Dresden research institutes intensify cooperation with South Korea

The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, the Institute for Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology ILK of the Technische Universität Dresden, and the Korea Institute of Materials Science KIMS open a joint materials research center in Changwon, South Korea.

In the presence of the Saxon State Minister of Science and the Arts Dr. Eva-Maria Stange, the speaker of the ILK board Prof. Hubert Jäger, the director of Fraunhofer IKTS Prof. Alexander Michaelis and Dr. Robert Franke, head of the office for economic development of the city of Dresden, the joint Korea-Germany Materials Center (KGMC) was opened yesterday. Here, new materials systems, production processes, adapted design as well as testing and validation methods are to be developed and transferred to industry in the context of light-weight construction.

“This cooperation will further strengthen the international visibility of the excellent materials and technology competence of Dresden. I am sure that synergy effects will result from the joint research projects – that both parties will benefit from each other's technology know-how“, said Dr. Robert Franke during the opening.

As a start-up project, Fraunhofer IKTS and KIMS are jointly operating a test center. In addition, both research institutes are working on further topics such as the condition monitoring of wind power plants or the additive manufacturing of ceramics. ILK focuses on application-oriented methods for the efficient and robust design of lightweight structures and systems. Thus, the implementation of new technologies to industry can be realized within a shorter time.

Prof. Alexander Michaelis emphasizes: “With the KGMC, we will combine and strengthen the outstanding competencies of the cities of Dresden and Changwon in the field of applied materials science. We will closely coordinate the research content with German and Korean companies to ensure a rapid transfer into application, which will foster cooperation and strengthen the economy in both countries.“

Besides the scientific questions, the center will serve as a cooperation platform, which offers research services for the European and Asian market and finances itself through contract research, technology transfer and licensing.

The cornerstone for these promising German-Korean co-operations was already laid in 2015 and 2016, when Fraunhofer IKTS and KIMS as well as the cities of Dresden and Changwon signed two declarations of intent to establish a strategic partnership. For its part, ILK maintains a long-standing close research cooperation with KIMS.

Prof. Hubert Jäger underscores: “The founding of the KGMC was made possible by the close interaction of all parties. Thanks to the support of the province of Gyeongsangnam-do and the city of Changwon on the Korean side as well as of the Free State of Saxony and the state capital Dresden on the German side, the start for a research cooperation between KIMS, IKTS and ILK, which will bear many fruits, has been given. We are taking advantage of the German inventive joy with the Korean innovative power for a rapid industrial market achieving“.