On August 31, Korea University (KU) and Samsung Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish an eco-friendly energy research center at KU's College of Engineering Building. KU and Samsung Electronics will conduct joint research to develop solutions for eco-friendly home appliances and promote various ecologically-minded events such as professional technology workshops, seminars, and on-site customized education programs.

Research tasks are largely divided into three categories to understand the necessity of “carbon neutrality.” First of all, current research aims to increase the energy efficiency of electricity used to maintain key components of major home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, etc. In addition, these result will help strengthen eco-friendly material technology by expanding the use of recycled plastics and developing resource circulation wrappers. Finally, they intend to reduce carbon emissions by developing air conditioner components for the creation of eco-friendly refrigerants with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Samsung Electronics Vice President Lee Gi Soo expects that Samsung Electronics and KU will formulate a great synergy in developing eco-friendly technologies that will lead the home appliance industry in the future. He also stated, “Samsung Electronics will continue to strive to preemptively secure convergence technologies in various fields through cooperation with leading universities both at the home and abroad.”