accounts for 95% of its power generation. Singapore is expected to see a growing role for hydrogen energy and advanced energy system in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.”

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore’s (HMGICS) CEO Hyun Sung Park said in a statement: “HMGICS is a global hub for Hyundai Motor Group’s future mobility innovation. Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate our research in the field of innovative technologies, ultimately enhancing the commercial viability of our sustainable mobility solutions.”

The company further clarified: “One of the key areas of focus will be studying the adoption of hydrogen production technologies and businesses in Singapore. This includes the implementation of HMG’s innovative resource-cycle hydrogen production technologies: Plastic-to-Hydrogen (P2H) and Waste-to-Hydrogen (W2H) systems. W2H utilizes organic waste such as food and sewage sludge to produce hydrogen, while P2H utilizes non-recyclable plastic.”

On the same day HMGICS held a joint signing ceremony for the establishment of a tripartite research center with NTU and the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR). The Corporate Lab Program is set to conduct research in innovative manufacturing domains such as AI, robotics and 3D printing.