Carbon Neutral Smart Factory Deployment Project to be Promoted

Welding, Plastic Working, Casting, Heat Treatment, Textile, Automobile and Trailer Manufacturing Industries
Medium-Sized Enterprises, Applications Open Until the 4th of Next Month... Government Support Up to 200 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Kwon Chil-seung, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and the Small and Medium Business Corporation (Chairman Kim Hak-do, hereinafter referred to as SBC) announced on the 11th that they will newly promote the carbon-neutral smart factory dissemination project and recruit participating companies.

SBC plans to enhance the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized ventures and promote low-carbon management transition through specialized smart factory construction support. The support targets six industries with high carbon emissions, including root technologies (welding, plastic working, casting, heat treatment), textile product manufacturing, and automobile and trailer manufacturing.

Specifically, they provide one-stop specialized support such as ▲energy diagnosis and design consulting ▲ICT-based carbon reduction process innovation ▲replacement of high-efficiency equipment. Through on-site evaluation, support companies are selected, and private energy management specialized institutions diagnose the current status including energy usage and loss factors. Based on this, SBC and experts provide consulting for building carbon-neutral smart factories.

In addition, they support manufacturing data-based energy management and process innovation solutions necessary for building carbon-neutral smart factories, related measurement and control systems, introduction of automation equipment, and replacement of high-efficiency equipment effective for energy reduction.

According to the level of smartization goals, types are classified and government subsidies are differentially provided up to 200 million KRW for advanced types and up to 70 million KRW for basic and same-level types. The total budget for this year is 3 billion KRW. Furthermore, for facility investments involving large-scale funds, they plan to facilitate smooth financing by linking with SBC policy funds.

Applications for participation in the project can be made from the 19th to the 4th of next month through the Smart Factory Project Management System. Chairman Kim Hak-do said, "As a specialized operating institution for carbon-neutral smart factories, SBC plans to expand the dissemination of specialized smart factories based on demand," adding, "In particular, through strategic support for high carbon-emitting industries urgently requiring energy efficiency, we will contribute to the early achievement of carbon neutrality."

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