Industry-University Cooperation (Director Cho Ki-hwan) has joined forces with Coolbears Co., Ltd. (President Lee Min-jae) to promote industry–university collaboration and train skilled professionals in the field of sustainable eco-friendly textiles.

The two organizations held an official signing ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on December 10, with Director Cho Ki-hwan and other senior officials and Coolbears Co., Ltd. President Lee Min-jae and other senior executives in attendance.

Coolbears Co., Ltd. was established in 2021 to introduce a new sustainable paradigm in the fashion industry by producing biz-leisure and athleisure looks.

The company plans to design eco-friendly fabrics that reflect fashion business trends and customer needs, build clusters with suitable manufacturers, and supply eco-friendly fabrics through in-house fabric development and production, with a target of achieving KRW 80 billion in sales by 2024, three years from now.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will, based on their respective capacities, establish joint industry–academia technology development and on-site technical support systems linked to regional industries. They also agreed to cultivate the specialized workforce needed for industrial development and to establish an integrated cooperation system.

They will also share information for the commercialization of the sustainable eco-friendly fabric industry, establish a consultative body, and promote various collaborative projects through the operation of joint research groups. In particular, they pledged close cooperation to provide student internships and contribute to job creation.

Lee Min-jae, President of Coolbears Co., Ltd., stated, "Through establishing a cooperation model with Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation, we will take the lead in realizing social value by revitalizing the regional economy. In particular, we will make every effort to achieve tangible results for regional development through close cooperation, including the development of production process systems in response to the advent of an eco-friendly fabric and textile industry, the development of plant-based natural materials and eco-friendly post-processing technologies, the training of specialized personnel to support technical manpower and services, and joint industry–academia technology development."

In response, Director Cho Ki-hwan said, "This agreement with Coolbears Co., Ltd. is a brilliant opportunity for development through the advancement and globalization of eco-friendly fabric business technologies in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," adding, "JBNU will actively leverage its research capabilities and resources to work with Coolbears Co., Ltd. to establish sustainable eco-friendly fabric and manufacturing R&D in the Jeonbuk region."