[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 26th that it has secured a budget of 10.6 billion KRW to support research and development (R&D) aimed at reducing fine dust and is recruiting participating companies.
This support project was established to develop fine dust reduction technologies focused on small business sites and everyday living spaces. It provides technology development funds of up to 250 million KRW per project for a maximum of one year to companies wishing to develop and nurture technology.
The R&D support targets were limited to reduction technologies applicable to small manufacturing sites with annual pollutant emissions under 10 tons, and 25 multi-use facilities, schools, and restaurants subject to indoor air quality management laws, thereby strengthening differentiation.
Through inter-ministerial collaboration, among the 25 detailed technologies in the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Fine Dust Technology Roadmap,' six practical technology developments applicable to commercialization will be strategically supported based on the technologies companies wish to pursue.
With the strengthening of respiratory-related personal hygiene due to the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, 'personal wearable exposure reduction devices' such as hygiene masks have also been included in the strategic technologies to enhance R&D support.
If the excellence of the technologies developed through this project is proven, commercialization funds such as those from the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency's commercialization policy funds and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation will be linked and supported. Follow-up support will be provided until the technologies developed by companies are commercialized. To promote the dissemination and expansion of excellent results among successful technology development projects, linkage support with the Ministry of Environment's 'Innovative Equipment Commercialization Support Project' will also be pursued to drive corporate growth.
Applications from small businesses wishing to participate in the project will be accepted starting from the 27th. Applications can be submitted online through the Small and Medium Business Technology Development Project Integrated Management System website.
Cha Jeonghun, Director of the Startup Venture Innovation Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "We hope this will be an opportunity to move away from a fine dust-related industrial ecosystem centered on medium and large enterprises, promote technology development activities of small businesses, and achieve technology development that significantly improves air quality in small manufacturing and everyday living spaces."
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