The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Lee Jung-hwan), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, has joined hands with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI, President Joo Han-kyu) to localize next-generation reactor materials and advanced technologies.

On the 20th, the Korea Materials Research Institute signed a business agreement with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute for research on next-generation nuclear reactor materials and manufacturing at the Korea Materials Research Institute conference room in Changwon, Gyeongnam Province.

Established in 1959, KAERI is the only comprehensive nuclear research institute in Korea. For the past 60 years, it has led the way in nuclear technology independence and advancement, including the domestic production of heavy water reactor and light water reactor nuclear fuel, the design of the reactor system for the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant, the first domestically produced nuclear power plant applied to Hanul Units 3 and 4, and the design and construction of Hanaro, a research reactor.

The purpose of this agreement is to establish a cooperative system between the two organizations on their mutually owned technologies and to secure domestic technologies for various next-generation nuclear reactor materials and manufacturing technologies, thereby contributing to the development of related industries and entry into overseas markets. According to the business agreement, the two organizations will share information on cooperation in the fields of next-generation nuclear reactor materials and manufacturing technology, as well as planning and jointly participating in new projects.

In particular, this agreement is significant because it actively reflects the demand for research and development in related fields, such as the commercialization of innovative small modular reactors and advanced nuclear power systems based on the national strategic technology research and development (R&D) roadmap promoted by the government. As the two organizations establish a cooperative system, it is expected to provide practical help in various areas, such as domestic production of next-generation reactor materials and manufacturing technology, as well as creation of new industries and human resource development.

Regarding this business agreement, KAERI President Joo Han-kyu said, “It is essential for nuclear materials to prove their soundness in high-temperature and radiation environments,” and “The research cooperation between the two organizations in the fields of reactor component materials and manufacturing technology will advance the commercialization of next-generation reactors.”

Director Lee Jeong-hwan of the Materials Research Institute said, “The next-generation reactor materials and manufacturing field is an important future growth engine that will take over the nation’s future industries, not only in the nuclear power field but also as a core technology in the space field.” He added, “The two organizations will spare no support so that they can cooperate to contribute to related research as well as industrial development.”