The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Composites Research@UNIST (FIP-Composites@UNIST) has secured a third five-year term from Germany's Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft following a successful review by Fraunhofer headquarters.

The renewal recognizes the center's contributions to composite materials research, industry engagement, and international cooperation, and will support expanded research and training activities over the next five years.

Established in 2016 through a partnership between UNIST and the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (Fraunhofer ICT), FIP-Composites@UNIST conducts research in lightweight structures, advanced manufacturing, composite recycling, structural health monitoring, and AI-enabled predictive maintenance. Professor Young-Bin Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST serves as director of the center.

During its first two phases (2016–2025), FIP-Composites@UNIST established dedicated research facilities and advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities while supporting international research projects, researcher exchanges, and technology development for the Korean industry.

Through its partnership with Fraunhofer ICT, the center has built an international research network in composite materials and helped connect Korean companies with advanced manufacturing expertise from Germany. These achievements contributed to the center's successful evaluation by Fraunhofer headquarters and the approval of a third five-year term.

Led by Professor Young-Bin Park of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the center will continue advancing research in composite materials and manufacturing technologies while strengthening industry partnerships and expanding training opportunities for students and researchers.

The renewal coincided with the recent FIP in Korea Networking program, which brought together representatives from Fraunhofer headquarters, German research institutes, and Korea-based Fraunhofer Innovation Platforms. UNIST hosted the program's second day, where participants discussed ways to expand cooperation across Fraunhofer's Korean network.

“UNIST has demonstrated strong achievements in international research cooperation,” said Frauke Mickler, Program Manager for International Research Collaboration at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “We hope FIP-Composites@UNIST will continue to serve as a leading model for Fraunhofer's international partnerships worldwide.”

UNIST President Chong Rae Park welcomed the renewal and reaffirmed the university's commitment to the partnership. "This renewal reflects the strength of the partnership that UNIST and Fraunhofer have built together,” said President Park. “We look forward to expanding joint research and creating new opportunities for researchers, students, and industry partners in the years ahead.