Government and Private Companies Join Forces for Research and Development on 'Carbon Neutrality and Smart Sensors'

'Public-Private R&D Innovation Forum' Hosted by Ministry of Science and ICT on the 23rd

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government and private companies have decided to put all their efforts into research and development (R&D) in carbon neutrality and smart sensors.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the 'Public-Private R&D Innovation Forum' at COEX in Seoul, attended by CTOs and other technology executives from over 70 companies in the fields of carbon neutrality and smart sensors.

This forum was held to create a new chapter of public-private R&D cooperation that allows private companies, which drive national economic growth in the era of 100 trillion won in national R&D, to actively participate in government research and development projects.

Earlier, in March, a private R&D council for carbon neutrality and smart sensor fields was launched, and through meetings involving corporate R&D executives and working-level staff, a strategic report was published containing 94 technology development demands and key policy and system improvement suggestions. The report included the technology development demands and recommendations of the companies to realize carbon neutrality by 2050 and foster the smart sensor industry.

In the carbon neutrality sector, urgent development needs were identified for technologies such as limestone and bituminous coal alternatives for industrial process innovation in high carbon-emission industries, hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology, and technology for utilizing process by-products. In the smart sensor sector, the need for technology development for LIDAR (Laser Detection And Ranging) sensors for autonomous vehicles and composite sensors for battery diagnostics was raised.

The technology development demands presented by companies at this forum will be reflected in the national R&D mid- to long-term investment strategies, annual R&D investment directions, and the 'Carbon Neutral Technology Innovation Strategic Roadmap' (scheduled to be announced in December). They will be used as criteria for the allocation and adjustment of government R&D budgets and the planning of new projects.

At the forum, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony was also held to establish a continuous cooperation system between companies and between companies and research institutes to achieve the common goal of carbon neutrality.

At the event, Koo Ja-kyun, Chairman of the Korea Industrial Technology Association, emphasized, "The private R&D council is an important opportunity for the private sector to participate regularly in national R&D policies, and it is crucial for the public and private sectors to unite as 'one team' and pool their strengths." Lee Kyung-soo, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "To overcome crises such as technological hegemony competition and carbon neutrality, the partnership between the government and the private sector is more important than ever," adding, "We will continue to expand public-private collaboration systems across various fields to match the era of 100 trillion won in national R&D."