Researchers inspect land-grown seaweed at CJ CheilJedang's research center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of CJ CheilJedang
CJ CheilJedang will roll out land-grown Korean seaweed through a new commercialization facility, as the company looks to capitalize on growing global demand for Korean seaweed while responding to rising seawater temperatures and other climate change-driven disruptions.
The company said Monday it will establish the land-based farming facility in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in August.
The move marks a commercialization stage following the company's development of Korea’s first seaweed land farming technology in 2018, successfully cultivating seaweed in a 3-ton tank in 2021 and securing a dedicated seaweed variety in 2022.
The facility is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year, and seaweed products produced there will be marketed under the Bibigo Seaweed brand. To support the project, CJ CheilJedang will establish cooperation programs with local governments and fishing communities.
