Korea Zinc to Invest 200 Billion Won to Build R&D Center in Songdo

Construction to start at the end of 2025 and complete in April 2027
Chairman Choi Yun-beom emphasizes "Recruiting top technical talent"
"Will succeed in Troika Drive and eco-friendly smelting"

Korea Zinc is investing 200 billion KRW to establish a research and development (R&D) center in Songdo, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. This move follows the directive of Chairman Choi Yoon-beom of Korea Zinc, who stated, "We must create a successful model for eco-friendly smelting along with the company's future growth engines, the 'Troika Drive' (renewable energy, resource circulation, and secondary battery materials), together with the best technical talents."

On the 11th, Korea Zinc announced, "We have completed the procedures from design investment approval to design this year, and plan to start construction by the end of 2025 and complete it by April 2027."

The total floor area of the Songdo R&D center site is 29,445㎡ (approximately 8,900 pyeong), where a total of five research groups will be established: ▲Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen ▲Secondary Battery ▲Resource Circulation ▲Future Technology & Materials ▲Technical Research Institute Ulsan Branch, along with one research support group.

Choi Yoon-beom, Chairman of Korea Zinc [Photo by Korea Zinc]

About 200 new employees will also be hired. Half of them will be selected from those holding master's or doctoral degrees, focusing on securing expertise through the recruitment of highly skilled personnel.

Chairman Choi Yoon-beom is known to have consistently emphasized the importance of recruiting technical talents.

The Songdo R&D center will focus on developing various next-generation battery materials and metal recovery technologies for resource circulation, as well as securing technologies for process rationalization and cost reduction at the Onsan smelting plant. Additionally, the working environment will be designed to be as employee-friendly as possible to support the staff who will lead Korea Zinc’s leap forward and realize its 50-year vision.

A representative from Korea Zinc Technical Research Institute said, "The Songdo R&D center will be prepared so that employees can systematically and efficiently focus on technology development in the future," adding, "Internal related departments are working together to oversee permits, construction, and establishment, actively supporting Korea Zinc’s successful future."