KIMM and NRCan sign MoU on clean technology cooperation

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Seog-Hyeon Ryu, hereinafter “KIMM”), under the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), is expanding its global joint research efforts in clean technologies, including resource circulation and energy transition. Notably, the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Natural Resources Canada (Director General of Innovation Daniel Dufour, NRCan), a federal government department, establishes a new platform for international collaboration in sustainable resource technologies and supports the strategic expansion of KIMM’s global R&D network.

On July 29 (Tuesday), KIMM signed the MoU with NRCan in Montréal, Canada, to collaborate on technologies related to resource recovery and environmental sustainability. NRCan is a key science and technology department within the Canadian federal government, responsible for developing national policies and strategies as well as conducting innovative science and research in the areas of energy, critical mineral recovery, natural resources, and the environment.

The MoU outlines collaboration in the following areas: ▲ Joint research on ammonia recovery and removal technologies, ▲ Information exchange on battery material recovery and industrial waste treatment, and ▲ Organization of joint workshops and expert exchange programs. Through this partnership, the two institutions aim to generate tangible technological outcomes that contribute to the global transition to carbon neutrality. The MoU marks a significant step forward in KIMM’s international cooperation in energy and environmental research and is expected to serve as a foundation for future multilateral research initiatives.

Prior to the signing, on July 28 (Monday), KIMM visited the Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre (AMTC) of the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Canada’s largest federal research organization. Discussions centered on collaboration in intelligent manufacturing automation, composite-based aircraft production, and maintenance technologies. During the visit, they met with Ibrahim Yimer, Vice President of the Transportation and Manufacturing Division at NRC, along with affiliated researchers, to explore potential collaboration in the field of intelligent manufacturing processes. The institutions also explored organizing technical seminars and facilitating researcher exchanges to establish practical collaboration frameworks.

KIMM also visited MILA (Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms), one of the world’s leading AI research institutes, to discuss joint research in advanced manufacturing AI, data-driven foundational research, and AI–robotics convergence. With MILA’s expertise in reinforcement learning, machine learning, and embodied AI, the collaboration is expected to support the development of AI solutions tailored for Korean manufacturing environments.

In addition, from July 28 to August 1, KIMM participated in CKC 2025 (Canada–Korea Conference on Science and Technology) held in Montreal. KIMM co-organized an international collaboration session, presented key research achievements, and expanded its North American R&D network. During the “Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Utilization Technologies Session (KIER–KIMM),” KIMM showcased performance and economic analysis results of high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC) systems, underscoring Korea’s leadership in hydrogen technology. At the “Korea–Canada Industrial Technology Cooperation Seminar,” discussions focused on strategies to generate joint R&D outcomes and enhance bilateral innovation synergy.

President Seog-Hyeon Ryu of KIMM stated, “This partnership with Canada marks a significant milestone in advancing collaboration with world-leading institutions in clean technology, aerospace manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. KIMM will continue to drive global joint research and technology diplomacy, contributing to carbon neutrality and expanding the global footprint of Korea’s advanced machinery technologies.”

Attachment:

Photo 1: Signing of the MoU between KIMM and NRCan
Photo 2: Visit to NRC AMTC and Discussion on Intelligent Manufacturing Cooperation
Photo 3: Visit to MILA and Discussion on Technological Cooperation

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The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) is a non-profit government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its foundation in 1976, KIMM is contributing to economic growth of the nation by performing R&D on key technologies in machinery and materials, conducting reliability test evaluation, and commercializing the developed products and technologies.