Sungman Kim, President of Korea Textile Development Institute; Jinwoo Kim, CEO of Samkwang Co., Ltd. & Samkwang WinTech Co., Ltd.; Yunjip Kim, President of Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Promotion Foundation; Chilseok Yoon, President of Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute

[Friday, October 24, 2025] Samkwang Co., Ltd. and Samkwang Won Tech Co., Ltd. signed a ‘Five-Party Industry-Academia Collaboration MOU for Advanced New Material Technology Development and Commercialization Promotion’ with the Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute, the Korea Textile Development Institute, and the Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Promotion Foundation.

This agreement aims to develop and commercialize new technologies for automotive parts and smart manufacturing based on the convergence of AI, new materials, and design.

Each institution will combine its core technologies, infrastructure, research personnel, and design capabilities to pursue various joint projects, including: ▲ Joint development of AI-based smart manufacturing and quality control technologies ▲ Research and development of lightweight automotive and eco-friendly new materials ▲ Collaboration on new product design and prototype production ▲ Support for demonstration, testing, certification, and commercialization ▲ Cooperation in specialized personnel training and global expansion

Samkwang Co., Ltd. and Samkwang WinTech Co., Ltd. will lead the optimization of manufacturing processes, productization, and technology commercialization based on accumulated know-how and technical expertise from manufacturing sites. They will also be responsible for durability verification and the advancement of design technology in the automotive parts sector.

The Korea Textile Development Institute will handle the development of advanced new material convergence and lightweighting technologies, including research on new high-performance composite materials for smartphone, drone, and automotive interior/exterior applications, and the commercialization of eco-friendly recycled materials.

The Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute plans to advance smart manufacturing systems through AI-based process data analysis, quality prediction system development, and joint research on smart sensors and control algorithms.

Additionally, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Promotion Agency will actively support global market entry by developing new products based on industrial design and user experience (UX), producing prototypes, and providing support for industrial exhibitions and branding.

Following the MOU signing ceremony, CEO Jinwoo Kimstated, “This agreement marks the starting point for future manufacturing innovation combining AI, new materials, and design.” He added, "While Samkwang possesses experience and technological capabilities as a manufacturing specialist, design and IT are relatively weaker areas. We believe this agreement will serve as a starting point to learn and grow in these areas. We ask for the guidance and advice of each institution so we can learn extensively and cooperate effectively."

Chilseok Yoon, President of the Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute, emphasized, “For the success of this cooperation, three things are crucial: first, building consensus on ‘why we must do this’; second, setting a single shared goal; and third, having a clear plan for execution.” He added, “We will actively participate to help Samkwang grow globally.”

Yunjip Kim, Director of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Promotion Agency, stated, “We will actively support the joint planning of Samkwang's new products to enable the creation of Samkwang's own products,” adding, “We hope this agreement leads to positive outcomes.”

This agreement further strengthens Samkwang's industry-academia-research collaboration ecosystem and supports the sustainable development of the regional industry.

Sungman Kim, President of the Korea Textile Development Institute, stated, “This agreement will be pursued with concrete goals and capabilities by each institution, and we will strive to ensure tangible results are achieved.”

Yoon Chil-seok, President of the Gyeongbuk IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute, emphasized, “For the success of this cooperation, three things are crucial: first, building consensus on ‘why we must do this’; second, setting a single shared goal; and third, having a clear plan for implementation.” He added, “We will actively participate to help Samkwang grow globally.”

Kim Yun-jip, Director of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Promotion Agency, stated, “We will actively support the joint planning of Samkwang's new products to enable the creation of Samkwang's own products,” adding, “We hope this agreement leads to positive outcomes.”

This agreement is expected to further strengthen Samkwang's industry-academia-research collaboration ecosystem and serve as a new turning point for securing sustainable growth and global technological competitiveness in the regional industry.

https://blog.naver.com/samkwang1947/224052604534

Group photo with participating companies and institutions' executives and employees