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Cooling Tower Replacement Projects Increase in 2026

If you follow cooling tower tenders in South Korea, you have noticed something: replacement projects are on the rise. Recent government tenders include a wastewater treatment facility cooling tower filler replacement in April 2026 and an ICT center information and communication room cooling tower replacement project[reference:28][reference:29]. This trend reflects a broader shift in the Korean market toward maintenance and refurbishment rather than new construction. For plant managers, that means now is the time to evaluate your Tower Fill and plan for replacement before you are forced into an emergency situation.

Why Replacement Projects Are Increasing

The global cooling tower refurbishment market reached USD 4.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.8** to reach USD 7.0 billion by 2033[reference:30]. South Korea is a significant part of that market. Several factors are driving replacement activity:

• Aging infrastructure. Many cooling towers installed during Korea's industrial expansion in the 1990s and early 2000s are reaching the end of their service life.
• New energy efficiency regulations. Korean facilities are under pressure to reduce energy consumption, and old cooling towers are a prime target.
• Semiconductor industry demands. Korea's semiconductor fabs require precise temperature control, and old cooling towers cannot deliver the reliability needed.
• Water conservation requirements. New regulations on water usage are pushing facilities to upgrade to more efficient components.

In 2026, the demand for cooling towers that perform well and are also eco-friendly will dominate the market[reference:31]. Companies that prioritize water conservation, reduced power consumption, and longer operational lifespans will be at the forefront of the industry.

What Korean Buyers Are Looking For

I have worked with several Korean procurement teams on cooling tower replacement projects. Here is what they care about:

• Energy efficiency. Korean industrial electricity rates are among the highest in Asia. Every percentage point of efficiency matters.
• Water conservation. Korea is not water-scarce in the same way as the Middle East, but regulations on water usage are tightening.
• Durability. Korean facilities run 24/7, and downtime is expensive. Fill that lasts 5-7 years is preferred over cheaper fill that needs replacement every 3 years.
• Ease of maintenance. Korean maintenance teams are skilled but expensive. Fill that is easy to clean and replace reduces labor costs.

For most Korean applications, I recommend Film Fill Cooling Tower media with 19mm flute spacing. This provides a good balance of heat transfer efficiency and clog resistance. For semiconductor fabs with ultra-pure water, you can use tighter 12mm flutes for maximum efficiency.

Semiconductor Industry Drives High-End Demand

South Korea's semiconductor industry is the backbone of its economy. Fabs in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Cheonan run 24/7, and any cooling interruption is catastrophic. These facilities are driving demand for the highest-quality cooling tower components.

For semiconductor fabs, water quality is a major concern. The cooling towers often run on treated city water, but that water can have trace minerals that scale fill over time. I recommend using fill with a smooth surface finish to resist scaling. Also, install side-stream filtration to keep suspended solids below 5 ppm.

Another critical component for semiconductor fabs is the Drift Eliminator. Even small amounts of drift can introduce contaminants into the cleanroom environment. High-efficiency drift eliminators are non-negotiable. Pair them with a good Water Collector to ensure all water is captured and returned to the basin.

Case Study: Petrochemical Plant in Ulsan

A petrochemical plant in Ulsan was facing rising energy costs and increasing maintenance requirements on their cooling towers. The plant had 20 cooling tower cells, each with 8-year-old fill that was heavily fouled. The decision was made to replace the fill across all cells over a six-month period.

We supplied new high-efficiency 25mm flute PVC film fill, along with new Air Inlet Louvers and Air Intake Screens. The results: approach temperature improved from 5.5°C to 3.2°C, fan energy decreased by 12**, and water consumption dropped by 18**. The plant calculated annual savings of approximately 300 million KRW (about $230,000 USD). The fill replacement paid for itself in 14 months.

The Role of Government Tenders

Korean government tenders are an important part of the cooling tower replacement market. Recent tenders include a wastewater treatment facility cooling tower filler replacement and an ICT center cooling tower replacement project[reference:32][reference:33]. These tenders are competitive, and suppliers need to meet strict requirements.

If you are bidding on Korean government tenders, here is what you need:

• Certified performance data. Korean authorities want to see test results from recognized laboratories.
• Material certifications. You need to document the composition and properties of your fill material.
• Warranty terms. Korean tenders typically require minimum warranty periods of 2-3 years.
• Local support. Having a Korean representative or distributor is a significant advantage.

Maintenance Best Practices for Korean Facilities

Based on my experience with Korean clients, here is a maintenance schedule that works:

• Monthly: Inspect intake screens for debris. Clean as needed. Check water distribution nozzles.
• Quarterly: Measure approach temperature and compare to baseline. Check drift eliminators for damage.
• Annually: Perform a detailed fill inspection. Pull a few fill sheets and check for scaling or warping.
• Every 5-7 years: Full fill replacement. Korean facilities with good water quality can often stretch to 7 years, but do not push beyond that.

Do not forget about your Demister. In Korea's humid summers, visible plumes can be a problem. Make sure your demister and drift eliminators are in good condition.

Looking Ahead

The South Korean cooling tower replacement market will continue to grow as infrastructure ages and efficiency standards tighten. The global cooling tower market was valued at USD 4,446 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 6,619 million by 2033[reference:34]. Korea will be a significant part of that growth. Facilities that plan ahead and budget for regular fill replacement will have a competitive advantage over those that wait until their cooling tower fails.

We have extensive experience supplying cooling tower fill to the Korean market and can help you select the right products for your application. Contact us for a free consultation.