This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 2:10 p.m. on Mar. 26, 2026.
Lighting specialist Solux has kicked off a business expansion. After recently broadening its business scope with its bio subsidiary Areebio through the acquisition of CHA Vaccine Research Institute, it is showing interest in other industries as well. The move is aimed at breaking out of poor performance.
On the 26th, people in the capital markets industry said Solux recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nami Island Co. and decided to cooperate on projects such as renewing night lighting for sightseeing boats and projects linked to the pier. Along with implementing this project, Solux plans to acquire one of the three passenger boats that enter Nami Island and secure a continuous source of income going forward.
Solux, a lighting specialist, has suffered poor performance due to a prolonged contraction in the construction market. As of last year, sales were 38.2 billion won and operating loss was 6.7 billion won. Since 2022, it has alternated between losses and profits.
It is undergoing a restructuring to break out of poor performance. To strengthen its bio business led by Areebio, it recently spent 15.3 billion won to acquire a 14.7% equity stake in CHA Vaccine Research Institute. Last year, it added construction work such as electrical and communications work to its articles of incorporation, and this year it will participate as an electrical construction equipment provider in a data center project led by its NanoSilikhan Advanced Materials subsidiary.
Through this project, Solux plans to expand beyond construction work into tourism development and implementation projects. In this project, it is preparing nightscape improvements for Nami Island and installations of media art based on its existing lighting business. Solux will receive a portion of Nami Island's admission fees and collect boarding fees by acquiring the passenger boats that enter Nami Island. It is also considering a development project that links the passenger boat pier with Nami Island tourism.
A Solux official said that specific business scope and conditions will be finalized in sequence through consultations.
Nami Island also expects that the project will develop tourism content and greatly increase the number of visitors. Although Nami Island attracts 3 million visitors each year, most visits occur during the day because of a lack of nighttime tourism content. Current estimates are that new demand from nighttime content development would reach 1 million visitors. The economic value is about 10 billion won.
Solux plans to make a full-scale entry into the construction field with this project as an opportunity. Discussions are underway not only for the Nami Island project but also for other implementation projects. If it can secure stable revenue from implementation projects, Solux is expected to form three main pillars: its existing lighting business, the bio business, and construction/implementation businesses.
A Solux official said several implementation projects are currently under discussion and that the Nami Island project will be the first start, adding that based on its lighting business experience it expects performance improvements by expanding into equipment, construction and implementation.