South Korea names 10 'innovative water companies' for 2026 cohort

South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy designated 10 promising small and midsize water companies as the seventh cohort of "innovative water companies" on Wednesday.

The "Innovative Water Company Designation and Support" program aims to develop outstanding small and midsize water firms into globally competitive niche champions. Launched in 2020 with its first cohort, the program selects 10 companies each year and provides tailored support across the full business cycle — covering technology development, commercialization and overseas expansion — for five years.

This year's seventh-cohort call drew applications from 25 eligible water companies that met the legal requirements, including minimum thresholds for R&D spending as a share of revenue, export ratios and overseas certification records.

Over roughly two months, the ministry conducted a rigorous evaluation comprising a preliminary review by the Korea Water Industry Council, document and presentation assessments by the Innovative Water Company Designation Evaluation Panel, and a final designation deliberation by the Water Industry Technology Review Board, ultimately selecting 10 companies.

The 10 companies named to the seventh cohort are Duri Enterprise, Greentech I&C, JMI, CDC Pneumatic, SM Tech, Kukil Intot, Daehan Sensor, LSTS, Sambo Science and Dongyang Sugi Industry.

The 10 newly designated firms posted average annual revenue of 16 billion won (approximately $10.5 million) over the past two years (2024–2025). On average, R&D spending accounted for 5.1 percent of revenue, exports made up 12.9 percent of revenue, and each company held at least two overseas certifications. The cohort notably includes a strong representation of firms with AI and smart water management technology.

Representative technologies among the cohort include Greentech I&C's AI-based water distribution network management system, SM Tech's water hammer prevention equipment, Daehan Sensor's real-time measurement and control technology, LSTS's energy-saving membrane filtration water treatment technology, and Sambo Science's automated coagulant control technology.

For each designated company, the ministry will provide up to 100 million won ($67,000) per year over five years to fund a company status diagnosis and R&D strategy design, standardization of innovative products, local pilot application and technology verification, development of overseas-tailored prototypes, acquisition of international certifications, and overseas water market development.

"The innovative water company support program is translating into tangible results for Korean water firms entering overseas markets," said Kim Ho-eun, the ministry's director general for water use policy. "We will continue to provide tailored support so that water companies with strong technological capabilities can secure competitiveness not only at home but around the world."