'Dream Catalyst' Commercialization of Gold Nanocatalysts... Mass Production Imminent
Jungjinkong Solves Challenges with 'SME Innovation Voucher' Support
A catalyst is a substance that regulates the speed of a chemical reaction faster or slower without itself changing. According to market research firm Future Market Insights (FMI), the global environmental catalyst market, which was approximately 48 trillion KRW in 2022, is expected to grow to about 74 trillion KRW by 2032, ten years later. This is because countries worldwide are strengthening pollution regulations such as emissions in response to climate change, increasing the demand for environmental catalysts. QuantumCat (CEO Kang Shinhyun) is a startup challenging this market. It has developed technology to commercialize gold nano catalysts, known as the so-called "dream catalyst."
On the 22nd, Kang Shinhyun, CEO of QuantumCat, said, "We have completed the development of mass synthesis technology for gold nanoparticles, core raw material self-production technology, and mass production technology for catalysts." The key is breaking down gold into nano units, which are one ten-thousandth the size of a human hair, and confining them in specially structured nano cages to prevent gold nanoparticles from clumping together, thereby securing stability. This results in higher activity than existing catalysts and activation at room temperature. Based on this technology, QuantumCat has been recognized for its expertise and vision in the environmental catalyst field. It was selected as one of the top 100 excellent startups in the materials, parts, and equipment sector in 2022 and as a target for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 1000+ Super Gap Startup Project in 2023.
QuantumCat stands at the threshold of a leap forward as a startup. CEO Kang explained, "The catalyst market is conservative, so securing references early on is very important. If mass production cases come out from the ongoing POC (Proof of Concept), scalability will increase based on that." However, gaps began to appear as mass production approached. Kang said, "Research and development is what we do best and have done consistently. But when preparing for mass production, there were many shortcomings, from quality control systems to marketing issues and mechanisms to protect the company in the harsh business world."
QuantumCat received support from the "Innovation Voucher Project" provided by the Small and Medium Business Corporation to fill these gaps. This project offers vouchers that allow high-growth-potential SMEs to use services provided by executing agencies in various fields. Consulting, technical support, and marketing programs can be freely used within the support limits.
QuantumCat received management and technology strategy consulting to ensure stable production of patented technology and product quality control, establishing an environmental management system and obtaining ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications. This enhanced its external credibility. Subsequently, together with patent experts, it sought patents that should be prioritized and filed three patents. Since last year, at domestic and international exhibitions it has participated in, it utilized technology introduction catalogs and websites created with Innovation Voucher marketing support. CEO Kang said, "We have filled the gaps in business from certification, patents, to marketing. Now that mass production preparation is complete, we will run to enter the global market as a major player."
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