KAERI

Name

KAERI

Legal name

한국원자력연구원

Website

https://kaeri.re.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Energy Research & Development

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

akta.pro primary industry

Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors) (EUAKADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Test Reactor Operations (Non-Commercial Power) (EUACADAH), Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation) (EUAKADAI), Nuclear Fuel Cycle for Power Generation (Uranium, Conversion, Enrichment, Fuel Fabrication) (EUACADAK), Uranium Refining & Conversion (U3O8 to UF6/UO2) (EUAKACAC)

Keywords

• Nuclear energy research
• Research reactor operations
• Nuclear technology transfer
• Small modular reactor development
• Radiation science services

Headquarters

HQ city

Yusong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 정부 수탁 연구事业: Government-commissioned research projects funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and other government agencies. Represents approximately 38.8% of total revenue.
2. 민간 수탁 연구事业: Private sector research contracts and technology development agreements with nuclear industry companies and other commercial partners. Represents approximately 34.8% of total revenue.
3. 기술이전 및 수출: Revenue from technology transfer agreements, reactor export contracts, and intellectual property licensing. Includes exports to Jordan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and the USA (MURR project).
4. 정부출연금: Direct government appropriations for basic research operations and national research infrastructure maintenance. Represents approximately 23.0% of total budget (1,851 billion KRW).
5. 시설 이용 및 시험/교정 서비스: Revenue from neutron beam facility usage fees, radiation equipment testing, calibration services, and educational training programs at the Nuclear Education Center.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KAERI is Korea's government-funded comprehensive nuclear energy research and development institute that conducts nuclear R&D, operates the HANARO multipurpose research reactor with neutron beam facilities, develops advanced reactor designs including the SMART100 small modular reactor, and provides nuclear technology transfer and reactor export services to international clients. The institute also operates radiation research facilities, proton accelerators, and spent fuel recycling technology (PRIDE) for both government and private sector clients.

Product overview

KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) is Korea's only comprehensive nuclear R&D organization consisting of multiple specialized research institutes and divisions. The core offerings include HANARO multi-purpose research reactor with neutron beam utilization facilities (RSI, HRPD, 40M-SANS, REF-V beamlines), the Advanced Radiation Research Institute (ARTI) with cyclotron and radiation facilities, the Proton Science Research Division in Gyeongju, and the Advanced Reactor Research Institute developing SMART100 SMR and next-generation reactors. Supporting infrastructure includes the Nuclear Safety Base Research Institute, Back-end Nuclear Technology Research Institute (spent fuel/disposal), Nuclear Education Center, and specialized databases (Nuclear Data Center, Materials Data Portal, Atomic-Molecular DB). The organization provides technology transfer services and corporate support for industrial applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 하나로 (HANARO): Korea's unique multipurpose research reactor operated by KAERI, designated as Asia's first IAEA ICERR (International Center for Research Reactors) in 2019
• 첨단방사선연구소 (ARTI)
• 양성자과학연구단 (KOMAC)
• SMART
• 원자력교육센터

Products and services

• HANARO Neutron Beam Facility (하나로 중성자빔 이용시설) Multi-purpose research reactor providing neutron beam for materials analysis, quantum research, semiconductor development, and biotechnology applications with various beamlines including RSI, HRPD, 40M-SANS, and REF-V. Used by academic and industrial researchers.
• SMART100 Small Modular Reactor Korea's first fully passive small modular reactor (SMR) with enhanced output and safety features, applying passive safety concepts and innovative technologies for improved economics. Standard design approval obtained in 2024.
• Advanced Radiation Research Institute (ARTI / 첨단방사선연구소) Research institute located in Jeongeup developing radiation convergence technologies including cyclotron applications, radiation breeding, radiation imaging, and industrial radiation equipment. Houses cyclotron facility, RI-Biomics research, electron beam demonstration, and radiation irradiation facilities.
• Proton Accelerator Facility (KOMAC / 양성자과학연구단) Proton accelerator research center in Gyeongju developing particle beam applications, accelerator technology, and quantum optics research. Houses 100 MeV linear proton accelerator capable of accelerating proton beams to 100 MeV (20 mA).
• PRIDE Pyroprocessing Facility World's first engineering-scale integrated pyroprocessing facility for peaceful spent nuclear fuel recycling and volume reduction technology. Developed through US-Korea joint research using simulated nuclear material experiments.
• Nuclear Reactor Design and Export Services Comprehensive nuclear reactor design and export services including complete reactor construction, instrumentation and control systems, and technology transfer. Customers include Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Saudi Arabia government, and University of Missouri (USA).
• Nuclear Education Center (KNTC / 원자력교육센터) Training and education center for nuclear technology, providing professional development programs, international nuclear training (INTEC), and science teacher training initiatives. Serves nuclear industry personnel, government officials, and international trainees.
• Technology Transfer and Corporate Support Services Technology transfer services, patent licensing, and corporate support programs for commercializing nuclear research outcomes and supporting industry partnerships. Includes test and calibration services for industrial clients and KAERI-Family enterprise network.
• Nuclear Data Center (핵 데이터 서비스) Nuclear data services and atomic-molecular database for nuclear applications and research. Provides comprehensive nuclear data and atomic/molecular data to support nuclear and radiation research applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully completed Jordan's first nuclear reactor export (JRTR) in 6 years 10 months
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• 미국 미주리대학교 (University of Missouri)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KAERI signed initial design export contract for the NextGen MURR (Next Generation Missouri University Research Reactor) project in 2025. This represents Korea's first nuclear technology export to the USA in 66 years, won through international competitive bidding against global competitors.
• 방글라데시 원자력위원회 (Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research reactor BTRR instrumentation and control system modification project. 6th nuclear research reactor technology export to Bangladesh. Includes technology transfer and training components.
• 미국 에너지부 (US DOE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint research on pyroprocessing through PRIDE facility. Pyroprocessing full process technology secured through US-Korea joint research using simulated nuclear material experiments for spent nuclear fuel volume reduction.
• 국제원자력기구 (IAEA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IAEA ICERR designation for HANARO (2019) — first in Asia-Pacific. IAEA-NWAL comprehensive certification (2018) — third country worldwide. Ongoing cooperation in research reactor technology, nuclear safety, and capacity building.
• 요르단 원자력위원회 (Jordan Atomic Energy Commission)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) construction and export completed in 2016. First complete Korean nuclear reactor export, won through international competitive bidding in 2010. 6 years 10 months of construction.
• 사우디아라비아 정부coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015SMART reactor commercialization joint cooperation agreement. Joint detailed design followed by construction of 2 units in Saudi Arabia and joint third-country export. Part of Saudi Vision 2030 diversification efforts.
• 네덜란드 델프트공대 (TU Delft)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014High-Flux Reactor (HOR) improvement project. Installation of advanced cold neutron test facility at the Dutch research reactor operated by Delft University of Technology.
• 한국원자력협력재단 (KONICOF)minorOthersKorea Nuclear International Cooperation Foundation supporting international nuclear cooperation activities and overseas promotion of Korean nuclear technology.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA): Japan's national nuclear energy R&D institute, operating research reactors (JRR-3M), developing advanced reactor technologies, and engaging in fuel cycle and radioactive waste research. Closest geographic and functional peer to KAERI - both are government-funded comprehensive nuclear research organizations with research reactor operations and advanced reactor development programs.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives): France's national nuclear and alternative energies research commission, operating research reactors, developing SMRs (NUWARD), and conducting advanced fuel cycle and fusion research. Direct peer given shared role as comprehensive national nuclear R&D organization with reactor export ambitions and similar institutional scale.
• Idaho National Laboratory (INL): US Department of Energy's lead nuclear energy R&D national laboratory, operating the Advanced Test Reactor and Critical Infrastructure Test Range Experiment. Direct peer in advanced reactor design, fuel cycle research, and nuclear safety analysis, and a natural competitor to KAERI for global nuclear research partnerships.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): India's premier nuclear research and development centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, conducting reactor design, fuel cycle, and isotope production research. Direct peer as a large-scale national nuclear R&D institution with research reactor operations and similar export-oriented technology development for domestic and emerging-market customers.
• Kurchatov Institute: Russia's national research center for nuclear energy and fusion, historically the Soviet counterpart to KAERI with reactor design, fuel cycle, and basic nuclear physics research. Direct peer in role and capabilities, though operating under different geopolitical and commercial conditions.

Broad incumbents

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL): US DOE multiprogram science laboratory with major nuclear and neutron science capabilities, including the Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor. Comparable to KAERI's neutron beam research mission and broader scientific infrastructure, though broader in scope beyond nuclear energy.
• Argonne National Laboratory: US DOE national laboratory with significant nuclear energy R&D, advanced reactor development, and nuclear fuel cycle programs. Broader scientific scope than KAERI but overlapping reactor technology and fuel cycle work, and a potential partner/competitor for advanced reactor design exports.
• China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC): Chinese state-owned nuclear conglomerate covering the full nuclear value chain from fuel to reactors, including ACP series SMR and HTR-PM high-temperature reactor. Broad incumbent competing with KAERI in emerging-market nuclear exports (notably Saudi Arabia and other Middle East targets).

Regional players

• Korea Atomic Industrial Co. (KAERI-adjacent) / KEPCO E&C: Korean nuclear reactor designer and engineering subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation, focused on APR1400 and SMART reactor commercial deployment. Regional peer that commercializes technology originating from KAERI R&D and competes globally for the same nuclear power plant and SMR contracts.

Emerging players

• NuScale Power: US-based SMR developer with NRC-approved small modular reactor design, actively pursuing global SMR commercial deployment. Emerging commercial competitor to KAERI's SMART100 in the global SMR market, particularly in the US where KAERI is also expanding research-reactor business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClh6ZbnWKnDAy50FOdg0SCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/atomkaeri
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaeri_padong2
• Xx.com/atom_kaeri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaeri

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KAERI