[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy launched the 'White Bio Solidarity Cooperation Council' on the 2nd to strengthen the competitiveness of the white bio industry.
The white bio industry is an industry that replaces materials of the existing chemical industry with bio-based ones by utilizing renewable resources such as plants, microorganisms, and enzymes.
The launch ceremony was held to form a network between bio companies and petrochemical companies to enhance the competitiveness of the white bio industry. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of the white bio industry, where the convergence of biotechnology necessary for raw material production and chemical process technology for productization of bio-based raw materials is essential.
The council includes 10 bio and chemical companies such as GS Caltex, CJ, Daesang, Lotte Chemical, and Aekyung Petrochemical, with support for council operations provided by the Korea Bio Association, Korea Petrochemical Industry Association, and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology.
After the signing ceremony, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will start a technology development (R&D) demand survey in the third quarter and hold quarterly subcommittee meetings to discover cooperation models. Cooperation models will be continuously developed in four areas: ▲ biodegradable plastics, ▲ biomass-based chemical product development, ▲ research on next-generation bio-based materials, and ▲ institutional improvement and incentive support.
Minister Sung Yun-mo emphasized, "With the increase in plastic demand and carbon neutrality declarations by major countries, fostering the white bio industry is not a choice but a necessary path," adding, "The launch of this council is expected to play an important role in creating an initial market for the domestic white bio industry, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will also continuously seek policy support measures."
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