[Interview] Na Pyeong-cheol, CEO of Engine Techwin Co., Ltd.—which received European certification for its 50kW-class LPG engine: “With superior power performance, we have secured a strong competitive edge.” > Notice

[Gas News = Reporter Park Gwi-cheol] “Air quality in Korea is at a very poor level—to the extent that wearing face masks had become commonplace even before the COVID-19 pandemic. While the adoption of electric vehicles is accelerating globally, the construction machinery market remains heavily reliant on diesel-powered equipment, which contributes to even higher levels of fine dust emissions. At such a critical time, I am truly delighted and proud that our eco-friendly, LPG-fueled engine—which meets the European ‘Stage V’ emission standards—can contribute to the reduction of fine dust.”

Na Pyeong-cheol (61), CEO of Engine Techwin Co., Ltd.—the company that developed an LPG engine for construction machinery compliant with the Stage V fine-dust reduction standards and successfully passed European certification—expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Environment and other relevant authorities for their active support throughout the entire research and development process.

“For a small or medium-sized enterprise, it is often difficult to develop and commercialize a product based solely on technical capability. Thanks to the support we received during both the development phase and the subsequent commercialization process, we were able to focus entirely on development without major obstacles, which ultimately led to this successful outcome.”

CEO Na Pyeong-cheol emphasized that the newly developed 50kW-class Multi-Point Injection (MPI) LPG engine complies with the European Stage V emission standards for non-road mobile machinery. He noted that, compared to conventional mixer-type systems, this engine offers world-class performance, high power output, superior fuel efficiency, and exceptional reliability for construction equipment. He further highlighted that the engine is highly competitive, delivering power output that is fully on par with diesel engines. “This LPG (propane) engine is designed to replace diesel engines in forklifts, helping to reduce fine dust and exhaust emissions from non-road vehicles and thereby contributing to improved air quality in Korea. Furthermore, the LPG cylinder and mounting/dismounting system developed for these forklifts have been engineered for extreme ease of use—simplifying the frequent process of swapping out cylinders—while also incorporating safety features to prevent accidents during replacement, significantly enhancing both user convenience and safety.”

CEO Na noted that this engine is well-suited for construction machinery in the 2- to 3.5-ton class. He expects it to be applicable not only to forklifts but also to other construction equipment, such as loaders, excavators, and tractors, adding that the adoption of LPG engines across various types of construction machinery would also benefit the domestic LPG sales industry.

Pointing out that LPG-powered forklifts account for approximately 88% of the North American forklift market, CEO Na Pyeong-cheol argued that this high adoption rate is supported by environmentally conscious policies—a model he believes Korea should actively consider.

“Currently, there are no environmental regulations in Korea specifically targeting LPG forklifts; however, as environmental standards for construction machinery become increasingly stringent, we anticipate significant shifts in the domestic market. At present, Engine Techwin is pursuing participation in the Ministry of Environment’s engine-replacement program for aging construction machinery. Looking ahead, we also intend to work with domestic construction equipment manufacturers to integrate this LPG engine into their products, with the ultimate goal of expanding into overseas markets.” CEO Na Pyeong-cheol stated that while the construction machinery market—much like the automotive sector—is expected to shift rapidly toward electrification in pursuit of carbon neutrality, engine-powered construction machinery will likely remain dominant for some time. This is due to persistent challenges associated with electric equipment, such as limitations in power output, charging issues, and the short lifespan of batteries.

CEO Na emphasized that although promotional efforts had been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has now secured European certification. Moving forward, they plan to ramp up marketing for their developed engines, both domestically and internationally, by participating in various exhibitions and employing a range of other promotional strategies.

CEO Na explained that Engine Techwin is a company specializing in gas engines. Its product portfolio includes biogas engine generators—which produce power using renewable energy derived from livestock manure, sewage treatment, food waste, and municipal solid waste—as well as LPG engines for construction machinery and gas engine power packs designed for the Ministry of Environment’s program to replace aging diesel engines with LPG alternatives. He noted that to achieve "customer-delighting management," the company operates according to its "SPEED" philosophy—a set of five core values: Speed ​​(S), Passion (P), Empathy (E), Exactness (E), and Drive (D)—ensuring they listen to their customers and respond promptly to their needs.

Furthermore, he expressed his ambition for the company to contribute to a brighter future for the planet by developing technologies that can capture, store, and repurpose greenhouse gases (CO₂)—such as those generated from landfill gas or digester gas—as energy sources.

Source: Gas News(http://www.gasnews.com)