Which Emission Type Is Your Plant?
Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act sorts emission sites into Types 1 to 5 by their annual volume of air pollutants. Type 4 sites emit 2 to under 10 tonnes a year, and Type 5 sites emit under 2 tonnes. Many small manufacturers fall into these two groups, including painting shops, foundries, food processors and plants running small boilers.
Small sites often hand self-monitoring and control-equipment management to outside contractors, so the compliance risk can feel remote. Before you look at any subsidy, gather three things:
The IoT Monitoring Mandate: Where Things Stand
IoT monitoring devices became mandatory for new Type 4 sites from January 1, 2023, and new Type 5 sites from January 1, 2024. Existing small sites are being brought in step by step. Check with your local government for the date that applies to your site.
These devices attach current, pressure or temperature sensors with telemetry to emission and control equipment so authorities can confirm remotely whether the equipment is running. In practice, running production while the control equipment is switched off leaves a data trail. Missing devices, faults left unrepaired or failed data transmission can lead to administrative action, so check the following regularly:
Three Support Programs: What You Can Get
Local governments generally run small-site support in three areas:
Support rates differ by local government and program. Some have announced plans to cover up to 60% of IoT device costs, while others cover up to 90% of control-equipment installation for Type 4 and 5 sites. These are examples from individual calls and don't apply everywhere.
Some local governments also run a separate maintenance support program for control equipment. Ansan City, for example, opened an additional round in 2026. This helps with running costs after installation. Most programs are announced early in the year and accept applications until the budget runs out, so applying soon after the call opens is your best bet.
What a Winning Application Looks Like
Common reasons for rejection or clawback are duplicate funding, removing or idling equipment after installation, and missing follow-up reports. That is why what you do after selection matters even more.
Year-End Checklist Before the 2027 Calls
When you consider a low-NOx burner, weigh the fuel savings and greenhouse gas reductions too. Check whether the same equipment is also covered by carbon-neutrality equipment programs so you don't run into a duplicate-funding problem. If your site has a serious violation on record, it may be excluded from support, so fix those issues first.
How KITIM Can Help
KITIM works with you from start to finish. We review your site's environmental compliance, match you with local support programs, help draft applications and estimate emission reductions, and check on post-installation compliance. If you want to know what support your site could get before the 2027 calls open, contact the KITIM consulting team. A consultant will review your site and walk you through a preparation timeline.