KIMM Lays Groundwork for Global Expansion of “K-Machine” through Strengthened International Partnerships in Europe

– Signs Research Cooperation MoUs with University of Maribor (Slovenia) and German Aerospace Center –

– Expanding Collaboration with IFW at Leibniz University Hannover on Autonomous Machining System Development –

□ The Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (President Seog-Hyeon Ryu, hereinafter referred to as KIMM) has signed international cooperation agreements with research institutions in Slovenia, a manufacturing technology powerhouse in Eastern Europe, and Germany, a leading country in advanced technologies in Europe. These agreements focus on virtual reliability prediction and carbon-free high-temperature heat pump technologies, while also expanding the foundation for international joint research on autonomous machining systems.

[Signing ceremony between KIMM and the University of Maribor, Slovenia, to promote research collaboration in virtual reliability prediction and other advanced technologies]

[On Thursday, April 3, KIMM visited the University of Maribor in Slovenia and signed a research cooperation agreement. The two institutions plan to establish concrete collaboration strategies, 

including securing technologies for designing mechanical components and implementing mechanisms in virtual environments, as well as developing AI-based design processes.]

□ As part of KIMM’s global cooperation initiative “With KIMM, to the World,” this partnership aims to expand collaborative research in Eastern Europe and Europe and lay the groundwork for the global expansion of “K-Machine.”

[On Thursday, April 3, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) signed a research cooperation agreement with the University of Maribor in Slovenia to collaborate on virtual reliability prediction technology. 

KIMM President Ryu and accompanying researchers visited and inspected the university’s research facilities.]

□ On Thursday, April 3, President Ryu and a team of researchers from KIMM visited the University of Maribor (President: Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič) in Slovenia to sign a research cooperation agreement. Through this agreement, KIMM plans to integrate its self-developed “KIMM Cyber Lab” program with Maribor’s open-source structural analysis technology (PrePoMax). The collaboration aims to secure technologies for component design and mechanism implementation in virtual space and to explore AI-based design processes and other concrete research initiatives.

* University of Maribor (UM): Established in 1975, UM is Slovenia’s second-largest and second-oldest university, renowned for its excellence in education and research across various academic fields.

* KIMM Cyber Lab: Developed by KIMM, this open-source software program focuses on failure mode and mechanism implementation for virtual reliability assessments of mechanical components—unlike commercial software.

□ KIMM has a history of building partnerships with Eastern European countries, known for their strength in traditional machinery and manufacturing technologies. Following a 2022 agreement with Lithuania’s Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), KIMM also signed a five-party agreement in 2024 with the Czech Technical University (CTU) and both domestic and international companies. Additionally, it has pursued collaboration with the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Physics (FZU). The recent partnership with Slovenia is expected to further expand KIMM’s international cooperation network in the region.

[On Friday, March 28, KIMM signed a bilateral agreement with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to collaborate on carbon reduction technologies, including heat pump systems for industrial applications]

[On Friday, March 28, KIMM President Seog-Hyeon Ryu and researchers held an expert workshop with the DLR Institute of Low-Carbon Industrial Processes to exchange research insights on high-temperature heat pump systems and key components, and to discuss future joint research plans.]

□ On Friday, March 28, KIMM signed a bilateral agreement with the Institute of Low-Carbon Industrial Processes (Director: Prof. Dr. Uwe Riedel) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to collaborate on carbon reduction technologies, including heat pump systems. KIMM also held a joint workshop with researchers from DLR’s Institute, sharing current research on high-temperature heat pump systems and component technologies and discussing international joint research plans.

* DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt): Founded in 1969, DLR is a government research center in Germany focusing on aerospace, energy, transportation, defense, and security. Headquartered in Cologne, it operates 54 research facilities across 30 locations in Germany.

[KIMM President Ryu and researchers visited the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) at Leibniz University Hannover, joined by officials from Changwon City’s Future Strategy Department. 

The delegation discussed collaboration in autonomous machining system development and toured the research site as part of the "With KIMM, to the World" glocal cooperation platform.]

□ On Tuesday, April 1, KIMM researchers visited the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW), led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Berend Denkena, at Leibniz University Hannover, accompanied by representatives from Changwon City’s Future Strategy Department and other related stakeholders. They discussed collaboration in developing autonomous machining systems. KIMM and IFW have maintained ongoing research collaboration since they began working together in the field of machine tools in 1999. They now plan to strengthen joint efforts in autonomous machining system development, building on their existing work in smart machine tools and energy-saving technologies.

* Leibniz University Hannover & IFW: Established in 1831, Leibniz University Hannover is a prestigious German national university and has produced three Nobel laureates. IFW is a specialized institute under the university, known for its advanced technology in manufacturing equipment and machine tools. Berend Denkena, Director of IFW, also serves as President of CIRP (International Academy for Production Engineering) and is considered a leading authority in autonomous intelligent machining technologies.

[On Monday, March 31, President Ryu and the KIMM team attended Hannover Messe 2025, the world’s largest industrial technology trade fair held in Hannover, Germany. 

The visit helped identify emerging technology trends relevant to KIMM’s research areas and expand global networking with related institutions]

□ Additionally, President Ryu and KIMM researchers attended Hannover Messe 2025, the world's largest industrial technology trade fair, held in Hannover, Germany. There, they explored the latest trends in relevant research fields and expanded their global network. Since 1947, Hannover Messe has been held annually, featuring cutting-edge industrial technologies presented by manufacturers, tech providers, policymakers, and research institutions from around the world.

□ President Ryu remarked, “This international cooperation will further enhance KIMM’s mechanical technology capabilities and expand our global research network in Europe. We will continue to collaborate with leading research institutions worldwide to ensure the global competitiveness of K-Machine.”