GI Tech is working with Korea South-East Power (KOEN) to develop domestically produced key materials, components and equipment for wastewater recycling systems at power plants.

GI Tech said on Oct. 16 that it had signed an agreement the previous day at KOEN's Yeongheung Power Division to carry out a field technology research and development (R&D) project. Selected as the lead company, GI Tech will develop key components for electrodialysis reversal (EDR) equipment and verify their performance on-site over the next year.

EDR is a water treatment technology that uses electricity to separate salts and ionic substances from wastewater. Special membranes divide wastewater into purified water and concentrated wastewater, allowing the treated water to be reused for industrial purposes.

EDR systems at South Korean power plants rely heavily on imported components. Some parts have been discontinued or are no longer in production, creating maintenance difficulties. GI Tech aims to localize key components to reduce maintenance burdens and establish a stable supply system.

GI Tech plans to apply precision machining technologies developed in the battery, semiconductor and display industries to its water treatment business. The company will conduct a year-long demonstration at the Yeongheung Power Division to verify product performance and reliability. It is also considering expanding applications to wastewater recycling systems used in semiconductor, display and battery manufacturing processes.

"We will complete the on-site demonstration, contribute to the localization of key equipment and gradually expand our business into water treatment," a GI Tech official said.