South Korean cable manufacturer LS Cable & System plans to enter the hydrogen value chain by pursuing the localization of non-metallic hydrogen pipes as a national project together with the Korea Gas Safety Corporation.
According to LS Cable & System, non-metallic hydrogen pipe technology solves the brittleness (a phenomenon in which hydrogen destroys the inside of the metal) and corrosion problems of existing metal pipes, and it improves safety through the use of plastic composite materials with high strength and flexibility.
These pipes can be produced and transported at lengths of 150 meters or more, LS Cable & System said, claiming that this is much more economical than metal pipes, which come in lengths of 10 to 12 meters.
The company plans to further enhance safety by monitoring areas where abnormalities may occur in real time through the “world’s first” hydrogen pipe real-time diagnostic technology developed using optical cables.
Lee In-ho, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LS Cable & System, commented: “Non-metallic hydrogen pipes are a key technology that will help bring in the hydrogen economy era. We plan to expand our business to the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of hydrogen pipes to provide turnkey solutions.”
To note, this project will be carried out based on LS Cable & System’s long-distance cable production technology and material research experience, with the aim of completing prototype production in 2026 and verification testing in 2028.