(Hyundai Motor Company)
(Hyundai Motor Company)

Hyundai Motor and Kia, Korea's leading automakers, partnered with Kolon Spaceworks to improve the materials of their eco-friendly mobility.

The partnership was formalized on Monday at Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Kolon Spaceworks is a specialist in developing advanced materials.

The signing ceremony was attended by Yang Hee-won, head of research and development division of both Hyundai and Kia brands, Kolon Group Vice Chair Lee Kyu-ho and Kolon Spaceworks CEO Ahn Sang-hyun.

Under the partnership, the companies will collaborate on enhancing hydrogen fuel tanks and electric vehicle battery covers, crucial for strengthening the competitiveness of eco-friendly mobility solutions.

They will also work together to ensure that automakers' products meet international environmental standards. Hyundai and Kia have made efforts to comply with the European Union’s vehicle disposal regulations, which focus on recycling materials from decommissioned cars and managing any environmental hazards that may be released during disposal.

“With the shift in the automotive industry paradigm, a wider range of eco-friendly materials are being used in vehicles,” said Yang. “We expect our collaboration with Kolon Spaceworks will enhance our business competitiveness by developing advanced composite materials for vehicles and driving technological innovation.”

Focused on developing materials for space rockets and aircraft, Kolon Spaceworks excels in creating lightweight, yet strong and durable materials.

Hyundai Motor has previously collaborated with Kolon Spaceworks to streamline parts manufacturing for Hyundai’s commercial EVs, and these improvements will continue under the new partnership.

“I hope this partnership will serve as an opportunity to enhance Korea’s industrial competitiveness by combining Kolon’s advanced material technology with the expertise of Hyundai and Kia, which lead the global auto industry,” said Lee.

By Lim Jae-seong (forestjs@heraldcorp.com)