Demonstration of Carbon Dioxide Conversion Carbonate Utilization in Construction and Chemical Product Materials

Ulsan Carbon Dioxide Resource Circulation Regulatory Free Zone Project Launched

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Kwon Chil-seung, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and Ulsan Metropolitan City (Mayor Song Cheol-ho) announced on the 15th that they have started a demonstration project to utilize carbon dioxide-converted carbonates as construction and chemical product materials in the Ulsan Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization Regulatory Free Zone.

Until now, when carbon dioxide in exhaust gas was captured and utilized in the form of calcium carbonate, it was classified as waste called 'carbon dioxide-converted carbonate' under the Waste Management Act, which restricted its use unless handled by designated waste recycling businesses. Therefore, by receiving one demonstration exemption allowing non-waste recycling businesses to utilize carbon dioxide-converted carbonate, they plan to utilize carbon dioxide-converted carbonate produced by reacting exhaust gas with the industrial byproduct 'steelmaking slag' to produce construction and chemical products, and verify whether these products comply with the standards and specifications stipulated in the relevant laws and regulations.

Prior to the demonstration, a safety management committee composed of experts from industry, academia, and research institutes was formed, and to prepare for potential safety accidents during the demonstration, an internal safety management plan was established, and liability insurance and group accident insurance were also secured. Song In-hye, head of the Regulatory Free Zone Division at the Ministry, stated, "If the safety of construction and chemical products produced using carbon dioxide-converted carbonate is proven, we plan to discuss regulatory law revisions with the Ministry of Environment, the regulatory authority, based on the results."