On February 6, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) on the 5th to develop nuclear and ultra-low-temperature material technologies at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard.
Under the agreement, the two sides plan to set up a technical exchange and cooperation system and conduct joint research on materials and application technologies. Core areas of cooperation include materials and manufacturing technologies for molten salt reactors (MSRs), ultra-low-temperature materials and application technologies, and wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) metal 3D printing technologies. The two sides will also jointly plan and participate in new development projects.
Samsung Heavy Industries indicated that in order for environmentally friendly energy sources such as MSR reactors and hydrogen to be used as power sources for ships and commercialized, it is necessary to have material technologies suitable for transportation and storage, including corrosion-resistant material technologies to ensure MSR reactors, and ultra-low-temperature materials and application technologies for energy sources such as hydrogen.
Choi Sung-an, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said,“By combining our experience in technology commercialization with the original technology of the Materials Research Institute, we will be able to develop innovative and environmentally friendly materials and applications for the marine and offshore industries.”
Choi Chul-jin, director of KIMS, said, “We will continue to actively work with Samsung Heavy Industries, a global shipbuilding company, to help Korea’s materials technology gain recognition in overseas markets.”