Ministry of Industry Supports Innovation in 'Ppuri Industry' with Next-Generation R&D and Production Automation Assistance

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The government will support research and development (R&D) of next-generation technologies and expand the application of automation equipment in production sites to innovate the foundry and mold industries, which are part of the root industries.

On the 12th, Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, held a meeting with the root industry sector at the Mold Technology Center of the Production Technology Research Institute in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, and announced the "Three Major Innovation Directions for the Root Industry." The meeting was attended by chairpersons of associations from six major root industry sectors including foundry, mold, forging, welding, surface treatment, and heat treatment, as well as the president of the Production Technology Research Institute.

Minister Moon emphasized, "To proactively respond to changes in the industrial environment such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the root industry must shift from a quantitative growth model focused on cost reduction to a qualitative growth structure centered on technological innovation." He also revealed plans to advance the root industry into a future-oriented high-tech industry through ▲ securing next-generation root technologies to preoccupy future markets ▲ accelerating digital transformation of root processes centered on safety ▲ promoting the influx of outstanding talent into the root industry.

The government decided to expand the scope of root technologies to utilize various materials and process technologies. The amendment to the Root Industry Act for this purpose was promulgated last month, and subordinate laws and regulations will be revised in line with the implementation of the amendment scheduled for December.

Large-scale preliminary feasibility study projects will be actively promoted to secure process technologies required in future new markets such as electric vehicles, eco-friendly ships, and the hydrogen industry. The government plans to apply for the "Root 4.0 Competitiveness Enhancement Next-Generation Root Technology Development" preliminary feasibility study project in the second half of this year, with a project period from 2023 to 2028 and a total budget of 594.7 billion KRW.

To prevent safety accidents, the government will accelerate the intelligence and digital transformation of root processes by introducing digital remote control solutions and robotic automation equipment. For talent cultivation and influx, the "Digital Root Master Education Center" will open in the second half of this year, and working environments will be improved by expanding welfare and convenience facilities centered on root-specialized complexes.