CloudAir Transfers Technology Rights for Three Patents on 'Astaxanthin Rapid Conversion Method' Utilizing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] CloudAir recently announced on the 4th that it has completed the transfer of three patents (two domestic patents and one Japanese patent), including the "Method for Increasing Astaxanthin Production in Haematococcus pluvialis by Inoculating Mature Spores at High Temperature and Iron Ion-Mediated Haber-Weiss Reaction" (Japanese Patent No. 6276862), signed with Korea University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation.

The "High-Speed Conversion Method of Astaxanthin from Carbon Dioxide in Industrial Exhaust Gas Using Microalgae" is an eco-friendly CO2 reduction technology that transfers waste CO2 from exhaust gases emitted by power plants or factories to a photobioreactor, reducing emissions through a photo-conversion system (biological photosynthesis of microorganisms) while simultaneously converting it at high speed into astaxanthin, a high-value natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

While commercially widely used microalgae photobioreactor systems in Japan occupy relatively large areas, CloudAir’s microalgae photobioreactor technology enables production through the introduction of smart farms and the construction of layered photobioreactor facilities. CloudAir expects to significantly increase production per unit area, thereby boosting sales, and plans to first dominate the domestic market, which currently imports all astaxanthin, before expanding into the Japanese market.

As part of creating new carbon reduction businesses, CloudAir signed a technology transfer agreement related to the "High-Speed Conversion Method of Astaxanthin from Carbon Dioxide in Industrial Exhaust Gas Using Microalgae" with Korea University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation on September 29 last year. Subsequently, on January 22, CloudAir, Korea University, and Korea District Heating Corporation, a real clean LNG combustion-based greenhouse gas emitter, signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU).

With the completion of the transfer of the three core patent technologies, CloudAir plans to secure additional technologies for the full-scale commercialization of this technology in cooperation with its affiliate Kyungnam Pharmaceutical, Korea University, and Korea District Heating Corporation. The company also plans to proceed with phased investments until the related business reaches a normal trajectory.

A company official stated, "With the completion of this patent transfer and technology transfer, we will accelerate our new business," adding, "CloudAir will also do its best to contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions."