Korean Government Officially Designates Korea Zinc’s Precursor Technology as National Core Technology and National High-tech Strategic Technology

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —  Korea  (KRX:010130), the world’s leading non-ferrous metal smelting company, announced today that its precursor technology, a key material for secondary batteries, has been designated as “national core technology” and “national high-tech strategic technology” by the Korean government.  

The precursor technology, jointly owned by Korea Zinc and its subsidiary KEMCO, has been recognized for its significant technical and economic value in both domestic and international markets, as well as its potential for industrial growth. The government’s decision also acknowledges that should the technology be leaked abroad, it could have a serious negative impact on national security and the country’s economic development.

With this ruling, Korea Zinc will now be able to build a foundation to establish a stable self-sufficient supply chain for precursors, a key material for secondary batteries, using entirely homegrown technology. The company will also begin implementing protective measures against overseas technology leaks in accordance with relevant laws.

The Korea Zinc technology that has been recognized as both national core technology  and national high-tech strategic technology is the “technology for manufacturing and processing of cathode active material precursor with a nickel (Ni) content exceeding 80% for lithium-ion batteries.” Korea Zinc submitted its application for this designation to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in September, and after two rounds of expert evaluations, the designation was recently finalized.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the technology is classified under the electrical and electronic sector in the  national core technology  category and the national high-tech strategic technology’s secondary battery sector.

Through the Industrial Technology Protection Act (ITPA ) (Act on Prevention of Divulgence and Protection of Industrial Technology), the government gives national core technology designation to technologies with high technical and economic value in domestic and international markets, or those with significant growth potential in related industries that if leaked abroad, could seriously threaten national security and economic development. More than 70 technologies across sectors like semiconductors, displays, electronics, shipbuilding and nuclear energy are currently designated and managed as national core technology.

Under the…