Bio Startup Mbiome... Overseas Expansion Through Seoul Startup Hub
Using Microorganisms Instead of Disinfectants, Less Environmental Impact and Safer
Developed Recyclable Air Conditioner Filter... Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions
A local driver is taking a commemorative photo in front of a vehicle equipped with Embiome's solution in Singapore.
During this summer when COVID-19 was rampant, disinfectants were distributed to drivers of the Indonesian decacorn (a private venture valued at over $1 billion) ride-sharing company ‘Gojek’. The response to this disinfectant, which uses minimal chemical products to reduce environmental impact, exceeded expectations. It was perfect for drivers working in hot environments because it was clean without alcohol scent or other odors. The disinfectant was created by the Korean startup Mbiome. Through the overseas proof of concept (PoC) support project of Seoul Startup Hub, they conducted local promotion and product commercialization tests for vehicle disinfectants in Indonesia. Seoul Startup Hub is actively conducting PoC projects worldwide, including in Spain, the United States, Singapore, and Vietnam. Having established a name locally through this project, Mbiome is now stepping firmly into the Southeast Asian market with its main product, an in-vehicle air management solution. We spoke in detail with Yoon Ki-young, CEO of Mbiome, about the global market challenge of ‘K-Startup’.
On the 9th, CEO Yoon said, "We have completed the establishment of a joint venture-type branch in Singapore and expect actual sales to begin next year." Mbiome is a biotechnology startup that started in 2014 as an in-house venture program of Hyundai Motor Company and spun off in 2019. It possesses technology that reduces vehicle air conditioner odors based on odorless microorganisms. They also developed a resource-circulating air conditioner filter.
Based on this technological capability, Mbiome plans to expand its local business in Singapore by partnering with Southeast Asia’s largest ride-sharing platform Grab and vehicle leasing company Lumens. Companies that have collaborated with Mbiome, such as Grab and Gojek, provide services throughout Southeast Asia, so the growth potential is expected to be immense. Hyundai Motor Company’s various local business activities also support Mbiome’s progress. CEO Yoon introduced, "There are many places hoping to collaborate."
The reason Mbiome is gaining attention in the global market lies in the sustainability of its technology. Mbiome’s solution application can lead to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management practices. Previously, sterilizing agents were used to reduce air conditioner odors. However, this posed risks of various side effects, including incidents like the humidifier disinfectant case. CEO Yoon explained, "I thought using strong sterilizers to eliminate air conditioner odors was not the right direction, so we composed a solution based on microorganisms," adding, "We create an odorless environment using microorganisms whose safety has been verified without using chemical components."
Regarding air conditioner filters, the previous method was incineration after use. Mbiome newly designed filters so they can be collected and recycled. For example, CEO Yoon explained that using 20,000 Mbiome filters can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from incineration equivalent to the amount absorbed annually by 1,168 30-year-old pine trees. Mbiome is also conducting business in partnership with TerraCycle, a global recycling consulting company. They signed an agreement with the W Foundation to jointly develop greenhouse gas reduction and carbon credit projects in the automotive parts sector.
Mbiome’s air conditioner odor reduction technology is applied to Hyundai Motor Company vehicles, and the filter technology is undergoing proof of concept stages with several mobility companies while pushing for commercialization. With this technology, Mbiome’s strategy is to expand its entry regions starting from Southeast Asia. CEO Yoon said, "Mbiome’s technology was first applied at Hyundai Motor’s India plant, so we want to actively penetrate the Indian market," adding, "We will globally expand the countries we enter and apply the technology not only to automotive air conditioners but also to various business fields."
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