The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials KIMM have been cooperating for many years on projects ranging from laser welding to micromaterial processing. With the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding, the two institutes are now deepening this partnership. Going forward, they plan to focus on environmentally friendly manufacturing processes for electromobility and next-generation energy storage technologies.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen, Germany, and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 16, 2026. The agreement further strengthens their long-standing partnership in advanced laser manufacturing technologies and sustainable energy applications.

Both institutes have been conducting collaborative research for many years in laser welding, precision laser processing, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Through this cooperation, they successfully developed a hybrid manufacturing system for metallic bipolar plate processing, thereby contributing to environmentally friendly fuel cell manufacturing.

The renewed MoU was signed during a visit by KIMM President Dr. Seog-Hyeon Ryu to Aachen, where representatives from both institutes came together for the occasion. The agreement is expected to accelerate joint research activities, researcher exchange programs, and international collaborative project development between Germany and Korea.

“With the renewal of this agreement, we expect to further strengthen our strategic partnership in future manufacturing technologies and sustainable industrial applications,” representatives from both organizations stated.

Fraunhofer ILT and KIMM are currently preparing new international collaborative projects in battery manufacturing technologies and laser processing for hairpin components used in electric mobility applications. The close ties between the two institutes were further reinforced last year when Dr. Su-Jin Lee from KIMM participated in a researcher exchange program at Fraunhofer ILT.

Beyond electromobility, both institutes are exploring future cooperation in broader industrial and energy sectors, including nuclear decommissioning technologies, manufacturing technologies for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), hydrogen technologies, and renewable energy systems.

KIMM is a non-profit, government-funded research institute under the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its establishment in 1976 in Daejeon, KIMM has contributed to industrial innovation and economic growth through research and development in machinery, materials, manufacturing systems, and advanced production technologies.