Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)-led Jeonbuk University Consortium Technology Holding Company has established its first subsidiary, NanoPora Co., Ltd.

The newly established subsidiary was selected in November last year for the Small and Medium Business Administration’s “Support Program for Direct Commercialization by Research Institutions” and received government funding of KRW 1 billion. Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) contributed approximately KRW 1.04 billion in kind and other assets, and Kolon Fashion Material invested KRW 1 billion to establish the company.

Among the 16 technology holding companies operating in Korea, this is the first case of establishing a subsidiary through joint investment with a large corporation.

Accordingly, NanoPora Co., Ltd. held a plaque-signing ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on February 8 at the Venture Support Building of the Jeonbuk Technopark Foundation. Attendees included Seo Geoseok, President of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU); Kim Young-ho, CEO of Jeonbuk Technology Holding; Kim Chang-ho, CEO of Kolon Fashion Material; Sim Seong-geun, Director of Jeonbuk Technopark; and No Hong-seok, Director of Strategic Industry, Jeonbuk Provincial Government.

NanoPora Co., Ltd. will work to mass-produce and commercialize nanofibers using electrospinning technology developed by Professor Kim Hak-yong of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU). ('Electrospinning' refers to the phenomenon in which fibers are formed when a polymer solution with sufficient viscosity is subjected to electrostatic force.)

Through this, the company aims to establish a production base using mass-production technology for nanofibers, enter the market, and produce a variety of nanofiber-based products such as breathable waterproof clothing, water treatment filters, and battery separators, targeting KRW 50 billion in sales by 2015.

In particular, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) plans to continue identifying promising university technologies that are not yet commercialized, introduce them to technology holding companies, seek investment partners, and actively pursue government support programs, based on its top-tier research competitiveness nationwide. This is expected to greatly contribute to the growth of NanoPora Co., Ltd.

President Seo Geoseok said, "The establishment of NanoPora Co., Ltd. is a company set up to commercialize the university's outstanding technologies and thereby contribute to job creation and the revitalization of the regional economy. Going forward, we will redouble our efforts to transfer and support excellent technologies so the subsidiary can operate soundly, and establish a virtuous cycle in which the subsidiary's profits are reinvested in research, contributing to the continuous enhancement of research competitiveness and strengthening the university's finances."