Government Invests 13.6 Billion KRW in Domestic Production of Standard Materials to Strengthen SoBuJang Independence

Completion of Development for 40 Strategic Standard Substances Within the Year... 12 New Substances Developed for Emerging Industries

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The government will invest 13.6 billion KRW this year in the domestic development of standard materials essential for the self-reliance of materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang) and strengthening the competitiveness of new industries.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 14th that it will complete the development of 40 strategic standard materials for SoBuJang self-reliance within this year and newly develop 12 strategic standard materials necessary to strengthen the competitiveness of new industries. Standard materials are reference materials used to evaluate and verify the components and characteristics of developed materials or to calibrate analytical instruments.

Through this project, the National Institute of Technology and Standards plans to develop strategic standard materials important across all industries, including advanced materials and medical fields, expanding beyond the previously gas-focused area, and enhance the distribution and utilization of domestically produced standard materials. Applications for the project will be accepted until the 15th of next month, and implementing organizations will be selected in March.

Since last year, the institute has started developing 40 standard materials necessary to respond to Japan's export regulations, such as semiconductor process hydrofluoric acid standard gases and thin film thickness standard materials for semiconductor display processes, in connection with measures to strengthen SoBuJang competitiveness. Organizations and companies developing these 40 standard materials by the end of the year will obtain certification as a nationally accredited standard material production institution (KOLAS).

This year, in the second year of the project, the institute will begin the new development of 12 strategic standard materials necessary to strengthen competitiveness in new industry fields, including infectious disease diagnostic materials, cathode active materials for secondary batteries, and surfactant-free emulsifying materials. The institute plans to cooperate with the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), and others to enhance the technical capabilities of domestic standard material production institutions and companies and to activate the domestic and international distribution of developed standard materials.

An official from the institute said, "Standard materials are not only essential for measuring the quality and performance of SoBuJang but also the source of industrial competitiveness that determines the future of advanced industries," adding, "We will strengthen trade security capabilities by domesticating commercial standard materials and actively support the overseas export of domestically produced standard materials."

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