Ministry of Science and ICT Selects Two Projects for Pre-Feasibility Study Priority: Nano Material Convergence and Steel Industry Rejuvenation

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 19th that it held the 4th Special Committee on Materials, Parts, and Equipment Technology on the 17th and selected two projects, the ‘Nano-Materials Convergence 2030 Project’ and the ‘Steel Industry Reboot Technology Development Project,’ as priority projects for preliminary feasibility studies.

The Special Committee on Materials, Parts, and Equipment Technology reviews related projects to enhance competitiveness in the materials, parts, and equipment sector and selects priority projects for preliminary feasibility studies. The newly selected ‘Nano-Materials Convergence 2030 Project’ and ‘Steel Industry Reboot Technology Development Project’ will receive additional points (between 1 and 9) during the policy feasibility evaluation phase of the preliminary feasibility study process.

Kim Sang-sik, the private committee chair, explained the background for selecting these projects, stating, “Nano-material technology is a core foundational technology for the materials and parts industry. This project aims to solve industrial issues and secure fundamental technologies through inter-ministerial and public-private collaboration. It aligns with policy goals as a representative inter-ministerial cooperative project.”

He also stated, “In the case of the Steel Industry Reboot Technology Development Project, it is a foundational technology supporting the competitiveness of key domestic industries such as automobiles, machinery, and construction. It is considered an effective strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises to develop capabilities in high-specialization and small-lot multi-product production of materials.”

Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved the agenda item ‘Plan for Establishing a Materials Research Data Platform’ aimed at innovation in materials research based on data. The plan’s main goal is to create an innovative ecosystem for materials research based on data to enable open and efficient research by building a platform for collecting, managing, sharing, and utilizing research data across all fields of materials.

To achieve this, the plan includes developing data collection and management technologies by application field, data-driven new material discovery and design technologies, and training next-generation materials experts based on data science.

Kim Sung-soo, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, said, “This priority review for preliminary feasibility studies is the first case applied after the institutional preparation process following the materials, parts, and equipment R&D investment and innovation measures announced in August last year. We plan to continue applying priority treatment to strengthen materials, parts, and equipment R&D capabilities.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.