Aetech, which has developed AI robots for waste recycling, has expanded its robot development and production facilities. It aims to drive an expansion of robot supply contracts as it has increased its production capacity (CAPA). Brand identity (CI) and rebranding are also underway to align with business expansion.

According to the venture capital (VC) industry on the 9th, Aetech has established a robot center in Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, and recently completed its move-in. The total area amounts to 900 pyeong (approximately 2975m²). This integration combines the previous research and development (R&D) conducted in Gasan and Yeoksam, Seoul.

Jaeho Ryu, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Aetech, mentioned, "All employees have moved into a 5-story building with a floor area of 200-250 pyeong each. It is expected that the concentration of robot research, production, business commercialization, and related operations in one place will maximize production capacity improvement."

Building on the expansion of Atron supply this year,Aetech has set a goal of increasing annual sales to 10 billion KRW. The sales in the first half of the year amounted to approximately 3 billion KRW. Currently, Aetech is discussing Aitron supply contracts with several companies and pushing for opportunities to conduct overseas verification projects to achieve its goal.

Established in 2020, Aetech is a startup that has developed waste sorting AI robots, providing them to private and public recycling sorting facilities. Atron, developed by Aetech, is an AI-based resource sorting robot. This has automated the previous labor-intensive waste sorting process.

The effectiveness of Atron usage is remarkable, according to the company's explanation. The waste sorting speed has increased by 240% compared to the previous method, leading to a 266% reduction in waste sorting costs. AI algorithms are used in waste sorting. It can automatically classify waste based on its composition, color, and use.

Atron recognizes waste with 99.3% accuracy, sorting up to 96 pieces per minute, and has been commercialized for the first time in private and public recycling sorting facilities in Korea. Aetech has expanded its supply chain this year by signing a business agreement with SK E&C. It is also conducting a technology development project under purchase conditions with SK E&C.

Its technological competitiveness has also been recognized. In the 'Global Awards 2024' by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), also known as the 'Nobel Prize of the Patent World,' Aetech was honored as the first domestic company. Aetech holds a history of 10 registered domestic patents, 18 applications, and 7 international patent (PCT) applications, including patents related to AI-based recycling sorting systems.

To expand its business model (BM), Aetech is establishing a robotic resource recovery center. Aetech independently conducts all processes such as waste sorting, washing, and transportation. The robotic resource recovery center is a facility that automates the process of turning waste entering the sorting facility into recycled materials, such as flakes.

Aetech is pursuing the construction of a robotic resource recovery center in Seo-gu, Incheon. The internal design is currently in progress, and the company's plan is to complete construction by the second half of this year. Additionally, it plans to establish a resource recovery center in Gyeonggi Province, specialized in waste sorting, washing, and drying.

Rebranding efforts are also underway to align with business expansion. This includes a comprehensive reorganization involving CI.

Ryu, the CSO, mentioned, "As we are actively increasing production capacity and expanding the supply chain, the process of preparing for the initial public offering (IPO) aimed at the second half of 2025 will progress without difficulty." Aetech is preparing for an IPO with the goal of the second half of next year. The lead manager is KB Securities.

Meanwhile, Aetech has received a total of 12.2 billion KRW in investments through the series A round. Financial investors (FIs) such as Vision Creator, SooFung Ventures, GS Ventures, Hana Financial Investment, Blue Corner, KB Securities, IBK Capital, Muse Ventures, LK Technology Investment, Welcome Capital, and Oracle Venture Investment have contributed.

By Young-a Lee

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