Humaster introduces Humicon in Korea Build Event

A new type of dehumidifier has been developed that increases efficiency by 1.6 times using desiccants like the silica gel packets found in snack packaging. Unlike conventional dehumidifiers or air conditioners, which reduce humidity by heating or cooling the air and thus altering room temperature, this technology maintains indoor temperature, broadening its range of applications.

On the 4th, a research team led by Lee Dae-young, principal researcher at the Urban Energy Research Division of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), announced the development of this high-efficiency dehumidification technology. By utilizing desiccants, they achieved 1.6 times greater energy efficiency than the dehumidifying functions of conventional dehumidifiers or air conditioners—while keeping indoor temperature unchanged.

The discomfort of Korean summers is largely due to humidity. Moisture traps heat, prolonging daytime warmth into the night and sustaining tropical nights, even though the standard temperature for “tropical night” (25°C) is lower than the cooling range of air conditioners (26–28°C). High humidity also prevents sweat from evaporating, increasing discomfort and causing dehumidifiers and air conditioners to run continuously.

Conventional devices share the same principle: air passes over a cold surface where moisture condenses into water droplets. But both have drawbacks—dehumidifiers release heated air due to their condenser process, while air conditioners release cooled air, lowering the room temperature. In both cases, maintaining the original indoor temperature is difficult.

The research team solved this problem by developing a desiccant dehumidifier. Humid air passes through a rotating desiccant rotor that absorbs the moisture. The rotor is then regenerated using heat from the condenser, making the system energy-efficient. The team enhanced the system with their high-polymer desiccant material, which delivers five times the performance of silica gel. As air flows through the rotating rotor, it is dehumidified without a temperature change.

This technology was named Humicon. In certification tests conducted by the Energy Efficiency Laboratory, Humicon showed 1.6 times higher dehumidifying capacity than top-rated electric dehumidifiers while using the same amount of power. Because the desiccant filter regenerates itself internally, it can be used semi-permanently without replacement. The system also addresses common complaints about conventional dehumidifiers, such as increased room temperature and noise.

Humicon was selected as one of the “Top 10 Mechanical Technologies of 2018”, and to bring it to market, Lee founded Humaster, which began full-scale commercialization in 2020.

Lee emphasized, “With this high-efficiency dehumidification technology, people can enjoy summers without worrying about tropical-night power shortages or higher electricity bills. The technology is well-suited for hot and humid climates, making it effective not only in Korea but also in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, and across the Americas.”