Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has partnered with Cheonbo Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Sang-yul) to foster regional specialized convergent talent and to revitalize industry–university cooperation that can meet the needs of companies and students.

The two institutions held an official signing ceremony on May 11 at 11:00 a.m., attended by President Kim Dong-won and other senior university officials, as well as CEO Lee Sang-yul and other senior executives of Cheonbo Co., Ltd.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will conduct joint industry–university research and development and exchange research personnel, and provide support for technical challenges in industrial sites. They also agreed to operate industry–university joint research and field training programs to cultivate specialized convergent talent. In addition, they pledged to jointly establish an industry–university cooperation platform that can meet the needs of companies and students.

Cheonbo Co., Ltd. has continuously expanded and developed its business from basic chemical materials used across diverse industries to high value-added precision chemicals and materials for electronic applications that require advanced technology. It develops and supplies key materials used in industries such as LCD, OLED, semiconductors, secondary batteries, and pharmaceuticals. The company is a competitive firm that went public on the KOSDAQ in 2019.

Particularly, based on differentiated technology that surpasses global competitors, it occupies more than 90% of the global market in process materials for semiconductors and displays. Through its subsidiary Cheonbo BLS, it plans to invest KRW 512.5 billion to build a next-generation electrolyte manufacturing plant for mid- to large-size lithium‑ion batteries on a 171,000 m² site in the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex. Once the Saemangeum plant is completed, the company is expected to grow into an enterprise with annual sales reaching KRW 1 trillion.

CEO Lee Sang-yul said, 'Through technical collaboration that concentrates the expertise of both institutions, we will take the lead in realizing social value by promptly responding to the rapidly expanding precision chemicals and electronic materials markets and the diversified demands of customers. In particular, through cooperation and technology exchange in the semiconductor and secondary battery businesses, we will take the first step into core materials sectors while working to enter the comprehensive precision chemicals field, and we will do our utmost to achieve tangible results for regional development, including recruiting outstanding talent and engaging capable local companies.'

President Kim Dong-won responded, 'This agreement with Cheonbo Co., Ltd. presents a significant opportunity to expand channels in the comprehensive precision chemicals business related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to stimulate diversified growth in services such as electronic materials, secondary batteries, and pharmaceuticals,' adding, 'JBNU will actively leverage its research capabilities and resources to work with Cheonbo Co., Ltd. to establish a sustainable mutual cooperation system in the comprehensive precision chemicals market.'