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Photo courtesy of Korea Zinc |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, October 26, 2025 — South Korea’s Korea Zinc Co., Ltd. has confirmed that its antimony refining technology, proposed as a candidate for designation as a National Core Technology, was not selected in the government’s final review, according to an exclusive report by The Korea Economic Daily (Edaily).
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) decided not to include Korea Zinc’s “Diaphragm Electrolysis-Based Antimony Metal Manufacturing Technology” among the latest National Core Technology designations. However, another Korea Zinc application — its “Low-Temperature, Low-Pressure Hematite Process Technology” — was approved earlier this month under the revised public notice for core technology classification.
A ministry official told Edaily, “After deliberation by the expert committee, the hematite process was recognized as a core technology, but the antimony process was not. Therefore, no additional administrative procedures will follow at this time.”
Antimony is a strategic mineral essential for defense and military production, used in ammunition, protective alloys, and electronic components. With China controlling much of the global supply and recently imposing export restrictions amid trade tensions with the United States, concerns over supply chain stability have intensified.
As the only domestic producer of antimony, Korea Zinc began direct exports to U.S. defense contractors last year and plans to increase shipments from 100 tons in 2024 to 240 tons in 2025. The company had sought the National Core Technology designation to prevent overseas technology leakage and strengthen economic efficiency, claiming its process could cut production costs by up to 60% compared with conventional smelting methods.
Industry observers note that Korea Zinc’s series of applications for core technology designation also serve as a defensive measure against a takeover attempt by the Youngpoong–MBK Partners consortium. Under Article 11 of the Industrial Technology Protection Act, companies holding National Core Technologies must obtain prior approval from MOTIE before engaging in foreign mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures. Such restrictions could complicate MBK’s buyout strategy, which relies on raising enterprise value and reselling equity stakes for profit.
Korea Zinc’s nickel precursor manufacturing technology was designated as a National Core Technology in November 2024. Its low-temperature, low-pressure hematite process was recently added to the government’s list and is currently undergoing formal registration procedures.
The company said it plans to submit supplementary documents and reapply for the antimony refining process designation in the next review cycle.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
