French industrial gases group Air Liquide will invest around €100 million to build a new hydrogen plant for Kumho Mitsui Chemical (KMCI) at Yeosu, South Korea. The facility is expected to start operations in 2020.

The steam methane reformer, to be designed, manufactured, owned and operated by Air Liquide, will raise output of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by about 50% and support the expansion of KMCI’s chemicals production at the site. Yeosu is South Korea’s largest isocyanate production complex and the country’s second largest industrial park.

Franҫois Abrial, member of Air Liquide’s executive committee supervising Asia-Pacific, said South Korea was an attractive investment destination in Asia because of its industrial base and strong innovation capabilities.

A formal investment decision on the project was taken in the fourth quarter of 2017.