DL Group, led by Chairman Lee Hae-wook, announced on the 29th that it is accelerating efforts to strengthen technological competitiveness and secure future growth engines.

According to DL Group, DL E&C, the group's flagship affiliate, is establishing a full-cycle technology cooperation system that goes beyond discovering innovative technologies for construction sites through technical cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This system connects joint research and development (R&D), performance verification, patents and certifications, on-site application, and commercialization.

DL E&C has collaborated with external companies through various methods, such as performance-sharing technology development, joint technology development with SMEs, and contest-style open innovation. DL E&C stated that the focus of its collaboration lies not merely in discovering technologies or conducting one-time Proof of Concepts (PoC), but in developing them into technologies that can be practically applied to actual sites and commercialized.

A representative achievement is the "dry wall waterproofing system for bathrooms" co-developed with Hansol Home Deco. Through joint R&D, both companies advanced the technology, which has acquired the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's (MOLIT) New Construction Technology certification and is currently being applied to ACRO and e-PHEAN SEASONS construction sites.

With Kangnam Jevisco, DL E&C co-developed "paint for improving the durability of apartment housing" starting in 2021. This led to securing patents and technical certifications, culminating in obtaining MOLIT's New Construction Technology certification for the first time in the paint sector.

The "The Silent Hood," co-developed with Himpel, went through technology development and productization, recording sales of approximately 19,000 units last year. DL E&C explained that this is a case where technical cooperation successfully translated into commercial outcomes in the actual market.

Collaborations combining construction industry technologies with those of other industries are also being promoted. By combining ship fire-suppression technology with the architectural sector in partnership with Tanktech, the company developed the world’s first "electric vehicle fire suppression system for buildings."

The company is also striving beyond applying jointly developed technologies to individual sites, focusing on company-wide standardization and expansion into external markets. The AI-based "Pile Penetration Automatic Measurement System (PAMS)," developed with Youngshin, has been applied to all PHC pile design sites since its standardization in 2022. The drone platform-based earthwork and pile construction management solution, co-developed with Meissa, has been applied to about 70 sites since its standardization in 2023. The AI-based exterior wall crack detection solution "Crack N Drone," developed with Sungkun Engineering, has been applied to approximately 90 sites to date.

Joint development with specialized companies possessing technological competitiveness is also continuously expanding. DL E&C has been pursuing the joint R&D of pipe-integrated ACF cables with Gaon Cable since 2023, developing construction methods and dedicated accessory materials. Having completed performance and constructability verification at new apartment housing sites, DL E&C announced plans to apply them in earnest to new apartment housing starting next year.

Technical cooperation in new business areas through collaboration with global technology companies is also getting into full swing. DL E&C has maintained a cooperative relationship since participating in the Series C investment of US SMR company X-energy in 2023. Recently, the company signed a standard design contract for the 4th-generation SMR currently being developed by X-energy. By combining X-energy's SMR source technology with the design and construction capabilities in the nuclear power and plant sectors accumulated by DL E&C, the company plans to expand the scope of cooperation into the global SMR business going forward.

An official from DL E&C stated, "Moving forward, we plan to expand the technology cooperation ecosystem that can connect validated technologies to company-wide sites, external markets, and ultimately overseas new business markets into substantial business achievements."

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