Advancing South Korea’s Desalination Industry: Expanding Membrane-Based Technologies for Global Water Security

South Korea forms a national coalition to advance desalination technology and global projects

South Korea has launched a public–private coalition to strengthen its seawater desalination industry and expand participation in global projects as climate change intensifies water scarcity worldwide. Led by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the initiative brings together about 30 members from government, industry, academia, and research institutions, including companies such as Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Doosan Enerbility, GS Engineering & Construction, Synopex, and Hyosung Goodsprings.
The collaboration aims to promote technology development, overseas market expansion, and regulatory improvements. A key domestic project supporting this effort is the Daesan coastal desalination plant, which will produce 100,000 tonnes of freshwater per day and serve as an operational model for Korean firms competing in international tenders.
Globally, desalination is becoming increasingly important as freshwater shortages grow. Reverse osmosis (RO) technology now dominates the sector, accounting for 87.3% of the global desalination market in 2024, largely due to its significantly lower energy consumption compared with traditional thermal methods. The global desalination market, valued at US$21.7 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed US$58 billion by 2033, driven by rising demand in water-scarce regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Author:  Taejun Kang