KFE and POSCO Holdings to cooperate on key fusion reactor materials and supply chains

[Financial News] The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy said on the 21st that it had signed a mutual cooperation agreement with POSCO Holdings at its headquarters in Daejeon to develop fusion energy technologies and foster a domestic fusion industry ecosystem.
The agreement was pursued to link the capabilities of the two organizations in developing and evaluating key materials and establishing supply chains needed for the development of future fusion devices, including the Korean-style innovative fusion reactor, and to extend their cooperation to design, construction, and commercialization.
The signing ceremony was attended by KFE President Oh Young-kuk, Yang Hyeong-yeol, a program director (PD) for K-Moonshot, and key POSCO Group officials, who exchanged views on potential areas for cooperation and the direction of future efforts.
Developing fusion devices requires not only plasma-control technology but also a range of materials and components that make up the devices, as well as the industrial sector’s technical capabilities to turn them into working systems. In particular, heat-resistant materials such as tungsten are needed to withstand the intense heat generated by plasma, along with low-activation steel suited to neutron-exposure environments. Special steel is also required around superconducting magnets to maintain strength and toughness even at cryogenic temperatures.
Under the agreement, the two organizations plan to cooperate in a range of areas, including △fusion energy technology and fusion-device development △development and evaluation of steel products, specialty materials, and critical minerals for fusion applications, and establishment of supply chains △design, engineering, and construction of fusion devices and related facilities △identifying commercialization and investment opportunities △exchange of technical and industrial information and expert personnel. They also plan to explore specific cooperation projects that draw on POSCO Group’s capabilities in materials and expand their collaboration.
KFE President Oh Young-kuk said, “To realize fusion energy, cooperation with industry across a range of fields, including materials and components, is important—not just research and development.” He added, “This agreement will provide an opportunity to develop concrete plans for cooperation with POSCO Holdings on materials and supply chains, and we will continue to expand cooperation with domestic companies.”
[email protected] Yeon Ji-an Reporter