APGREEN Opens U.S. Office in Seattle, Pioneering Sustainable Hydrogen Solutions

Seattle, WA (August 6, 2024), APGREEN Inc., a South Korea-based startup specializing in sustainable solutions for clean hydrogen production, today announced its new U.S. office location in Seattle. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into the American hydrogen market, underscoring its commitment to advancing eco-friendly hydrogen energy technologies. APGREEN Hydrogen solutions are in perfect alignment with Washington sustainability initiatives and policies.

Founded in 2022 by CEO Taeyoon Park and CTO Dr. Ali T-Raissi, APGREEN has developed an innovative non-thermal plasma-based onsite modular hydrogen system. This system converts hydrocarbons into clean hydrogen and solid carbon material, offering a dual benefit of hydrogen production and carbon capture. Unlike traditional methods, APGREEN’s approach does not require water, making it particularly suitable for deployment in water-scarce regions.

APGREEN’s hydrogen technology is designed for flexible deployment to remote locations such as animal farms where biogas can be effectively utilized as feedstock. The use of low-temperature plasma not only enhances cost-effectiveness but also simplifies the onsite hydrogen production process, facilitating wider adoption of clean hydrogen solutions.

“We are excited to establish our presence in Seattle, a city renowned for its commitment to clean hydrogen energy and innovation,” said CEO Taeyoon Park. “This expansion is a pivotal step in our mission to provide sustainable and cost-effective hydrogen solutions globally.”

CEO Taeyoon Park brings over eight years of experience in the hydrogen industry with the launch of two hydrogen ventures and $15 million of fundraising experience. CTO Dr. Ali T-Raissi, an American expert with over 40 years of experience in hydrogen technologies, has held prestigious positions such as Director of the Advanced Energy Research Division at the FSEC Hydrogen Energy Research Center and Associate Director at MetaVista Inc, where the two co-founders initially collaborated.

“We believe that innovation and collaboration are key to addressing the climate crisis,” said CTO Dr. Ali T-Raissi. “By working with partners in the U.S. and beyond, we aim to demonstrate the viability of our hydrogen technology at a commercial scale and contribute to global decarbonization efforts.”

APGREEN’s journey into the U.S. hydrogen market began in April with a presentation at the “K-Startups Meet,” a Greater Seattle Partners event in South Korea that laid the groundwork for its relationship with Seattle and Washington State. This was followed by a visit to Seattle in June for the “GreenTech Business Conference,” where APGREEN presented its hydrogen technology and engaged with key stakeholders in the clean energy ecosystem, including the Port of Seattle, Washington Maritime Blue, and Greater Seattle Partners.

“APGREEN’s expansion into Greater Seattle demonstrates our deep ties with South Korea. With eight sister city relationships in the region, and strong collaboration in key industries such as IT, maritime, gaming, semiconductors, aerospace, and hydrogen energy transition, our economic and cultural bonds continue to flourish. Our region boasts one of the largest Korean American populations in the U.S. with over 78,000 residents. In the past 10 years, Greater Seattle was responsible for generating more than $1.7 billion in foreign direct investment in Korea, while Korean companies invested more than $108 million in our region. Korea consistently ranks as Greater Seattle’s #3 trade partner with more than $77 billion in total trade over the past 10 years, further underscoring the significance of this partnership. We look forward to APGREEN’s continued success in Greater Seattle,” said Josh Davis, Chief Economic Development Officer and Senior Vice President of Greater Seattle Partners.”

The opening of the Seattle office at the K-Startup Center marks the formal commencement of APGREEN’s hydrogen operations in the U.S. This strategic move aims to foster collaborations and drive the adoption of sustainable hydrogen solutions across the region.

As APGREEN prepares to open its U.S. hydrogen office, its presence in the American market is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of clean hydrogen technologies, addressing both energy and environmental challenges.

The recent Department of Energy (DOE) Phase 1 award announcement further supports the favorable economic climate for hydrogen power development in the Greater Seattle Region. The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) received the Phase 1 award from the DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. This award positions the region to compete for a share of the $7 billion funding available for regional clean hydrogen hubs in Phase 2. The Pacific Northwest’s proposal, backed by PNWH2’s strong coalition, aims to establish a hydrogen hub that would leverage existing assets, infrastructure, and industries, creating hydrogen jobs and advancing environmental goals.

APGREEN’s expansion to the Greater Seattle Region aligns perfectly with the DOE’s investment in hydrogen power, creating a synergistic environment for clean hydrogen energy innovations and economic growth. The region’s commitment to hydrogen development, as evidenced by the PNWH2’s award, underscores the strategic advantage for APGREEN in establishing its hydrogen presence in Seattle. This confluence of favorable economic conditions, robust infrastructure, and strong policy support positions APGREEN to make significant contributions to the hydrogen economy in the Pacific Northwest.

APGREEN was recently selected for the prestigious TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup) in South Korea, a nationally-led initiative designed to identify and nurture the most promising technology-based hydrogen startups. TIPS provides comprehensive support to innovative hydrogen startups, including angel investor networking, business incubation, mentoring, and R&D funding. As a TIPS participant, APGREEN will receive invaluable resources to further develop its groundbreaking hydrogen production technology and expand its global hydrogen presence.

For more information, visit https://apgreen.net.