Yeosu National Industrial Complex Takes Rapid Steps to Foster 'White Bio Industry'

Promotion of White Bio Specialized Complex for Materials, Parts, and Equipment

Expert Advisory Committee Meeting Held on the 5th

Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong) announced that it is actively promoting the designation of the "White Bio Materials, Parts, and Equipment (SoBuJang) Specialized Complex" to develop the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, which is concentrated with petrochemical industries, into a hub for the white bio industry.

The "white bio industry" is an industry that produces chemical raw materials through biological processes using plants, enzymes, microorganisms, etc., and is also called the bio-chemical industry.

[Photo provided by Yeosu City]

Since petroleum or coal is not used in the production process, it generates less carbon dioxide and decomposes quickly in nature, making it carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly. It is gaining attention as an industry that can replace petrochemicals, mainly in the United States and Europe.

The Yeosu National Industrial Complex has long played a central role in the regional economy as a key industry in Korea, but it is currently facing its greatest crisis due to global supply chain disruptions, global trade shocks caused by the 2050 carbon neutrality obligations, and a decrease in exports to China.

In response, Yeosu City, together with Jeollanam-do, plans to establish the Yeosu National Industrial Complex as a white bio materials, parts, and equipment specialized complex, the first of its kind nationwide. Since October, it has been conducting a feasibility study and formulating a specialized complex strategy with a budget of 200 million KRW.

The "SoBuJang Specialized Complex" is a concept of a specialized complex that clusters demand and supply companies in related industrial fields to build a full-cycle cooperation system. The government supports this by expanding necessary infrastructure, activating investment, developing technology, conducting demonstrations, and providing regulatory exemptions to complete the industrial ecosystem.

To this end, in October, an expert advisory committee composed of specialists in the white bio industry was formed, and on the 5th, the first advisory meeting was held at the Chemical Industry Center of Jeonnam Technopark to discuss specific plans.

The city plans to accelerate the project by reflecting expert opinions several more times, aiming to apply for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's special zone designation in the second half of next year.

A city official stated, "We will actively help companies overcome global crises by creating a virtuous cycle from the strengths of our region's petrochemical industry to the white bio industry."

Meanwhile, currently, 10 specialized SoBuJang complexes have been designated nationwide in fields such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, displays, precision machinery, and autonomous driving. In the bio field, a medical bio specialized complex has been designated centered on Osong, Chungbuk, but Jeollanam-do is the first to promote a white bio specialized complex.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr