Kookmin University's Department of Metalworking signed an industry-academia agreement with Kyungdong Navien on September 4 (Wed) to hold the 'Upcycling Artwork Contest Using Waste Boilers'.

Kyungdong Navien, the No. 1 boiler company in Korea, has been conducting the 'Once More Condensing' eco-friendly campaign to spread the unique value of its products, such as the eco-friendliness and energy-saving effect of condensing boilers, to consumers. This industry-academia collaboration is part of the 'Once More Condensing' campaign, which aims to promote the value of eco-friendly products through the production of creative and practical artworks utilizing condensing boilers (waste boilers) that have reached the end of their life.

“We hope that Once More Condensing Season 2 will serve as an opportunity to highlight the eco-friendly value of condensing technology through creative and diverse waste boiler upcycling works that fully demonstrate the youthful sensibilities of undergraduate and graduate students from Kookmin University's Department of Metalworking,” said Yongbeom Kim, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Kyungdong Navien, who is in charge of the project. 

The Department of Metalworking at Kookmin University's College of Art and Design has been working on product and material development projects with various domestic and foreign companies based on its capabilities in researching various craft-based techniques and materials, and has been researching design development utilizing sustainable eco-friendly materials and upcycled materials. Through this business agreement with an eco-friendly technology company, the students of the Department of Metalwork will have the opportunity to consider and explore new craft/design solutions to respond to climate change.

The results of the project will be presented to the public as an exhibition at a pop-up space in Seongsu-dong in January 2025, and scholarships worth about 10 million won will be awarded to the best ideas.