[NOROO Bio Convergence Research Institute, Photo courtesy of NOROO holdings co. ltd.] 

'NOROO Bio-Convergence Research Institute ' under NOROO Holdings Co., Ltd. participated in a national project supported by ‘Korea Marine Fisheries Science and Technology Agency’.

In order to carry out the ``new project to develop technology for domestic production of marine bio-industrial materials,'' the ``seaweed biorefinery research group,'' which is an industry-academia collaborative discussion group, was established with major domestic universities (7 universities in total) including POSTECH(Pohang University of Science & Technology) and Seoul National University. 

The theme is "Seaweed-based Integrated Bioprocess Development for Environmentally Friendly Plastic Materials"

Extraction. The ultimate goal is to apply copper substances to environmentally friendly plastics.

The core substance is called '3HP' (3-Hydroxypropionic acid), which is unfamiliar to the general public and is extracted through bioprocesses from natural materials such as algae, microorganisms, and corn. 3HP is so important that it was ed as one of the ``Future Materials Top 12'' ed by the US Department of Energy (DOE). ). It can be applied to a wide range of fields, such as naturally degradable plastics and high-absorbency resins for sanitary products.

An official from the Marine Fisheries Science and Technology Agency, which supports the project, said, "The development of eco-friendly biomaterials is an essential issue for future generations. ', he said.

In addition, an official of POSTECH(Pohang University of Science & Technology), who is in charge of the research part, said, "We are pleased to develop materials that are friendly to the future environment in earnest with NOROO Bio Convergence Research Institute’." Bio-based 3HP is extracted from natural materials and is sustainable. It is possible, and we believe that we can improve the problems caused by existing petrochemicals and contribute to the solution of white pollution and global warming, which have recently become social problems."

‘NOROO Bio Convergence Research Institute’ currently possesses 3HP production capacity and acid technology and plans to complete the construction of 'Demo Scale' facilities by the end of this year for optimized automation processes.