The Korean Ceramics Industry An International Overview

The Korean ceramics industry continues to make a substantial contribution to the country s economic growth. This growth, which has been fueled by exports, includes a significant volume of electronic components. Korea has become the world s 5th leading manufacturer of electronic products. Much of the growth in the electronics industry has come from the increased demand for semiconductor devices and CRT s, which account for 43.6% of all manufactured electronic products, in Korea. During the last decade, ceramic components for electromagnetic applications represented, 90% of manufacturing in the fine ceramics market. However, 65% of the ceramic parts needed are still imported. In the area of research and development, in both government-supported and in private institutes, R & D in traditional and advance ceramics continues at a heightened pace. However, because of the market conditions and costs, results have been commercially translated at a slower rate. The fine ceramics market is estimated to be $932 million. By the year 2000, 70% of this demand is expected to be met through the continued cooperation between industry, academia and government. While Korea has the largest number of ceramic engineering graduates in the world, more practical engineers are in great demand for developing and manufacturing in the near future.