Policy Fit · Korean Green Transformation (K-GX)
K-GX grows CCUS, industrial decarbonization and the circular economy.
CARBON-U answers with demonstrated technology
On October 7, 2026, the Korean government announced its “Korean Green Transformation (K-GX) Strategy” — a plan to make green industries a growth engine, beyond carbon reduction alone. CARBON-U's C-PCC is a technology where the strategy's priorities meet in a single process: CCUS, decarbonization of key industries such as steel and cement, circular-economy regulatory special zones and regional green transition.
K-GX at a Glance
K-GX at a glance
A 10-year national green transition plan for 2026–2035.
Growth-engine K-GX
Ten green industries, decarbonization of key industries, stage-by-stage support for climate tech companies
K-GX for all
Regional GX hubs centered on the “5 poles, 3 special zones”; just transition zones
Sustainable K-GX
Climate finance and green treasury bonds, regulatory special zones via amendment of the Circular Resource Economy Act, fast-track permitting
Policy × CARBON-U
How CARBON-U's technology connects to each K-GX priority
For each policy priority, we show which CARBON-U technology contributes and at what stage.
| K-GX policy priority | CARBON-U technology · evidence | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Ten green industries — CCUS Focused support for technology development and domestic production | C-PCC: fixes flue-gas CO₂ in calcium carbonate without a separate capture unit (CCU). About 44% of the product mass comes from CO₂ Carbon mineralization → onshore storage in abandoned mines: mineralization and filling based on process residue + CO₂ (towards CCS) | Demonstrated Future |
| Decarbonizing key industries — steel & cement Hydrogen-reduction steelmaking demonstration; blended cement share 16% → 40% (2035) | Steel steel slag · Cement CBS dust (cement bypass dust) · Power Calcium from Class C fly ash turned into C-PCC — cutting both by-products and CO₂ from high-emission industries Process residue → construction · fill materials | Demonstrated Development |
| Circular economy — new regulatory special zones Amendment of the Circular Resource Economy Act | 2021–2023 CO₂ Regulation-Free Special Zone demonstration (program total KRW 17.7 billion) completed Tongyeong oyster shells → OCC · Bio CaCl₂ · high-purity CaCO₃ — a model for circular use of fishery by-products | Track record Pilot |
| Climate tech growth · fast-track permitting Stage-by-stage support, packages of up to KRW 10 billion for promising firms, fast-track for firms with core GX technology | C-PCC 4 registered · 6 pending patents (owner CARBONU Co., Ltd.), 3 national R&D projects, 3 KTR accredited tests, 5 t/day production verified — objective evidence of core GX technology | Demonstrated |
| K-GX for all — regional GX · just transition 5 poles, 3 special zones hubs; just transition zones | Tongyeong (Gyeongnam): local waste → local production → local jobs Filling abandoned mine voids · CO₂ storage in former mining regions — mine reclamation combined with carbon storage | Pilot Future |
| Climate finance — focused on regions and SMEs Regions 50%+ · SMEs and mid-sized firms 70%+ | A climate tech SME based in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam — reviewing facility investment linked with policy and transition finance | Under review |
This table summarizes how CARBON-U's technology relates to the government announcement. It does not mean CARBON-U has been selected for, or confirmed to receive support from, any K-GX program. Detailed implementation plans and eligibility may change with follow-up announcements by the ministries.
Why CARBON-U
Three things that set CARBON-U apart in the K-GX era
Demonstrated technology, not a plan
K-GX emphasizes demonstration and early market creation. C-PCC has already been proven through a Regulation-Free Special Zone demonstration, national R&D, 5 t/day production verification and patents.
Carbon reduction and circularity at once
CO₂ is fixed in products, and landfilled steel, cement and power by-products and oyster shells become materials. Two policy goals — CCUS and the circular economy — are met in one process.
A structure linking industry and region
By-products of the southeast's key industries and Tongyeong's fishery by-products are processed and made into products locally — in line with the regional green transition “K-GX for all” aims for.
Roadmap Alignment
K-GX timeline and the CARBON-U roadmap
Over the 10 years of K-GX (2026–2035), CARBON-U expands step by step from CCU to mineralization and storage.
C-PCC by-product demonstration · patents 4+6 · production verified → responds to K-GX CCUS and industrial decarbonization
Oyster shells 500 t/yr pilot · certification → linked to circular-economy special zones and regional GX
Bio CaCl₂ · high-purity CaCO₃ · fill materials → import substitution · low-carbon material supply
Onshore CO₂ storage in abandoned mines · Carbon Circularity Platform → the storage stage of K-GX CCUS
※ Years for NEXT and FUTURE are company plans and may change with pilot results and financing.
Sources
Sources
- Government “Korean Green Transformation (K-GX) Strategy” national briefing, Oct 7, 2026, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- ZDNet Korea — Government to invest KRW 1,000 tn in K-GX through 2035 (Oct 7, 2026, Korean)
- Electronic Times — “After AX comes GX”: KRW 1,220 tn to build a green manufacturing powerhouse (Oct 7, 2026, Korean)
- Financial News — Energy, mobility and housing toward a green future; KRW 220 tn corporate investment (Oct 7, 2026, Korean)
- ESG Economy — Government backs K-GX with KRW 1,000 tn over 10 years (Korean)
Figures and policy details are summarized from the reports above and will be updated when official ministry documents are published.
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