Georgia Tech and Kolon Industries have signed a historic agreement to establish the Kolon Center for Lifestyle Innovation (KCLI), an interdisciplinary research center, which will bring together faculty and students from across Georgia Tech to explore the role of advanced materials and manufacturing in bringing about lifestyle innovation through world-class research and development. Kolon will initially invest $3 million over a five-year period to establish the Center.
The dedication ceremony, hosted by President “Bud” Peterson, was held on October 18 at Georgia Tech and included Kolon Group Chairman Lee Woong-yeul; Kolon Industries CEO Park Dong-moon; Kolon Industries Central Research Institute Vice President Park Jong-Min; Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson; Gary May, dean of the College of Engineering; Naresh Thadhani, professor and chairman of the School of Materials Science and Engineering; and Sundaresan Jayaraman, Kolon professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and director of the KCLI.
CoE Distinguished Alumna, Sungmee Park, MS TE ’95, was instrumental in this initiative, which began in 2010 with the establishment of the Kolon Term Professorship in the School of MSE, later renewed in 2014. “I am delighted that the Kolon Center for Lifestyle Innovation brings together two world-class leaders in advancing materials and manufacturing research and education at Georgia Tech while contributing to Kolon’s growth engines and vision to be a global lifestyle innovator.”
According to Professor Sundaresan Jayaraman, “The KCLI presents a unique opportunity for our faculty and students to closely interact with a global corporation to carry out cutting edge research that will rapidly find its way into products in the marketplace.” The Center will fund three research projects each year, providing support for faculty and graduate students. Additional opportunities include graduate fellowships, undergraduate research scholarships, as well as graduate and undergraduate internships in the Kolon Group of Companies. The Center will also become a focal point for interactions with other Korean companies in the State of Georgia (KIA Motors and Kumho Tires) and strengthen the Georgia-Korea Economic Connection. In 2014, Georgia exports to Korea totaled $1.24 billion. South Korea is the 9th largest export market for Georgia.
About Kolon Industries and the Kolon Group: Kolon Industries, Inc. was founded as the first Korean chemical fiber manufacturing company in 1957. Since then, it has grown into four major business divisions, namely, industrial materials, chemical, films/electronic materials, and fashion. The Kolon Group of companies manufactures a variety of products and delivers services including textiles, plastics, fashion material, construction, water treatment, auto parts and IT, and bio and healthcare.
