As instability in energy supply chains grows due to conflicts in the Middle East and the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, foreign companies are increasingly seeking domestic eco-friendly technologies. South Korean firms are exploring opportunities in overseas markets, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, by showcasing their resource recycling and renewable energy technologies.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced that it held an export consultation event linked to the '2026 GreenEnerTEC' exhibition from August 5 to 6 at the Songdo Convensia in Incheon.
Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Incheon Metropolitan City, the event was co-organized by KOTRA and the Incheon Tourism Organization. A total of 15 buyers from countries including Vietnam, Serbia, China, and Kuwait conducted 124 export consultations with 60 domestic companies.
Now in its fifth year, GreenEnerTEC is a specialized exhibition for business-to-business transactions in the environmental and renewable energy sectors. The exhibition runs from August 5 to 7, featuring approximately 130 companies and 250 booths showcasing products and solutions related to carbon neutrality, water treatment, renewable energy, and eco-friendly plastics.
During the consultations, inquiries were made not only about energy production technologies but also about solutions applicable to urban infrastructure, such as waste management and resource recycling.
Aritech Bio, which has developed food waste recycling solutions, discussed collaboration opportunities with local buyers involved in Kuwait's smart city project. They explored the potential for supplying waste management technologies for urban development projects in the Middle East.
Daesin MC, a manufacturer of industrial cleaning equipment, consulted with six overseas companies, including those from Nigeria and Kuwait. They signed business agreements with some buyers and agreed to discuss future product supply and local business cooperation.
By hosting the exhibition alongside the consultation event, overseas buyers were able to directly assess products and technologies. On the second day of the consultations, buyers visited the exhibition booths of domestic companies for further discussions.
A representative from Kuwait Sunrise Corporation stated, "We participated again because we had previously discovered trading partners through GreenEnerTEC. We hope to engage with more Korean companies."
The International Energy Agency has analyzed that energy supply disruptions due to conflicts in the Middle East are reshaping investment plans across countries and highlighting the importance of energy security and supply chain diversification.
While the global energy transition market is expanding, actual export success from consultations will depend on local certifications, price competitiveness, and after-sales support systems. The smart city and renewable energy sectors often involve projects initiated by governments and public institutions, making collaboration with local operators crucial for securing contracts.
Kim Sam-soo, head of KOTRA's Incheon Support Center, remarked, "As supply chain instability continues, foreign companies are paying attention to eco-friendly and energy transition technologies. We will strengthen demand discovery and on-site support to help domestic companies enter overseas supply chains."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.