Cowellmedi’s New Smart Factory Opens in Busan’s Eco Delta City

Busan, South Korea  — Cowellmedi Co., Ltd., a Busan-based manufacturer of dental implants and synthetic bone graft materials, completed construction of its new Global Innovation Center on Tuesday in Eco Delta City. The two-story facility, covering 6,917 square meters, includes automated production lines and in-house research and development functions. It will serve as both the company’s second manufacturing site and new headquarters, relocated from Sasang District.

Founded in 1994, Cowellmedi was the first company in Korea to develop domestically manufactured dental implants. Its products, including the INNO Implant system and Cowell BMP bone substitute, are currently exported to more than 16 countries, and the company holds international certifications such as FDA approval in the United States. The new facility is located within a nationally designated Advanced Investment Zone and is part of Busan’s broader effort to attract high-value industries such as biohealth, smart water systems, and AI-driven technologies to Eco Delta City, a large-scale industrial development zone in Gangseo District.

The opening follows a ₩50 billion investment memorandum signed on June 23 between Busan Metropolitan City and Daewoo Pharmaceutical for the expansion of eyedrop manufacturing capacity in Saha District by 2027. Together, the two corporate milestones reflect the city’s ongoing efforts to implement its “9 Strategic Industries” master plan, adopted in December 2024, which prioritizes the biohealth sector as a future growth engine.

While expanding its manufacturing base, Busan is also positioning itself to host the National Dental Research Institute (NDRI), a public research body newly authorized under the amended Medical Technology Promotion Act in January 2024. The NDRI is expected to lead research and development in dental technologies, facilitate technology transfer, and support the training of clinical and technical professionals. A feasibility study and master plan for the institute are currently under development and are scheduled for completion in July 2025.

To support its bid, the city established a working-level task force in November 2024 and expanded it in May 2025 to include representatives from the Korea Dental Technologists Association, the Korean Dental Hygienists Association, and the Korea Dental Industry Association. On June 19, the task force held its third coordination meeting at the Busan Institute of Science & Technology and Higher Education Promotion (BISTEP) to review ongoing work and refine its strategic approach. The proposed site for the NDRI is located in Myeongji District, adjacent to Eco Delta City, offering direct access to Gimhae International Airport, the planned Gadeokdo New Airport, and Busan New Port. The area is also integrated with residential and educational infrastructure through the Myeongji International City development.

Busan officials cite the city’s extensive dental ecosystem—including local universities, hospitals, manufacturers, and exhibitions such as the Busan Dental Equipment Expo (BDEX)—as evidence of its readiness to host a national-level research institution. Cowellmedi’s new factory further supports this ecosystem by providing production capacity for export-oriented dental devices and a platform for industry-academic collaboration. The company has announced plans to offer facility tours for local students and participate in joint training initiatives with nearby universities.

Although the final location of the NDRI has yet to be determined, Busan continues to advocate for an open, competitive selection process. The city argues that its dual capability in industrial manufacturing and clinical research infrastructure offers a unique value proposition compared to other potential host regions. As new private-sector investments like Cowellmedi’s Global Innovation Center come online, Busan’s profile as a candidate for national dental research leadership is steadily expanding.