The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM, President Ryu Seok-hyun) officially declared 'KIMM-NEXT 50' to mark its 50th anniversary and began a new 50-year journey to lead Korea's mechanical technology and manufacturing innovation.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), a leading research institute under the National Research Council for Science and Technology, held its 2026 commencement ceremony on the 2nd, announcing its future research direction and key strategies and presenting its vision of “Moving the World for 50 Years with Machines.”

At the opening ceremony, President Ryu Seok-hyeon emphasized, “The year of the red horse, Byeong-o, symbolizes progress and leap forward,” and “Let us move forward together toward the future of Korea’s mechanical technology.”

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) achieved meaningful results by focusing on establishing an AX/DX foundation, fostering representative brands, securing core technologies, and accelerating technology commercialization, with the goal of achieving "2030 Digital-KIMM" in 2025.

In particular, autonomous manufacturing technology based on multi-AI agent digital twins has been officially registered with the US Digital Twin Consortium (DTC) and has been recognized as a global reference model.

The representative brand 'KIMM Cyber Lab' is distributed free of charge through a dedicated website and has surpassed 1,600 cumulative downloads.

Through this, we supported the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises to manufacturing AX, created cost savings of approximately KRW 100 billion, and began full-scale expansion into the industrial sector.

In the field of core technologies, the development of large-capacity, long-term liquid air energy storage (LAES) technology has laid the foundation for increasing the utilization of renewable energy.

In the field of technology commercialization, we have also achieved notable results, including the establishment of the first KIMM-Fund by a research institute, the first deferred payment R&D system in Korea, and the launch of K-Partners, a new industry-research cooperation ecosystem.

By achieving the highest level of integrity awareness, the research institute's core value of integrity was also strengthened.

Director Ryu Seok-hyun defined 2026 as the “first year of preparation for KIMM-NEXT 50” and presented three key implementation tasks.

First, we are promoting a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our founding.

The Korea Mechanical Engineering & Construction Institute will hold various programs until the end of the year, including compiling a 50-year history, a commemorative ceremony, opening a history museum, and producing a commemorative video.

Additionally, we plan to enhance the pride of our members by improving the research institute infrastructure, launching the KIMM Alumni Association, and inducting members into the KIMM-FBO Hall of Fame.

Next is the full-scale promotion of AX/DX and strengthening of the representative brand.

Having completed the foundational construction in 2025, 2026 will focus on connecting the AX/DX three-axis system, including digital twins, machine data platforms, and virtual engineering platforms, to industrial customer value.

The construction project for the 'DX Hub', which will serve as the first AX/DX test bed in Korea, is also beginning in earnest.

Lastly, it is the implementation of the B·E·S·T management strategy.

Big Picture Management, Essential ManagementWe will strengthen Essence, Speed, and Talent management to stabilize the Research and Development Management System (KRMS), create an environment conducive to research, and spread a nationally immersive scientific culture.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) also announced its goal of achieving tangible results for the public by 2026 in future innovative core technologies, including humanoid robots, bio-autonomous labs, next-generation semiconductor equipment, carbon-neutral and carbon-free energy technologies, nanotechnology, and virtual engineering. The KIMM will also pursue the advancement of its technology commercialization platform through research institute startups and the establishment of research institute companies.