Professor Park Yongcheol of Kookmin University Receives Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award at 'Bio Entrepreneurs Day'

[Professor Yongcheol Park, Department of Bio-Fermentation Convergence, Kookmin University (Photo by Kookmin University)]

Kookmin University (President Lim Hong-jae) announced on the 7th that Professor Park Yong-chul of Kookmin University received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award in recognition of his outstanding R&D achievements in the field of biochemical engineering at the ‘2022 Bio Entrepreneurs Day’ event.

The event, held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul and hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Bio Association, and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, was held for the third time this year to boost the morale of bio entrepreneurs and reward those who contributed to the development of the bio industry.

At the event, Professor Park Yong-chul of the Department of Bio-Fermentation Convergence at Kookmin University, who received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award, was recognized for his contributions to the development of fermentation yeast through the Bio-Industry Core Technology Development Project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, publishing numerous patents and papers, and founding a fermentation yeast venture company, thereby contributing to the development of the bio industry and job creation.

Professor Park Yong-chul of the Department of Bio-Fermentation Convergence at Kookmin University said, “It is very meaningful to receive this award as it signifies a great contribution to the advancement of white biotechnology for achieving carbon neutrality,” adding, “I plan to further develop the technology and continue research for the mass production of sustainable bioplastics, fuels, chemical materials, and active materials. Together with BioCraft Co., Ltd., a yeast-specialized company founded based on this technology, we will further advance precision fermentation technology, a cutting-edge food technology.”

Based on his academic and technological achievements, Professor Park Yong-chul established BioCraft Co., Ltd., a company specializing in the development and production of brewing yeast, in 2020. Currently, the company is working on replacing all imported brewing fermentation yeast with domestically produced yeast and has developed an excellent native fermentation yeast called K-yeast, seeking to enter overseas markets such as China, Europe, and the United States.