2022 Fusion Energy Industry Forum returns as in-person event after 3 years

The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (hereinafter KFE, President Suk Jae Yoo) reported that the 2022 Fusion Energy Industry Forum hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (hereinafter MSIT, Minister Jong ho Lee) and organized by KFE was held on November 30^th at the conference room of KFE with representatives from over 60 companies in the field participating.

The Fusion Energy Industry Forum was started in 2014 as a platform for mutual growth and communication through cooperation such as technology transfer and joint R&D between KFE, a public research institution for core technologies in fusion energy and related companies.

Key events included an introduction to the KFE’s R&D achievements and promising technology for commercialization and consultations for technology transfer as well as an award ceremony for ministerial citations recognizing companies and researchers who have contributed to fusion energy R&D and laying the foundations for the industrial ecosystem.

In addition, there were programs such as communication sessions to develop new business areas and strengthen networks between companies, encouraging communication after the pandemic forced the forum to be held on a reduced scale online for two years.

Certificates were also presented to companies selected as KFE Family Enterprises, which are science and technology-based small and medium enterprises with growth potential and R&D capacities to be cultivated into technology-based small giants through various support programs.

Fourteen companies were newly selected as family enterprises this year, making up a total of 118 companies registered in the program to drive cooperation in fusion energy technologies.

An exhibition of KFE Family Enterprises was held as an auxiliary event to introduce the products and technologies offered by the new family enterprises, which was also an opportunity to promote cooperation between family enterprises in related fields.

The Korea fusion energy industry has begun with the construction of the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device in 2004, which followed Korea’s participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). It has grown into an industrial ecosystem with about 240 companies participating in the present. With technological capabilities acquired through research participation, Korean enterprises are securing international orders amounting to 700 bil. KRW per year from ITER related deals.

KFE President Suk Jae Yoo remarked, “We convey gratitude to our family enterprises who have worked together with us for the growth of the industrial ecosystem for nuclear fusion technology.” He added, “We commit to active communication with industrial enterprises and supporting the growth of technological competitiveness in the industry as a leading institution in advanced fusion energy research.”