SPC Group and Kangwon National University Establish 'Yeast Research Center'

On the 21st, attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the 'New East Frontier Center' plaque ceremony held at the Nuruk Research Institute of Gangwon National University Chuncheon Campus. From the left, Jae-su Lee, Mayor of Chuncheon, Heon-yeong Kim, President of Gangwon National University, and Jin-ho Seo, Director of SPC Food and Life Biotechnology Research Institute.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] SPC Group announced on the 24th that it has established the "New East Frontier Center" for joint yeast research in collaboration with Kangwon National University and held a plaque ceremony.

The "New East Frontier Center," located at the Nuruk Research Institute in Jiphyeon Hall on Kangwon National University's Chuncheon campus, was established according to the "Research Cooperation Agreement for Securing Excellent Yeast Resources for Baking" signed by SPC Group and Kangwon National University in September 2021. It is expected to serve as an outpost for developing and industrializing excellent yeast for baking, as well as conducting various collaborative projects.

The event held on the 21st was attended by about 20 officials, including Jin-ho Seo, Director of SPC Food Biotechnology Research Institute; Hyun-young Kim, President of Kangwon National University; Myung-dong Kim, Director of the Nuruk Research Institute at Kangwon National University; Jae-su Lee, Mayor of Chuncheon; and Sang-cheon Lee, Director of the Gangwon Regional Small and Medium Venture Business Administration.

Jin-ho Seo, Director of SPC Food Biotechnology Research Institute, said, "Through the establishment of this center, we will develop next-generation baking fermentation starters and further solidify the technological foundation for the globalization of K-Food." He added, "Based on the ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management philosophy, we will build a close industry-academia cooperation system and take the lead in securing the global competitiveness of the domestic fermentation industry."

President Hyun-young Kim stated, "Based on the experience and technology of both institutions, which have played a leading role in discovering and commercializing native microbial strains based on nuruk, we expect to make a significant contribution to the development of Korea's fermentation industry." He also said, "We will spare no support to ensure that the 'New East Frontier Center' establishes itself as a research center with international competitiveness."

Meanwhile, both SPC Group and Kangwon National University have devoted great effort to discovering native microorganisms using "nuruk" as a material. SPC Group established the "SPC Food Biotechnology Research Institute" in 2005 to conduct basic research on microorganisms and food materials, and in 2016, it succeeded in discovering and commercializing native yeast for baking from traditional nuruk for the first time in Korea. Kangwon National University established the "Nuruk Research Institute" in February 2020 in collaboration with Chuncheon City to discover excellent strains and provide technical support.