On the 16th, Samsung C&T announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hyundai Elevator at the Samsung C&T modular elevator R&D lab located in the northwest district of Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, on the 18th.

Join Soo (left) Deputy Minister of the M&E Division of Samsung C&T and Tae Won Lee, CTO of Hyundai Elevator, are taking a commemorative photo after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the advancement of modular elevator technology at the Samsung C&T Modular Elevator R&D Lab in Seo Buk-gu, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, on Nov. 16. / Courtesy of Samsung C&T

The signing ceremony was attended by Joo In-soo, head of Samsung C&T’s M&E Division (executive director), and Lee Tae-won, chief technology officer (CTO) of Hyundai Elevator, along with key personnel from both companies. This agreement aims to enhance the modular elevator technology jointly developed last year and expand its scope for use in high-rise buildings.

Samsung C&T developed the first-generation modular elevator technology applicable to low-rise buildings below 13 meters in 2021. Subsequently, in collaboration with Hyundai Elevator, it succeeded in developing the second-generation technology, which is an integrated core with buildings (below 40 meters high) for the first time in the country last year.

Based on its construction experience with the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa in the UAE, and the second tallest, Merdeka 118 in Malaysia, Samsung C&T plans to develop third-generation modular elevator technology that can be applied to high-rise buildings up to 500 meters tall through this agreement. This is intended to lead the off-site construction (OSC) trend in the high-rise market.

The modular elevator technology involves assembling approximately 70% of the components in module form beforehand, which are then vertically stacked on-site, only requiring finishing work like interior and exterior installations. This method significantly reduces the risks associated with high-altitude work, greatly lowering safety risks for workers, and can shorten the construction period by about 75% compared to conventional methods. Additionally, it allows for uniform quality control, resulting in less waste, noise, and dust generation.