Pulmuone has announced the construction of Korea's first land-based seaweed research and development (R&D) center in the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex, aiming to foster the future of the seafood industry.
On June 9, Pulmuone revealed that it has begun construction on the 'Seaweed Land-Based Aquaculture R&D Center' in Saemangeum, which is part of a national project led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to develop sustainable high-quality seaweed seed production and land-based aquaculture technology. The center will serve as a hub for demonstrating year-round seaweed production technology and developing industrialization models.
The center will cover a total area of 9,473 square meters (approximately 2.86 acres) and will be equipped with integrated research infrastructure, including aquaculture facilities, seawater intake and discharge systems, and research and support facilities. In the first phase of the project, key facilities such as the seaweed aquaculture building, seawater treatment facilities, and office buildings will be established, with plans for a second phase expansion based on the results of the initial demonstrations.
The second phase will include the construction of additional aquaculture buildings, storage facilities, processing units, and research buildings, significantly expanding the center's capacity. Notably, it will feature the country's largest bio-reactor-based aquaculture system, which allows for precise control of temperature, light, and nutrients to enable stable seaweed production indoors.
Pulmuone plans to establish a 'one-stop industrialization system' that encompasses the entire process from production to processing and distribution.
The company is also accelerating the development of a regional coexistence model. Pulmuone intends to share the aquaculture technology and industrialization models developed at the R&D center with local governments and regional fishers, aiming to expand these practices to nearby aquaculture complexes. The structure will ensure that all seaweed produced in these complexes is purchased by Pulmuone, creating a stable income source for the region while securing a supply chain for the company.
Since starting seaweed seed research in 2006, Pulmuone became the first private company to obtain seaweed variety protection rights in 2014 and began full-scale development of land-based aquaculture technology in 2021. Last year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries recognized Pulmuone's expertise by selecting it as the final contractor for a five-year, 35 billion won seaweed land-based aquaculture technology development project. The company is currently conducting demonstration research on land-based aquaculture technology in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, and Taean, South Chungcheong Province.
Anduk-jun, head of Pulmuone's food tech division, stated, "The Saemangeum R&D center will be a crucial turning point for demonstrating and establishing the industrialization foundation of seaweed land-based aquaculture technology. We aim to build a sustainable seafood model based on food tech innovation capabilities and lead the global market in the future seafood industry."
Land-based seaweed aquaculture is a technology that artificially replicates marine environments indoors to produce seaweed. It is gaining attention as next-generation aquaculture technology due to its reduced vulnerability to climate change and ocean environmental shifts, as well as its ability to maintain consistent quality.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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