Applied Materials, a global leader in semiconductor and display materials engineering solutions, is establishing a center to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation semiconductor technologies that will lead the artificial intelligence (AI) era, thereby strengthening cooperation and driving technological innovation across the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

Applied announced on the 20th that it will establish the 'Applied Collaboration Center Korea' in Gajang-dong, Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do.

The Applied Collaboration Center Korea will be a collaborative space where Applied engineers, key customers, industry partners, leading domestic research institutes, and academia can come together and collaborate.

This is expected to accelerate semiconductor research and development (R&D), foster local talent, and enhance industrial competitiveness.

This center is part of Applied Materials' global collaborative platform, Equipment and Process Innovation and Commercialization (EPIC), and strengthens its global R&D network alongside the Silicon Valley EPIC Center. The EPIC platform enables customers, suppliers, academia, and industry partners to collaborate on equipment and process innovation within a common research environment, focusing on shortening product development cycles and increasing the likelihood of commercialization.

“Korea is a hub and key partner of the global semiconductor industry,” said Prabu Raja, president of Applied Materials’ Semiconductor Products Group. “The establishment of this center will enable closer collaboration with our customers and accelerate the semiconductor technology innovations needed for the AI era.”

“The Applied Collaboration Center Korea will be a key infrastructure that strengthens the domestic semiconductor ecosystem,” said Park Kwang-sun, CEO of Applied Materials Korea. “It will play a crucial role in quickly implementing innovative ideas through collaboration between industry and academia.”