A Technologist Who Successfully Localized High-Purity TMA (Trimethylaluminum)

 Jin-Dong Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Lake Materials Co., Ltd. and recipient of the Technology Award, is a researcher-turned-entrepreneur who earned both his master's and doctoral degrees in chemistry from KAIST. Since founding the company in 2010, he has dedicated himself to continuous research and development, successfully localizing the production of high-purity Trimethylaluminum (TMA), a compound that had previously been entirely dependent on imports. He also independently developed proprietary technologies for designing and constructing organometallic compound manufacturing plants.

 Because the production of ultra-high-purity TMA involves significant technical complexity and high barriers to entry, few companies worldwide possess the necessary expertise. Beginning with TMA for LED applications, Mr. Kim steadily expanded the company’s business portfolio into petrochemical catalysts, semiconductor materials, and high-efficiency solar cell materials. Through these achievements, he has strengthened Korea’s technological competitiveness in advanced materials and reduced reliance on foreign suppliers.

 More recently, he successfully developed mass-production facilities for lithium sulfide, a key material used in all-solid-state batteries, which are widely regarded as next-generation batteries due to their enhanced safety and lower risk of fire or explosion. In early 2024, the company completed an expansion of its lithium sulfide production line with an annual capacity of 120 tons, positioning it for significant future growth. Through his technological leadership and commitment to innovation, Mr. Kim continues to contribute to the advancement of Korea’s high-tech materials industry and the development of future energy technologies.