9,473-square-meter site to integrate aquaculture and research facilities; two-phase plan targets one-stop industrialization and technology transfer

A rendering of Korea's first land-based seaweed cultivation R&D center, which Pulmuone will build at the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex. [Pulmuone]
A rendering of Korea's first land-based seaweed cultivation R&D center, which Pulmuone will build at the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex. [Pulmuone]

Pulmuone announced Tuesday it will build Korea's first land-based seaweed cultivation R&D center at the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex.

The R&D center is linked to a government research initiative under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on developing sustainable, high-quality seaweed seed production and land-based aquaculture technology. It will serve as a test bed for demonstrating land-based cultivation techniques capable of year-round seaweed production and for laying the groundwork for commercialization. The facility will span 9,473 square meters (approximately 2,865 pyeong; 1 pyeong equals 3.3 square meters) and integrate aquaculture facilities, seawater intake, drainage and pretreatment systems, and research and support facilities.

The ground-breaking marks the first phase of the project, which will focus on building the core infrastructure needed to operate the test bed. A planned second phase will add a land-based seaweed cultivation building along with warehouse, processing and R&D facilities. Pulmuone said it aims to complete a one-stop industrialization system covering the entire process from production through processing and retail.

The bioreactor system based on cultivation tanks to be installed in the land-based seaweed facility will be the largest of its kind in Korea. The bioreactor precisely controls growing conditions — including temperature, light and nutrients — to enable stable, year-round seaweed production. Pulmuone plans to use the center as a hub to refine key processes in land-based seaweed cultivation and share the resulting industrialization model with local governments and regional fishers to accelerate technology transfer.

"We will build a sustainable aquaculture model grounded in our foodtech innovation capabilities and develop it into a future seafood industry that leads the global market," said Ahn Deok-jun, head of Pulmuone's foodtech business division.


siuu@heraldcorp.com