KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY

Their core work

KRICT is a major South Korean government research institute specializing in chemical technology, advanced materials, and process engineering. Within H2020, they contribute expertise in CO2 capture materials (graphene aerogels, metal-organic frameworks), nanomaterial safety governance, and industrial coatings. Their role bridges Asian chemical engineering know-how with European consortium needs, particularly in carbon capture and safe-by-design nanomaterials. As a non-EU partner, they bring complementary capabilities in materials synthesis and characterization that European teams seek for global-scale research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

KRICT's early H2020 involvement (2016–2019) centered on CO2 capture materials and risk governance for nanotechnology, reflecting dual interests in energy and safety. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted heavily toward safe-by-design nanomaterials (three projects) while maintaining carbon capture work through MOF-based adsorption. The trend shows a clear convergence: they increasingly combine materials chemistry expertise with industrial safety and sustainability frameworks.

KRICT is consolidating around safe and sustainable nanomaterial design — expect future work at the intersection of advanced materials synthesis and regulatory compliance frameworks.

How they like to work

KRICT participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a non-EU international contributor bringing specialized chemical technology capabilities. With 103 unique partners across 27 countries from just 5 projects, they operate in large research consortia (averaging ~20 partners per project). This wide but non-leading network position makes them an accessible partner: experienced in multi-national collaboration but without the overhead of project management expectations.

Remarkably broad network for a non-EU organization: 103 unique partners across 27 countries from only 5 projects, reflecting participation in very large consortia. Their reach spans most of Europe plus international partners, anchored through materials science and nanosafety research communities.

What sets them apart

KRICT is one of very few Asian government research institutes with a sustained H2020 presence in both advanced materials and nanosafety — a rare combination. Their chemical technology infrastructure and synthesis capabilities complement European partners who may be stronger on application or regulation. For consortium builders, KRICT offers a credible international dimension plus deep materials characterization expertise that is difficult to source within Europe alone.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MOF4AIR
  Targets industrial-scale carbon capture using metal-organic frameworks for power production — directly relevant to Europe's decarbonization goals with a long project timeline (2019–2025).
• SUNSHINE
  Addresses safe and sustainable design of multi-component nanomaterials including grouping and read-across strategies — directly tied to upcoming EU chemicals regulation.
• GRAMOFON
  Combined graphene aerogels with MOF technology for CO2 capture — an early project that established KRICT's carbon capture credentials in European research networks.