Samyang holds R&D fair; chairman calls for AI integration

Samyang Group held its annual research and development showcase, "Samyang Innovation R&D Fair (SIRF) 2026," on Wednesday at Samyang Discovery Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.

Now in its 15th year, SIRF is an event where the group's researchers present, exhibit and receive recognition for their R&D achievements over the past year. This year, Samyang selected two projects for its top prize: the development of a laser-weldable EMC material and the development of an ion-exchange resin for nuclear power plants. Projects were evaluated on economic impact, contribution to the company's competitiveness and degree of innovation. Each winning research team received a prize of 30 million won ($22,400).

The laser-weldable EMC material is an essential component in housing fusion bonding — the process of joining the body and cover of a plastic casing. The company said it developed the material as a first in South Korea. Using polymer crystallization design technology, the research team created a plastic material that allows laser light to pass uniformly through to the bonding surface, enabling the casing to fuse without overheating. The material can be mass-produced in multiple colors required for automotive components, and also offers flame retardancy and resistance to hydrolysis. It is currently used in materials for automotive cameras and actuators in South Korea.

The ion-exchange resin for nuclear power plants was recognized for the team's development of a proprietary manufacturing process for lithium-type ion-exchange resin. The lithium-type resin removes impurities from reactor coolant water and prevents pipe corrosion. Samyang advanced its pre-treatment process for the resin to maximize the removal of metallic impurities, and also developed a product that achieves the same performance while using less lithium raw material. The product is currently supplied to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

Beyond the top-prize projects, seven research institutes across the group exhibited ongoing projects under seven themes spanning chemicals, food, pharmaceutical biotech, packaging and bio-convergence. Showcased work included high-value engineering plastic materials, bio-compatible beauty and health materials, and a SENS-based gene therapy for pulmonary fibrosis.

In his remarks, Samyang Holdings Chairman Kim Yoon said the group must "provide technological backing for the advancement of our global and specialty business portfolio, and continuously review and strengthen R&D priorities and core capabilities in line with our mid- to long-term business strategy." He also urged researchers to "embed AI as the foundational infrastructure of R&D and build differentiated research competitiveness."

Kim added that researchers should "actively propose new ideas and technologies by closely watching shifts in future customer needs and industry trends, and concentrate their capabilities with a sense of responsibility on research where commercialization potential has been confirmed." He said that "since R&D inevitably involves countless failures before a single success, I ask that you approach your work with the passion to see it through to the end."