Ansan City Accelerates Transformation of Banwol·Sihwa Industrial Complex... Driving Manufacturing Innovation and Improving Working Conditions

Ansan City to Invest 28 Billion Won in AX Demonstration Complex
4.94 Billion Won for Sanridan-gil Development
Enhancing Corporate Competitiveness and Improving Working Conditions

Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Mingun) is accelerating its efforts to transform the Banwol·Sihwa National Industrial Complex into a future manufacturing hub based on artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to enhance corporate competitiveness through AI-driven transformation (AX) of manufacturing processes while simultaneously improving the working environment of aging industrial complexes, thus creating a setting where both companies and workers can grow together.

Kim Unhak, Head of the Industrial Support Headquarters, is explaining the plan to promote the establishment project of the AX demonstration complex and the Ansan Smart Hub Beautiful Street Sanridan-gil construction project in the first conference room of Ansan City Hall on the 8th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

On September 8th, Ansan City provided a policy briefing and revealed the status of its 28 billion won "Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) Demonstration Complex Construction Project" and the 4.94 billion won "Ansan Smart Hub Beautiful Street Sanridan-gil Development Project".

The core of both projects is "manufacturing innovation" and a "people-centered industrial complex." By integrating artificial intelligence and data into manufacturing sites, the aim is to improve productivity and efficiency, while refurbishing worn roads, pedestrian facilities, and resting areas to create an environment where workers can enjoy working and staying.

The "Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) Demonstration Complex Project" will receive a total investment of 28 billion won, including national, local, and private funds, from 2025 to 2028.

Ansan City plans to establish an open laboratory, an open research lab for manufacturing AI, to enable local companies to directly test and apply AI technologies to improve production processes. Universities and research institutes will partner with companies to analyze on-site problems together and develop and demonstrate the necessary technologies.

The printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing company TLB Co., Ltd. will be established as a leading AI factory, optimizing production conditions and applying smart manufacturing technologies such as autonomous mobile robots in actual manufacturing sites. Ansan City plans to share the performance outcomes of this lead factory with other companies to spread AI transformation throughout the entire industrial complex.

A comprehensive support center for "Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX)" will also be operated to assist companies in adopting AI. After diagnosing the AI utilization level of each company, the center will connect them with the necessary technologies and experts to provide tailored consulting and demonstration support.

A data-secured zone will be established where manufacturing, energy, and logistics data can be used safely, along with an integrated support platform that connects manufacturing enterprises with AI technology companies. Collaboration among companies, universities, research institutions, and local government will further support technology application and dissemination in the field.

The physical environment of the industrial complex is also set to change.

Ansan City is implementing the "Ansan Smart Hub Beautiful Street Sanridan-gil Development Project" to improve the aged infrastructure and working environment in the Banwol·Sihwa National Industrial Complex.

The Banwol·Sihwa National Industrial Complex, consisting of the Banwol, Sihwa, and Multi-Techno Valley (MTV) complexes, is Korea's largest cluster for semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment. As of December 2025, there are 21,885 companies located in the complex, creating approximately 243,000 jobs.

However, the long-standing nature of the complex has led to issues such as aging infrastructure and a lack of support facilities. In particular, there has been a continued demand to improve the residential and working environment to attract more young people and talent.

From June 2024 to June 2028, Ansan City will invest 4.94 billion won in a roughly 2-kilometer stretch from Gongdan Y-Valley Siu Station to Gongdansamgeori.

In the first phase, worn roads, bicycle lanes, electric facilities, and bus stops will be refurbished. Floor-level pedestrian signal lights and resting areas will be installed, and LED facilities for nighttime lighting will be expanded.

In the second phase, the transportation plaza in the Wonsi-dong area will be renovated, and an "Eum Plaza" will be created by utilizing unused spaces. The area will be equipped with an outdoor stage, benches, exercise equipment, and trees to provide workers a space close to their workplaces where they can rest and interact.

Ansan City plans to link the two projects and transform the Banwol·Sihwa complex from a mere production site into a future-oriented industrial complex where cutting-edge manufacturing technology coexists with a pleasant work environment.

Mayor Lee Mingun stated, "As Banwol·Sihwa Industrial Complex has been the driving force behind Ansan's industrial competitiveness, it is now time to promote both manufacturing innovation and improvements in the working environment, transitioning towards a future-oriented industrial complex. Production innovation using AI and data will strengthen companies' competitiveness, and a pleasant working environment will create a virtuous cycle that attracts young people and talent."

He added, "We will ensure smooth progress on these projects to make the industrial complex a place where companies and workers grow together and want to stay, allowing the Banwol·Sihwa Industrial Complex to become the center of South Korea's future manufacturing industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.