The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), led by President Lee Sang-mok, has transferred the original technology of an aluminum alloy material called “ECO-Almag” to APS, chaired by Jung Ki-ro, for 3 billion Korean won. On the 16th, at the main center in Cheonan, KITECH held a technology transfer agreement ceremony and officially transferred the patent rights for the plate manufacturing technology of the ECO-Almag alloy, according to an announcement made on the 17th.
APS, which is a mid-sized company specializing in the production of semiconductor and display equipment, plans to use the acquired rights to expand its business into areas such as defense, secondary batteries, semiconductors, displays, IT, and future mobility.
KITECH will receive 3 billion won as a fee for the transfer and will also receive royalties based on sales generated from the technology. Unlike the declining trend in steel, aluminum is a key material experiencing an annual growth rate of over 3%. It is over 30% lighter than steel of the same volume, enhancing fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and weight reduction when used in components, making it highly valued in the advanced mobility sector.
However, during the manufacturing process, magnesium is mixed with aluminum to enhance its strength, but the beryllium used in controlling the oxidation of magnesium is a known carcinogen. In response, Senior Researcher Kim Se-gwang from KITECH’s Material Supply Chain Research Division developed a world-first oxidation control technology using calcium oxide. This innovation enables the stable manufacture of aluminum-magnesium alloys without toxic additives, securing the original ECO-Almag technology. The process is not only environmentally friendly but also surpasses the properties of existing aluminum alloys.
KITECH President Lee Sang-mok stated, “Despite possessing the core technology for eco-friendly production of high-value aluminum plates, we have relied entirely on imports due to the absence of domestic producers.” He expressed hope that the combination of KITECH’s foundational technology and APS’s commercialization capabilities will domesticize these high-value aluminum plates and establish an aluminum supply chain as a strategic national material.
Senior Researcher Kim Se-gwang explained, “While steel was the symbol of the internal combustion engine era, aluminum is essential in the era of electrified mobility.” He forecasted that if the ECO-Almag material becomes commercialized, it will become a key competitive material across future mobile platforms including EVs, UAMs, drones, secondary battery housings, IT, marine components, and even bulletproof armor.
The article is reported by Kim Young-jun (kyj85@etnews.com).