Kolon Industries Ventures into Space Business with New Material 'Atometal'

MOU Signed on the 4th Between Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources and
Targeting Application of Korean Lunar Lander Exterior Coating

Kolon Industries is expanding its business into space.

Kolon Industries announced on the 5th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation in space resource and terrestrial mineral resource exploration and development with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources at the Kolon One&Only Tower in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

Through this agreement, the two parties plan to develop new materials necessary for resource exploration and extraction in extreme space environments. This will support the development of materials for the Korean lunar lander, which the government aims to launch by 2032.

Kolon Industries possesses production technology for the next-generation material "Atometal." Atometal is an amorphous alloy material processed into powder form by irregularly structuring the atomic arrangement of various metals including iron and chromium. It has excellent resistance to corrosion and wear, and superior elasticity and hardness compared to conventional alloys. It was developed by Kolon's new materials specialized affiliate, Atometal Tech Korea.

Kolon Industries is considering applying this material as an external coating for lunar exploration robots and plans to conduct various verifications such as extreme temperature changes and vacuum conditions. The company aims to establish its position as a first-mover by entering domestic and international space industry networks.

On the 4th, at Kolon One & Only Tower in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Kim Young-beom, CEO of Kolon Industries (left), and Lee Pyung-gu, President of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement for space resource exploration.
[Photo by Kolon Industries]

At the signing ceremony, Kim Young-beom, CEO of Kolon Industries, said, “We expect synergy through open innovation with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources,” and added, “We plan to expand the proven material technology developed for space resource development to various applications in the future.”

Lee Pyung-gu, President of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, stated, “This MOU is a significant first step toward developing space resource exploration technology,” and added, “We will spare no cooperation and support to ensure that the excellent technology of government-funded research institutes is applied not only to government-led space development but also to space resource development.”

On the same day, Kolon Industries attended the Space Resource Exploration and Development Network Forum held at JW Marriott Seoul. The event was attended by 40 leading industry, academic, and research institutions in the field of space resource exploration and development, including Hanwha Aerospace, Korea University, Inha University, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

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