KOTRA Attends World's Largest Advanced Materials Expo... Launches Global Investment Drive

Collaboration with Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority and Korea Carbon Nano Industry Association

A platform for attracting global advanced materials companies has opened in Europe, the cradle of advanced composite materials.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), in partnership with the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority (GFEZA) and the Korea Carbon Nano Industry Association, held the “Global Advanced Materials Company Investment Promotion Briefing” at the “JEC World 2026” expo in Paris on March 10 (local time).

JEC World, now in its 60th year, is the world’s largest expo specializing in composite materials. This year’s event, centered around the core themes of “sustainability” and “circularity,” features exhibition booths from over 1,400 companies from 100 countries and is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors.

The main exhibition sectors cover the entire process from the production of composite materials—such as reinforced fibers and next-generation thermoplastic resins—to recycling, and encompass technologies and solutions essential to advanced industries, including semiconductors, future vehicles, batteries, and aerospace.

The importance of advanced materials has grown more than ever in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics innovation. For example, in the semiconductor sector, ultra-fine process materials are critical, while in the future vehicles sector, ultra-lightweight materials are key factors for competitiveness.

This briefing was organized to strengthen Korea’s innovation industry ecosystem by attracting global advanced materials companies. The event was attended by more than 50 representatives from global advanced materials companies and investment firms.

KOTRA first shared Korea’s advanced materials development policies and investment attraction cases, followed by GFEZA introducing specialized innovation industrial complexes such as the Pyeongtaek Poseung (BIX) District. The Korea Carbon Nano Industry Association presented the current status and outlook for Korea's carbon nano industry, while Hanwha Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. shared updates on advanced materials development and future strategies, exploring opportunities for global collaboration.

Tae-hyung Kim, CEO of Invest Korea, said, “Global advanced materials companies are well aware of Korea’s K-Advanced Manufacturing capabilities and recognize Korea as a major market. By emphasizing that Korea is the optimal investment destination capable of handling everything from advanced materials R&D to commercialization, mass production, and application, we will enhance the effectiveness of attracting investments in advanced materials.”

Meanwhile, following the briefing, KOTRA plans to visit a French global chemical materials company and continue its investment promotion activities in the advanced materials sector by providing tailored information to potential investors identified during the event.

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