Water Korea 2025
HWP’s leadership visit and active participation at Water Korea 2025 further strengthened the Hungarian water industry’s success in Asia
Seoul hosted Water Korea 2025, one of Southeast Asia’s largest professional events dedicated to water and water management. In addition to an extensive industry exhibition featuring hundreds of exhibitors, the event also included an international conference.
Alongside scientific, industrial, institutional and water-sector experts from South Korea and Southeast Asia, Hungary’s water industry and professional expertise were represented at the highest level by the Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP) and the Hungarian Water and Wastewater Association (MaSzeSz).
Responding to the invitation of the Korea Water and Wastewater Works Association and the Korea Water Partnership, the Hungarian delegation attended the event not only as visitors but also as active professional contributors.
In their presentations, Dr Károly Kovács PhD, President of HWP and MaSzeSz, and Zoltán Horváth, Managing Director of HWP Nonprofit Ltd., provided an overview of water-infrastructure development in Central and Eastern Europe, European and international sustainability principles and trends, and the internationally recognised achievements of the Hungarian water industry. Some of the presented Hungarian solutions are already being applied in the Republic of Korea.
International cooperation and future developments
Through one of its member organisations, HWP has been active in the South Korean market for the removal of fluoride from industrial wastewater and drinking water for the past two years.
Hungarian-made technology based on regenerable adsorbents is particularly important for industries such as steel and aluminium production, fertiliser manufacturing, semiconductor and glass production, and the operation of coal-fired power plants—all of which may release significant quantities of fluoride into water.
Building on the success of fluoride-removal applications, Hungarian and South Korean partners are also engaged in professional discussions concerning the treatment of boron contamination. Several productive meetings on this subject took place during Water Korea 2025.
The parties further strengthened their successful Hungarian–South Korean business and professional cooperation at the association level by signing a trilateral cooperation agreement between the Korea Water Partnership, HWP and MaSzeSz.
The agreement aims to promote professional capacity development, knowledge sharing, and the education and continued development of the next generation of young water professionals. It is expected to provide further momentum for strengthening the international position of the Hungarian water industry.
During the visit, the Hungarian delegation also held numerous professional discussions with senior representatives of South Korean professional organisations and associations, as well as government officials, public-administration representatives and policymakers.
Shared challenges and common objectives
The Hungarian and South Korean water-supply and sewerage sectors share several similarities. Both countries face challenges related to ageing infrastructure, limitations affecting development and investment, and difficulties in attracting and retaining the next generation of water professionals. Their professional organisations and water-governance structures also show a number of similarities.
South Korean companies are present in several markets also targeted by HWP, supported by advanced technologies and tied-aid loan financing programmes secured by the South Korean government.
Hungary’s participation in Water Korea 2025 supports not only the expansion of the Hungarian water industry in Asian markets but also the development of wider global cooperation through HWP’s leading roles in ASEM Water and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA).
South Korean partners expressed their intention to engage with these organisations, potentially further strengthening the Hungarian water industry’s international network and creating new opportunities for cooperation across Europe, Asia and Africa.
The achievements of Water Korea 2025 and the newly signed cooperation agreement are expected to have a positive long-term impact on the global engagement of the Hungarian water industry and support the continued expansion of its export activities.
