Ulsan

Status:

Innovation Twin

Population:

1.1m

Location:

Southeastern coast, Republic of Korea

Industry:

Automotive and shipbuilding, petrochemicals, maritime logistics, energy and offshore engineering, robotics and future mobility

Background:

Ulsan is South Korea’s industrial capital, home to global giants like Hyundai Heavy Industries and SK Energy.
Ulsan is known for its strong manufacturing base and growing focus on green energy and digital innovation.
The city also offers rich cultural and natural assets, including whale-watching heritage and the Ulsan Museum of Art.
The Birmingham–Ulsan Innovation Twin Partnership was launched in 2022 under the UK–Korea Innovation Twins Programme, led by Connected Places Catapult.
The partnership is supported by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Growth Company, TechWM, and local universities, and delivered through the DIATOMIC programme (funded by Innovate UK and WMCA).

latest activity and Current Projects:

Strategic focus areas:
- Governance & long-term collaboration: building sustainable frameworks for bilateral engagement.
- Knowledge exchange: joint workshops, reciprocal visits, and demonstrators.
- Research & innovation: joint PhD programmes, innovation sandpits, and commercialisation support.
- SME support & internationalisation: soft-landing programmes, investment readiness, and market access.
Key innovation themes:
- Circular economy & industrial symbiosis (e.g. hydrogen, batteries)
- Clean technology (e.g. offshore wind, green mobility)
- Medical & health technology (e.g. digital health, diagnostics)
- Smart cities (e.g. AI, intelligent mobility, urban resilience)
Interested in Birmingham’s dynamic partnership with Ulsan, South Korea? Share your ideas, join upcoming activities, or express interest in collaboration by filling out this form.
Latest activity:
- Signing of multiple MoUs between Birmingham and Ulsan stakeholders.
- Reciprocal visits by civic and academic leaders.
  - In October 2025, an Ulsan delegation was present during Birmingham Tech Week: Innovation twin in action: Birmingham and Ulsan lead the way in global innovation – Distinctly Birmingham
  - In May 2025, an Ulsan delegation visited Birmingham for the second time.
    - Learn all the details about it: Birmingham hosts Ulsan delegation to deepen innovation partnership
  - In February 2025, a Business and Academic delegation visited Ulsan in a 4-day trip.
    - Check the different posts on our social media! 
      - Day 1: Welcome by University of Ulsan
      - Day 2: Visit to UCCEI
      - Day 3: Business delegation programme; Academic delegation programme
  - Read all about their programme in Ulsan’s visit to Birmingham in October 2024: Ulsan Delegation Visits Birmingham During Birmingham Tech Week – Distinctly Birmingham
  - In May 2024, a civic, business and academic delegation visited Ulsan to meet key stakeholders in the South Korean side.
    - Explore more: Empowering innovation: Birmingham’s strategic partnership with South Korea
- Development of a five-year cooperation blueprint, with plans for a future Innovation Summit.

Ulsan

Background:

latest activity and Current Projects:

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