On July 22, Hanyang University (President Lee Ki-jeong) announced that it has signed an industry-university research agreement with Embraer, a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, after being selected as a core participating institution in the company’s new collaborative development program.

The partnership is part of South Korea’s recent deal to acquire three C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft from Embraer and is expected to mark a pivotal moment in the advancement of domestic aerospace composite materials technology.

Professor Ha Sung-kyu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Hanyang Center for Composite Materials Innovation, who will lead the joint research, stated, “This project focuses on improving composite manufacturing processes and developing mass production technologies for thermoplastic composites. Through this initiative, we aim to enhance the competitiveness of Korea’s composite materials technology across the defense and aerospace sectors.” He added, “This collaboration will also strengthen Hanyang University’s education and research capabilities in composite materials and serve as a foundation for cultivating highly skilled professionals.”

Embraer likewise expressed its commitment to sharing its technological expertise with the Korean market and to establishing long-term partnerships with local universities and research institutions through this collaboration.

The joint research between Hanyang University and Embraer is expected to serve as a significant starting point for aerospace technology cooperation between Korea and Brazil. In particular, carbon fiber-based composite materials, which are critical in aircraft structures, have broad applications in industries that require lightweight materials—such as automotive, drones, and urban air mobility (UAM)—and are expected to generate strong cross-industry technological synergy.