SK ecoplant will push to build an industry-academia-research collaboration system for AI deep-tech open innovation.
SK ecoplant said on the 18th that it signed a business agreement on the 17th at the Venture-Industry-University Cooperation Center at Hoseo University in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, to establish an "AI deep-tech open innovation program." At the signing ceremony, representatives from participating corporations and institutions, including Hoseo University, KAIST, South Chungcheong Province, the Seoul Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, and SK Securities, attended alongside SK ecoplant.
The AI deep-tech open innovation program is a specialized open innovation program for AI deep-tech technologies, aiming to develop and commercialize AI breakthrough technologies. Deep tech refers to technology fields based on advanced science and engineering that require long-term, intensive research and development and significant investment.
Overall program operations will be jointly led by SK ecoplant and Hoseo University, with a total of 12 industry-academia-research participating corporations and institutions building a cooperative system to lend support.
The program consists of four main activities: developing innovative technologies, participating in government research and development projects, technology commercialization, and fostering specialized talent. For sourcing innovative technologies, SK ecoplant plans to actively use startup-focused technology contests such as the Tech Open Collaboration it already operates.
Meanwhile, SK ecoplant is accelerating a growth strategy this year centered on two core businesses—semiconductors and AI data centers—to leap forward as an "AI infra solution provider."
From 2024 through last year, it strengthened its portfolio by adding the industrial gas manufacturer SK Airplus; the semiconductor module company Essencore; and semiconductor materials producers SK trichem, SK resonac, SK materials jnc, and SK materials performance, establishing an AI infra solution value chain. It is also working to internalize AI data center solutions based on group-wide collaboration, including participation in the country's largest "SK AI Data Center Ulsan" project.