Newswise — Amid intensifying world competitors for technological management in secondary batteries, a significant worldwide platform for world collaboration and trade engagement has efficiently concluded. The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT, President Lee Young-kuk) introduced that it efficiently hosted the “2026 International Forum on Next-Generation Secondary Batteries” from February 5 to six at the Seoul Science and Technology Convention Center, with the participation of roughly 300 stakeholders from trade, academia, analysis institutes, and authorities.
The discussion board was organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and hosted by KRICT’s Market-Leading Next-Generation Secondary Battery Innovation Strategy Research Group (Director: Myunghwan Kim, hereafter Ok-BIC). The occasion was designed to speed up the early commercialization of next-generation battery applied sciences and to determine a world cooperation community able to reshaping future industries.
As synthetic intelligence (AI) transformation (AX), humanoid robots, and autonomous electrical autos proceed to drive explosive progress throughout future industries, consultants from trade, academia, analysis institutes, and authorities gathered to debate methods for securing world management in next-generation secondary battery applied sciences—the power spine of those rising sectors.
Going past a standard educational convention, the discussion board was structured round two strategic pillars: “Global Collaboration” on Day 1 and “Industrial Commercialization” on Day 2, drawing sturdy evaluations for delivering sensible outcomes.
On the morning of February 5, the “Next-Generation Secondary Battery Roundtable” featured in-depth discussions on cooperation fashions between authorities and trade. Chaired by First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae of the Ministry of Science and ICT, leaders from Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Hyundai Motor Company convened to discover the nationwide function in world battery competitors and concrete pathways for producing tangible outcomes via collaboration between government-funded analysis institutes and trade.
Participants reached a powerful consensus that government-funded analysis institutes should function a central hub in securing basic applied sciences for next-generation batteries, significantly to assist superior functions akin to humanoid robots, autonomous EVs, and AI information facilities.
The subsequent “International Forum: Dialogue with Global Scholars” addressed concrete options to beat the limitations of lithium-ion batteries. Distinguished consultants, together with Professor Ping Liu of the University of California, San Diego, and Professor Masayoshi Watanabe of Yokohama National University, introduced progressive supplies design methods to enhance the lifespan and security of lithium-metal and all-solid-state batteries. They emphasised the significance of worldwide joint analysis with Korean scientists.
On February 6, Ok-BIC hosted a “Battery Industry Tech Partnering” session, making a sensible venue for commercialization-oriented discussions. During the session, Ok-BIC unveiled detailed roadmaps for its “Seven Core Super-Gap Technologies (7-Tool),” supported by a complete funding of KRW 130 billion via 2029. These embrace an ultra-high-energy-density (800 Wh/L-class) lithium-metal battery able to powering a car throughout Korea on a single cost, and a high-safety (400 Wh/kg-class) all-solid-state battery with considerably lowered hearth danger. Concrete plans for expertise switch and industrial collaboration have been additionally introduced to demand-side corporations.
KRICT President Lee Young-kuk acknowledged, “We will immediately reflect the urgent industrial demands identified during the roundtable discussions and the insights shared by global scholars into our research activities. As a bridge connecting government, industry, and academia, KRICT will fulfill its national mission to secure super-gap technologies in next-generation batteries.”
Ok-BIC Director Myunghwan Kim added, “Our goal goes beyond laboratory-scale achievements. We aim to deliver truly commercializable technologies that can serve as game changers in real industrial settings. Building on the strong cooperation framework established here, we will unveil world-leading K-battery core technologies by 2029.”
Meanwhile, in celebration of its fiftieth anniversary this yr, KRICT arrange a commemorative photograph zone at the discussion board and supplied specifically produced souvenirs to all individuals. Attendees joined in celebrating KRICT’s half-century legacy whereas expressing assist for the institute’s subsequent 50 years of innovation pushed by next-generation battery applied sciences.
Looking forward, Ok-BIC will proceed its strategic efforts to strengthen the world competitiveness of next-generation secondary battery applied sciences via sustained analysis and collaboration, contributing to Korea’s management in the world battery market.
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KRICT is a non-profit analysis institute funded by the Korean authorities. Since its basis in 1976, KRICT has performed a number one function in advancing nationwide chemical applied sciences in the fields of chemistry, materials science, environmental science, and chemical engineering. Now, KRICT is shifting ahead to turn out to be a globally main analysis institute tackling the most difficult points in the area of Chemistry and Engineering and can proceed to meet its function in creating chemical applied sciences that profit the complete world and contribute to sustaining a wholesome planet. More detailed data on KRICT might be discovered at https://www.krict.re.kr/eng/