[NE Coffee Chat] Ttantan Carbon Tech: "Anyone Can Easily Trade Carbon Credits"

Operating a Real-Time Carbon Credit Exchange
Enabling Small-Scale Transactions... Reducing the Burden for Individuals and SMEs
Enhancing Trust with Multiple Certification Accounts Including Verra

What if carbon credits could be bought and sold in real time, just like stocks? Ttantan Carbon Tech started with this simple question. As the European Union (EU) prepares to fully implement the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2026, carbon emissions management has emerged as a key factor for global competitiveness. In this context, the startup Ttantan Carbon Tech has launched Korea’s first real-time carbon credit exchange, breaking down the barriers of a traditional market where small-scale transactions were impossible. The company aims to popularize carbon finance, making it accessible not only to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) but also to individuals.

On the 30th, Kwon Hanjoo, CEO of Ttantan Carbon Tech, said, "We operate a platform based on the voluntary carbon market," and explained, "While the compliance market controls carbon emissions according to government standards, the voluntary market allows companies or individuals to independently engage in carbon reduction activities and receive credits as a reward." These credits are freely traded after being approved by international certification bodies.

Kwon Hanjoo, CEO of Ttantan Carbon Tech, is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Lee Sungmin

Ttantan Carbon Tech operates two platforms: a real-time exchange and a marketplace for corporate clients. Purchases can be made in small quantities, starting from 1 ton, enabling SMEs to participate without burden. The marketplace targets B2B (business-to-business) demand, such as suppliers to large corporations, and supports customized transactions. A key feature is that domestic export companies can purchase only the amount they need, lowering the entry barrier. Kwon explained, "Typically, carbon credits are traded in units of 10,000 tons, which is much higher than the annual carbon emissions of most SMEs," adding, "For Korean SMEs, purchasing this amount of credits overseas is realistically difficult."

The greatest strength of Ttantan Carbon Tech lies in the reliability of its transaction quality. The company directly links accounts with major certification bodies such as Verra and Gold Standard, allowing it to hold and trade carbon credits. Among domestic startups, it has secured the largest number of international certification accounts. Given the past controversies over ‘greenwashing,’ where reduction effects were exaggerated through superficial projects, Ttantan Carbon Tech places particular emphasis on quality control. Furthermore, in consideration of the low accessibility caused by high membership fees on existing trading platforms, the company has boldly eliminated membership fees.

Ttantan Carbon Tech has also entered the carbon credit development business itself. The company is currently planning high-quality carbon reduction projects overseas, such as methane capture projects. Because methane has a greater greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide, capturing 1 ton of methane secures 8 tons of carbon credits. Kwon said, "We have the advantage of being able to directly provide high-quality credits at affordable prices," and added, "We are selecting and pursuing projects that are highly viable from a business perspective."

The company has also devised strategies to expand individual participation. Kwon stated, "In the long term, the market can only grow healthily if not only companies but also individuals can easily trade carbon credits and tangibly experience rewards for their activities." To this end, Ttantan Carbon Tech plans to further advance its real-time exchange and activate a structure where carbon reduction efforts are directly linked to rewards, thereby encouraging more transactions.

The company’s growth potential is demonstrated by its sales trajectory. Last year, Ttantan Carbon Tech recorded sales of about 60 million won, and this year, it has already surpassed 1.3 billion won. The sales target is 2 billion won. Kwon emphasized, "Carbon reduction is an unstoppable trend," and added, "We will continue to grow as a platform where anyone can trade carbon credits easily and transparently."