Factory waste heat is being transformed into high-temperature heat sources of up to 115°C, while low-temperature waste heat around 40°C—which was previously difficult to utilize—is now being harnessed for heating and cooling, drawing significant attention to domestic heat pump technologies. These innovations are expected to supply essential heat for industrial processes while expanding the recovery range of unutilized heat, ultimately reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The heat pump technologies developed by LG Electronics and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP), have been selected as two of the "Top 10 Mechanical Technologies of the Year in South Korea for 2026." Both technologies received their certifications on the 29th of last month at the "2026 Mechanical Engineers' Day" event held at the EL Tower.

LG Electronics' Oil-Free Industrial Heat Pump

The oil-free industrial heat pump developed by LG Electronics utilizes waste heat and electricity to supply high-temperature heat. According to KETEP, the technology raises the output temperature of conventional industrial heat pumps from around 90°C to over 100°C—reaching a maximum of 115°C—while achieving a large capacity of up to 1,000 RT (Refrigeration Tons) in cooling capacity.

The core of this technology lies in recovering waste heat instead of burning fossil fuels to generate heat, using electrical energy to elevate it to the temperatures required for industrial processes. By raising the output temperature, the application range can be expanded to processes requiring high-temperature heat sources.

This system is currently being operated and demonstrated in the paper drying process of a paper mill. This verification process validates the performance secured during R&D within an actual production environment, raising expectations for future application in other industrial fields such as chemicals and oil refining.

KIMM's Low-Temperature Waste Heat Utilization Technology

KIMM's technology focuses on utilizing low-temperature waste heat. It reduces power consumption by developing core technologies including a chemical sorption heat pump and an electrochemical compressor driven by waste heat at the 40°C level.

The chemical sorption heat pump adopts an adsorbent capable of lowering the required heat source temperature from the conventional 70°C down below 40°C. This is combined with an electrochemical compressor, which produces almost no noise or vibration, to further reduce power consumption.

This technology aims to utilize low-temperature waste heat generated in factories and data centers for heating and cooling. While LG Electronics' technology focuses on raising the temperature of heat supplied to industrial processes, KIMM's technology is characterized by expanding the utilization range down to low-temperature heat that was previously difficult to harness.

Future R&D Plans and Government Support

Building upon these achievements, KETEP plans to promote the development of natural refrigerant-applied large-capacity, high-temperature-difference heat pumps and customized design and operation technologies for industrial sites next year.

The initiative titled "Development of Eco-friendly, Large-Capacity, High-Temperature-Difference Industrial Heat Pump Technology Using Natural Refrigerants" aims to develop large-capacity heat pumps capable of supplying over 10 MW of heat to industrial facilities and district heating systems using unutilized low-temperature heat sources such as seawater, hydrothermal energy, and industrial waste heat.

Another upcoming project, "Development of Heat Pump Design and Operation Platform Technology for Industrial Process Heat Electrification," focuses on reflecting the diverse heat demands and operating conditions unique to each industry and process. The initiative aims to secure technologies that enable the design and efficient operation of heat pumps tailored to each site.

Lee Seung-jae, President of KETEP, stated, "This selection is a meaningful achievement demonstrating the development potential of domestic heat pump technologies. We will actively support R&D that can contribute to practical energy savings and carbon emission reductions, such as eco-friendly, large-capacity heat pumps and customized design and operation technologies for industrial sites."

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