The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), which has led domestic chemical R&D and the localization of core technologies, marks its 50th anniversary.
On the 1st, KRICT held a 50th-anniversary celebration at its main campus in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Attendees included Kim Sung-soo, Director of the R&D Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Kim Young-sik, President of the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST); Lee (President); and representatives from academia, industry, and research institutions.
KRICT was established in 1973 when 17 leading domestic companies in the heavy chemical sector formed a founding assembly to launch the "Korea Chemical Research Institute." It is essentially a privately led research institute founded through collective efforts by the industrial sector.
Following the development of an oxygen-based bleaching agent in 1984, KRICT successively localized core materials and processes, including polybutene manufacturing technology in 1994 and high-performance polyimide materials in 2005. In pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, it developed new substances such as the first domestically produced pesticide "Seonbong" in 1996, the world's first imipenem antibiotic generic drug "Prepenem" in 2004, and the AIDS treatment drug "Inoberin" in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it developed and distributed rapid diagnostic kits.
KRICT operates national research infrastructure such as the Korean Compound Bank and leads two key areas under its "Global TOP Strategic Research Unit": secondary batteries and CCU (carbon dioxide capture and utilization technology).
On this day, KRICT announced its "2040 Vision," outlining directions for the next 50 years. It presented four core values: future readiness, intelligence, connectivity and convergence, and public service.
"In his commemorative speech, Shin Seok-min (Director) stated, 'The 50th anniversary is a celebration day for all members who have dedicated their time and passion.' He added, 'When the world cannot find answers, we will find them through chemistry and lead Daejeon's chemical industry toward global excellence.'"
in TECH
