Deals worth $7.48 million pursued across Detroit and Toronto as Daejeon firms seek new footholds in North American market
Daejeon Technopark is stepping up efforts to help promising local companies break into the North American market and open new export channels.
Daejeon Technopark announced Monday that it ran the "2026 Daejeon North America Future Automotive and Battery Industry Strategic Trade Mission" in Detroit and Toronto from Oct. 12 through Saturday.
Three Daejeon-based companies — Libbest, Smart Korea and Axbis — took part in the mission, holding consultations with local buyers in cooperation with KOTRA's Daejeon-Sejong-South Chungcheong Province headquarters and its Detroit and Toronto trade offices to explore market entry opportunities.
Each participating company pursued distinct leads: Libbest gauged demand for silicon-carbon (Si-C) anode materials and high-performance battery cells and packs; Smart Korea explored the possibility of supplying activated carbon and carbon filters for air purification and water treatment; and Axbis sought cooperation opportunities in automation and 3D machine-vision inspection solutions for automotive and battery production lines.
As a result, 21 buyer consultations were held, with potential contracts totaling $7.48 million — $1.28 million from Detroit and $6.2 million from Toronto.
Daejeon Technopark said it will continue working with KOTRA's local trade offices to support follow-up negotiations with buyers, while also addressing each company's additional support needs to advance their entry into the North American market and expand overseas sales channels.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
