- Cheomdanlab develops high-purity ceramics from discarded silicon

- Supply partnerships with French, Japanese firms take shape

Cheomdanlab, NTN Europe of France and UBE Corporation of Japan sign a three-way MOU. [Provided by the Korea Research Institute of Special-purpose Industrial Complexes]
Cheomdanlab, NTN Europe of France and UBE Corporation of Japan sign a three-way MOU. [Provided by the Korea Research Institute of Special-purpose Industrial Complexes]

A South Korean startup founded by a former government research institute scientist is partnering with major French and Japanese companies to pursue overseas supply contracts worth about 100 billion won ($74.6 million).

The Korea Research Institute of Special-purpose Industrial Complexes said Tuesday it hosted the "Innopolis Global Open Innovation Showcase" at the D-Unicorn Lounge of the Daejeon Science Complex, where it facilitated the signing of a three-way MOU among special-zone company Cheomdanlab, France's NTN Europe and Japan's UBE Corporation.

The agreement is significant in that technology developed at a domestic research institution has progressed through overseas proof-of-concept validation and investment attraction to reach a mass production and supply partnership with global firms.

Cheomdanlab is an advanced ceramic materials and components company founded in 2018 by Jang Ha-jun, a former researcher at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. The company has developed technology to manufacture high-purity silicon nitride powder and ceramic balls from waste silicon, and is pursuing entry into the global precision bearing market.

Silicon nitride is an advanced ceramic material with high strength, heat resistance and wear resistance. It has drawn particular attention as a key material for high-performance automotive components — particularly in hybrid bearings that combine metal and ceramic — and is used in electric vehicle drivetrain systems.

Under the agreement, NTN Europe will verify Cheomdanlab's technology and products and pursue procurement and supply discussions for hybrid bearing applications. UBE will support the expansion of Cheomdanlab's production capacity through strategic investment and technology cooperation.

Through the partnership, Cheomdanlab plans to pursue overseas supply contracts worth about 100 billion won. Specific investment amounts, supply volumes and contract terms will be finalized through future negotiations between the companies.

The foundation's overseas proof-of-concept support program was instrumental in bringing about the deal.

The foundation selected Cheomdanlab last June as a recipient of its European global proof-of-concept support program, providing assistance with overseas market entry strategy, identification of local demand partners and technology verification.

Building on that support, Cheomdanlab conducted technology verification with Germany's Fraunhofer IKTS and NTN Europe in November last year. In February this year, the company raised 4.5 billion won in Series A funding from domestic and overseas investors, including a direct investment from UBE.

The company has effectively built a global technology commercialization model linking overseas demand discovery, technology verification, investment attraction and mass production and supply partnerships.

"We will translate this partnership into tangible mass production and supply results, and leap forward as a key player in the global advanced materials market," Cheomdanlab CEO Jang said.

Christophe Nicot, NTN Europe's vice president for research and innovation, said the company would "introduce Cheomdanlab's technology to the hybrid bearing market, secure mass production capability for automotive products, and expand our presence in the electric vehicle drivetrain market."

Jeong Hui-gwon, chairman of the Korea Research Institute of Special-purpose Industrial Complexes, said the agreement was "a case in which a special-zone company's technology was validated in an overseas industrial setting and led to investment and supply cooperation from global firms." Jeong added that the foundation would continue to link overseas demand discovery, local validation, investment attraction and follow-on commercialization to help special-zone companies achieve real sales results in global markets.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com