L&F, a global specialist in secondary battery materials, is actively working to strengthen industrial competitiveness in Daegu and nurture future local talent through industry-academia collaboration. The company aims to lead innovation in AI Transformation (AX)-based industries with research institutions and partner companies, fostering regional talent and creating future growth engines to achieve sustainable mutual growth. As part of these efforts, L&F has signed an AX business agreement with DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) and 14 other companies, including the four major science and technology institutes.
Background and Key Details of the AX Business Agreement
L&F signed a ‘Business Agreement (MOU) for AI Transformation (AX) of Local Industries’ with DGIST on the 23rd. The signing ceremony, held at the main campus of KAIST, was attended by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, Bae Kyung-hoon, presidents of the four major science and technology institutes, and key local corporate representatives driving AX initiatives with each institute. Ryu Seung-heon, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of L&F, was also present.
This agreement was pursued as a follow-up to the ‘AX Strategy for Four Major Science and Technology Institutes’ announced at the 5th Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology Relations on the 11th. The agreement is structured around two pillars: the establishment of an ‘AX Joint Research Institute’ and a ‘Glocal AI Growth Center,’ with L&F participating in the ‘AX Joint Research Institute’.
Operation of the AX Joint Research Institute and Areas of Cooperation
The ‘AX Joint Research Institute,’ in which L&F is participating, is an open research collaboration model where the four major science and technology institutes and AX partner companies from various sectors work together to solve challenges in industrial settings. It aims to conduct joint research based on industrial AX demands by combining the AI talent and model development capabilities of the institutes with the industrial data and verification infrastructure of companies, thereby disseminating AX achievements across local industries.
L&F had previously signed a bilateral business agreement with DGIST on January 15th to promote AX in the robot and mobility industries. Both parties have commenced concrete cooperation in key areas, including the establishment and operation of joint research organizations, AX convergence of mutually held technologies, AX technology development and reliability verification, and on-site validation and commercialization promotion of developed technologies. By combining DGIST’s excellent research personnel and cutting-edge infrastructure with L&F’s industrial data and field application experience, they are focusing on securing highly reliable AX technologies in future core areas such as robotics, semiconductors, and healthcare.
The two organizations are currently identifying specialized AX convergence research projects and exchanging domain knowledge, with plans to intensify cooperation through the future establishment of a Joint Lab and specialized research teams. This collaboration aims to create a regionally-driven AX innovation ecosystem and enhance the global competitiveness and brand value of local industries.
Region-Focused Recruitment and Expansion of Industry-Academia Cooperation
L&F is actively pursuing region-focused recruitment and industry-academia cooperation to foster mutual growth within Daegu’s industrial ecosystem. Approximately 85% of its entire workforce hails from the Daegu area, and the company has consistently maintained a local talent recruitment rate of over 80% since 2020. This achievement led to L&F receiving the Presidential Commendation at the ‘Merit for Job Creation Support’ government awards hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor last September.
Furthermore, L&F consistently organizes recruitment briefings, job fairs, recruitment tours, and job mentoring programs in conjunction with over 24 local universities, including Kyungpook National University, Yeungnam University, and Keimyung University. The company is also dedicated to nurturing future industrial talent through regional co-prosperity programs such as internships for the Energy Manpower Training Project and employment-linked courses in the Daegu Opportunity Development Zone.
Expanded Investment for Regional Co-prosperity and Future Vision
L&F is expanding tangible investments to create future growth engines for the region, including establishing L&F Plus, a subsidiary dedicated to LFP cathode materials, within the Daegu National Industrial Complex, and constructing a specialized plant valued at 338.2 billion KRW. This plant, with an annual production capacity of up to 60,000 tons, aims for completion in the first half of 2026 and mass production in the second half, and is expected to contribute to increased local talent recruitment and vitalization of the regional economy.
Heo Je-hong, CEO of L&F, stated, “As a company rooted in Daegu, L&F is growing together with the Daegu industrial ecosystem through AX industry-academia cooperation, region-focused recruitment, and large-scale local investments. We will continue to strengthen mutual cooperation with the region and take the lead in enhancing the global competitiveness of Daegu’s local industries.”
L&F, a leader in innovation within the secondary battery materials sector, is driving future industries through diverse mutual cooperation and bold investments. Moving forward, L&F is expected to grow alongside the regional economy and strengthen its global market dominance. Through these efforts, the company aims to solidify its position as a leading enterprise achieving sustainable development.
