The Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) is specialized in the planning, evaluation and management of research and development in the field of industrial technologies in South Korea. The focus of the funding activities is the demand of the industry as well as the marketability of technologies.

“South Korea has been an important strategic partner of Fraunhofer IKTS for years. KEIT is a key driver of industrial transformation in South Korea,” emphasizes IKTS Institute Director Prof. Alexander Michaelis. “For IKTS, KEIT is thus the perfect partner on our way to develop sustainable and economic solutions for the global challenges of resource scarcity, energy transition and digitalization and to transfer them into application. IKTS contributes to the cooperation in particular its know-how in the fields of energy and environmental technologies, green hydrogen and non-destructive testing.”

Together, the partners are establishing a German-Korean Center for Technology Cooperation at Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden. This will act as a coordinating body for R&D cooperation between Fraunhofer IKTS but also other Fraunhofer institutes, universities and companies from Germany and Korean research and industrial partners. The center identifies technology requirements and funding programs for joint projects, provides support in project initiation and technology transfer, and participates in the project review process in both countries.

Through joint seminars and workshops, Fraunhofer IKTS and KEIT also want to further promote networking between the German and Korean partners. Fraunhofer IKTS coordinates the activities in Germany. KEIT provides a staff member for the center and also supports the facility financially. The first German-Korean R&D projects are expected to start in 2024.

“We are currently on a delegation tour under my leadership through Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The many talks we have had so far confirm impressively the enormous potential of economic cooperation with these countries,” says Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs and Deputy Minister President Dulig.

“Saxony is perceived as one of the most dynamically growing business locations in Europe. This is true not only for the area of microelectronics – where we are perceived as representing Europe – but also for many other growth markets, such as energy and environmental technologies.

We welcome the initiative of Fraunhofer IKTS to establish a German-Korean Cooperation Center with KEIT. Germany and South Korea not only share the same values, economic and security interests, but also face the same global challenges, whether in the fields of energy or mobility transition. The new cooperation center will contribute to linking our Saxon researchers more closely with the Korean researchers and to deepen cooperation in the interest of our two countries.”