Chemical Industry Joins Forces for the 12th Chemistry Day to Promote 'Solidarity and Cooperation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Sung Yun-mo) and the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association held the '12th Chemical Industry Day' commemorative event on the 30th at Lotte Hotel Seoul, attended by Deputy Minister Jeong Seung-il of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and about 50 industry, academia, and research representatives.

At the event, a total of 14* chemical industry value chain companies, including major chemical raw material suppliers, new industry and specialty material and component companies, and demand companies, gathered to sign a joint declaration of 'Solidarity and Cooperation' with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. They also held a government awards ceremony to honor industry workers who contributed to the development of the domestic chemical industry through stable supply of materials and components, large-scale investment, and new technology development.

In particular, this award included contributors who helped stabilize the supply of raw materials for COVID-19 prevention products such as hand sanitizers and diagnostic kits.

The industry and the Ministry agreed to form a 'Chemical Industry Solidarity and Cooperation Council' to jointly pursue goals such as advancing the chemical industry, greening, and self-reliance in overseas-dependent materials. The industry pledged to focus on strengthening technological capabilities, achieving self-reliance in overseas-dependent materials through mutual cooperation between supply and demand companies, and developing eco-friendly materials and process operations.

The Ministry declared it would actively support excellent research personnel training, R&D for supply chain stabilization and securing new growth engines, and infrastructure construction. Following this, Deputy Minister Jeong Seung-il awarded medals, plaques, and presidential citations to nine contributors who contributed to the stabilization of materials and components supply and the development of the chemical industry.

Yoon Byung-seok, CEO of SK Gas, received the Silver Tower Industrial Medal for his significant contribution to the domestic chemical material supply through the construction of the largest PDH plant in Korea. The Bronze Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Kim Seong-nyeon, CEO of Pharmicell Chemical Division, who developed and produced Primers, components of COVID-19 diagnostic kits, and the Industrial Medal was awarded to Kim Jeong-su, CEO of Korea Alcohol Industry, for his contribution to expanding ethanol production, a raw material for hand sanitizers.

Additionally, Professor Park Jong-wook of Kyung Hee University and Executive Director Lee Dong-hee of Samhwa Paint Industry received the Presidential Citation, while Kim Chang-il, Head of Research at Acroma Korea, Lee Dae-woo, PL at LG Chem, and Senior Researcher Lee Seung-jong of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology received the Prime Minister's Citation.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's Citation was awarded to Gong Hyung-jun, Head of Bumjin Industry, representing 32 contributors.

Furthermore, an award ceremony was held for the 'Chemical Exploration Frontier Festival' for high school students to foster future chemical talents. The Prime Minister's Award was given to students Park Ho-jun and Kim Si-eun and teacher Lee Bong-hyung of Chungbuk Science High School for their research on visual diagnostic methods for the COVID-19 virus.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's Award was given to students Cha Min-jun and Do Se-heon and teacher Yoon Eun-kyung of Changwon Science High School, and the Minister of Education's Award was given to students Robel Adam and Jang Hyun-jun and teacher Kim Eun-kyung of Cheongshim International High School.

Meanwhile, the Excellent Guidance Teacher Award, presented by the Minister of Education, was awarded to teacher Kim Eun-kyung of Incheon Science Arts Gifted School and teacher Lee Sang-myung of Chungbuk Science High School.