Ewha, Belgian company celebrate partnership

Solvay’s CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu and Ewha Womans University Kim Sun-uk celebrate the opening of the Belgian chemical company’s research and innovation center at the school yesterday. Provided by Solvay

Solvay, a Belgian chemical company, has established its first global research and innovation (R&I) center in Korea at Ewha Womans University.

The R&I center that opened in April is the first for a multinational company at a Korean university.

Solvay’s other Asian R&I centers are in China, India and Singapore. The Korea center will be the second-largest in Asia after the one in China.

Ewha Womans University and Solvay signed a $21.5 million collaboration agreement in May 2011. The agreement included building a global R&I center on Ewha’s campus, establishing a joint research infrastructure and fostering outstanding women in science.

The project focuses on development of si-based composite electrode; computational modeling of materials offering thermoelectric effect; radiation curable highly fluorinated multifunctional acrylates and their applications; and development of novel oxygen reduction catalyst and oxygen evolution catalyst as cathode materials for future batteries (zinc metal-air) and as oxidation catalyst.

“We’ve looked for an academic institution to partner with in Korea and chose Ewha after examining the quality of scientists, graduates and the partnership,” said Solvay CEO Jean-Pierre Clamadieu. “The establishment will solidify Solvay’s stance within Korea and Asia, and be a great opportunity to expand industry-university collaboration in the field of science.”

Kim Sun-uk, president of Ewha Womans University, said, “I agree that the future of science will be led by female scientists. Ewha has outstanding professors who have devoted themselves to science and technology. We anticipate sharing Solvay’s global capacity and network through the project.”

BY KIM HAE-YOON [haeyoonk1311@joongang.co.kr]