The invasive plant Japanese knotweed is being repurposed as a functional ingredient for health supplements, potentially becoming a new source of income for farmers in the Jeonnam region.
(Re) Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency's Green Bio Division and Pens Co., Ltd. announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cultivate Japanese knotweed, designated as an invasive species, into a safe and standardized functional ingredient for health supplements.
Under this agreement, both parties plan to jointly establish a safety management system and industrialization foundation for Japanese knotweed in connection with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 'Natural Material Standardization Hub Project.'
A key focus will be on creating a management system to prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed beyond cultivation areas during its industrial use.
Pens Co., Ltd. has been researching functional materials derived from Japanese knotweed for about a decade. The developed 'Japanese Knotweed Extract Powder (HSy2)' has been recognized as a functional ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's Health Functional Food Review Committee. The 194th meeting results published by the Ministry also confirm the recognition of Japanese Knotweed Extract Powder (HSy2) as a functional ingredient.
According to Pens Co., Ltd., related technologies have been patented in ten countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union.
The two parties aim to establish a standardized supply chain from raw material production to cultivation, harvesting, and processing through this agreement.
Given that Japanese knotweed is an invasive species, they will apply management standards to prevent its spread. In open fields, harvesting will be completed before the plant flowers to inhibit seed production, and soil mulching will be implemented. For facility cultivation, barriers will be installed to prevent seed dispersal, and any remaining plant material after harvest will be collected and disposed of.
There is growing interest in whether the industrialization of Japanese knotweed will translate into actual income for farmers.
Currently, contract cultivation is being pursued across approximately 40,000 pyeong in four regions of Jeonnam: Boseong, Goheung, Jangheung, and Hwasun. The plan is to establish a supply chain where all produced raw materials are purchased.
Pens Co., Ltd. explained that the cultivation process could reduce the burden of pest management and the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and if contract cultivation and full purchasing are established, it could serve as a differentiated income source for farmers compared to existing crops.
However, thorough verification of the cultivation and management of invasive plants and the potential for external spread must be conducted before expanding contract cultivation.
Both parties plan to conduct joint research with local governments in the cultivation areas to verify the effectiveness of the spread prevention guidelines and continue discussions with environmental authorities.
Baek Dong-hyuk, head of the Natural Resources Research Division at the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency, stated, "This agreement is an attempt to create a new bio-industry model that utilizes invasive species as high-value resources. We aim to establish a standardized raw material supply chain that ensures safety and contributes to increasing farmers' income and revitalizing the domestic natural product industry."
Kim Hong-sik, CEO of Pens Co., Ltd., also remarked, "By expanding contract cultivation of Japanese knotweed in the Jeonnam region, we will provide farmers with stable income opportunities and contribute to enhancing agricultural competitiveness and revitalizing the local economy."
Meanwhile, the 'Japanese Knotweed Extract Powder (HSy2)' has been recognized as a functional ingredient after review by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's Health Functional Food Review Committee. The Ministry operates a separate recognition and standardization system for functional ingredients in health supplements. Therefore, in the future industrialization process, quality standardization of functional ingredients, along with management at each stage of cultivation, harvesting, and disposal of invasive plants, will need to be implemented.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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