Airbus opens Korea Tech Hub for collaborative innovation

The Daejeon-based centre will focus on next-generation defence, composite and energy technologies with support from government and local partners

Airbus has launched an Airbus Tech Hub in Daejeon, Korea, to strengthen its role as a long-term research and technology partner. The Hub will focus on three areas aligned with Korea’s industrial strengths: future energy technologies, advanced lightweight composites and next-generation defence and space systems.

Airbus is working closely with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and Daejeon Metropolitan City to support the initiative. “After five decades of successful industrial partnership with Korea, this step to launch the Airbus Tech Hub in Daejeon is a clear signal of our deepening commitment,” says Mark Bentall, head of R&T Programme at Airbus.

The company has signed three Memorandums of Understanding to launch the Hub. One, with MOTIR, will enable Airbus to begin research projects quickly. A second MoU with Daejeon City supports Airbus’ activity across the city’s innovation infrastructure. A third MoU with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) helps Airbus find new partners through KITA’s open innovation platform.

Two early projects include work with LIG Nex1 on space chip antenna technology and with EMCoretech on electromagnetic interference filtering for electrification.

Airbus also recently opened a Composite Technology Centre in Busan to explore new aerospace composite processes with Busan Techno Park.