[Edaily Reporter KIM EUNG-TAE ] “Sales of gas sensor safety devices are experiencing significant growth driven by rising demand for semiconductors. We aim to establish ourselves as a global gas sensor company recognized not only in Korea but also in overseas markets, led by the United States and China.”

Ha Seung-cheol and Byun Ki-su, co-CEOs of Senko (SENKO Co.,Ltd.(347000) ), recently met with Edaily at the company’s headquarters in Osan, Gyeonggi Province. “More than 100 types of gases are used in semiconductor manufacturing processes,” they said. “To prevent accidents caused by toxic gas leaks, gas sensor safety devices must be used, so demand for these sensors is bound to increase.”
SENKO Co.,Ltd., established in 2004, is a company specializing in electrochemical gas sensors and is listed on KOSDAQ. Founder and CEO Ha Seung-cheol established the company with the goal of localizing gas sensor safety devices, which had previously relied entirely on imports from abroad. His efforts bore fruit, and the company successfully developed electrochemical gas sensors using its own technology. Electrochemical gas sensors operate on the principle of detecting gas concentration by measuring changes in electric current when gas comes into contact with the surface of the electrodes inside the sensor; however, securing the core technology is difficult, and only a handful of countries possess this capability. SENKO Co.,Ltd. overcame numerous obstacles to secure gas sensor technology capable of detecting approximately 80 gases, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and ammonia.
Major products incorporating this technology include “fixed gas alarms” and “portable gas detectors.” Fixed gas alarms are designed to detect explosions and fires caused by vapors or gases in advance and are used in workplaces where there is a legal obligation to install gas detection and alarm systems. Portable gas detectors are carried by workers to verify that air conditions are safe before starting work.

In 2022, SENKO Co.,Ltd. officially began supplying fixed gas alarms to SK hynix. This year, SENKO Co.,Ltd.’s share of the supply has grown to the point where it is handling half of SK hynix’s order volume for gas alarms for its new production lines. Recently, the company has been expanding its sales channels overseas by conducting performance evaluations for potential supply to companies such as Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications equipment and semiconductor firm, and SMIC, China’s largest foundry, beyond the domestic market. CEO Ha stated, “Because we have internalized gas sensor development technology, our products are highly price-competitive, and our delivery times are faster than those of our competitors, which is why there is high interest in the global market.”
The company is also strengthening its position in the portable gas detector market. Following its entry into the North American market in 2019, the company entered the Chinese market in 2024 after obtaining key explosion-proof certifications. Recently, the company has been penetrating the global market by securing explosion-proof certifications in Europe, the Middle East, and South America, and establishing local subsidiaries in key countries. CEO Byun explained, “The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the global portable gas detector market is estimated to be 4–6%,” adding, “As safety regulations for workers are tightening in various countries, we are expanding our supply of portable gas detectors by obtaining certifications in multiple nations.”
With overseas sales set to increase in earnest, analysts predict that this year’s financial performance will show significant improvement. CEO Byun forecast, “Last year, SENKO Co.,Ltd.’s consolidated revenue reached 36.7 billion won; this year, it is expected to exceed 40 billion won, and this growth trend is projected to continue annually.”
The company also believes that the newly introduced co-CEO system will serve as a synergistic factor for global growth. Last August, SENKO Co.,Ltd. transitioned from a system led by sole CEO Ha Seung-cheol to a co-CEO system led by Ha Seung-cheol and Byun Ki-su. This leadership transition occurred after venture capital firm (VC) T.S.Investment Corporation became the largest shareholder last year by purchasing some of the existing shares held by founder Ha Seung-cheol and participating in a paid-in capital increase. Meanwhile, CEO Byeon, who had previously served as CEO of T.S.Investment Corporation, moved to SENKO Co.,Ltd. and was appointed as the new CEO, resulting in the current co-CEO structure. CEO Byun emphasized, “As co-CEOs, we will each take on specific roles in the two key areas of overseas market expansion and financial and internal control management to strengthen synergies.”