Sep 20, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. South Korean Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced on September 20 plans to create an Innovation Center of Excellence in Asia, to be located in KiHeung City in South Korea's Gyeonggi-do province, a few miles south of Seoul. "This center will serve as a key resource supporting Kimberly-Clark's commitment to discover, develop and deliver emerging technologies that foster future growth and take the company to the next level of performance as a premier health and hygiene leader," said Cheryl Perkins, senior vice president and chief innovation officer for Kimberly-Clark. The South Korean government's Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is providing a $1.6 million incentive package to Kimberly-Clark to create the Innovation Center, which the company plans to locate within the campus of the Yuhan Research Institute. The center is expected to open in the first quarter of 2007. At a signing ceremony held today, the agreement for the incentive package was completed by Perkins; Sye-Kyun Chung, South Korea's minister of commerce, industry and energy; and Ki-Hwa Hong, president of KOTRA. The center in Asia will be closely aligned with Kimberly-Clark's existing research staff in Neenah, Wisconsin, and Roswell, Georgia, and will collaborate closely with the academic, research and design communities in Korea. Utilizing the company's open innovation model, which leverages external relationships and networks, the center will focus on emerging technology and design platforms to create next generation health and hygiene solutions. The KOTRA incentive being offered to Kimberly-Clark is part of the South Korean government's Human Resources Development Program, initiated in 2004 by the ministry of commerce, industry and energy to attract foreign investment and encourage multinational companies to locate regional headquarters and centers in Korea. Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Everyday, 1.3 billion people - nearly a quarter of the world's population - trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. Kimberly- Clark holds №1 or №2 share positions in more than 80 countries.