'The Reversal of Manure’s Value'... 7 Billion Won Investment Turns Odorous Waste into Profit [FTA Transforming Agriculture] ④

Results of FTA Support Measures
Hallasan Bio Builds Facility with 7 Billion Won Investment
Resource Recovery and Electricity Production Without Odor
Established as a "Model for Livestock Environmental Management"

The exterior view of Hallasan Bio's headquarters visited on the 11th. It is a resource recovery facility that converts livestock manure into energy and fertilizer, serving as a key hub for improving the livestock environment in the Jeju region. Photo by Kang Nahum

The domestic support measures for free trade agreements (FTA) promoted by the government are delivering tangible results in the livestock sector in Jeju. Hallasan Bio is a representative example, being recognized as a facility that transforms livestock manure into renewable energy and fertilizer, fundamentally changing the environmental foundation of the region’s livestock industry. In Jeju, approximately 550,000 to 600,000 pigs are raised, generating close to 2,500 tons of manure per day. Hallasan Bio plays a key role in stably processing and converting this manure into resources. On-site, it is said that “the structure of converting manure from a burden into a resource has been firmly established.”

Jeju’s Leading Resource Recovery Facility Built with Government Support

The development of Hallasan Bio’s current system was made possible by systematic government support. The facility was selected in 2012 as a target for the joint livestock manure resource recovery facility project. A total of 7 billion won was invested, comprising 4.2 billion won in national and local government funds and 2.8 billion won in private investment. Construction began in 2013 and was completed in June 2015, providing a crucial foundation for stabilizing manure management in Jeju’s pig farming industry. This project was established in line with domestic support measures aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural and livestock industries following the conclusion of FTAs. Since 2008, the government has invested more than 40 trillion won to improve the livestock environment and expand related infrastructure.

The facility’s significance is further heightened by Jeju’s particular sensitivity regarding manure treatment infrastructure. Due to its mountainous terrain and heavy reliance on groundwater, improper management of manure in Jeju can easily lead to contamination of rivers and spring water. As a result, the local community places great importance on the technical standards and stable operation of manure treatment facilities. Hallasan Bio has been operating in a way that reliably meets local environmental standards through equipment and process systems tailored to these needs. Song Myunghwa, CEO of Hallasan Bio, stated, “Given Jeju’s stringent environmental regulations, technological reliability is extremely important,” adding, “The stability of the facility is directly linked to the foundation of the entire livestock industry, including the local community.”

Jeju Hallasan Bio's biogas power generation facility. It is a key facility that produces electricity by utilizing gas generated through anaerobic fermentation, capable of producing up to 2000 kW of electricity per day. Photo by Kang Nahum

Eco-Friendly Process Based on Anaerobic Digesters... Even Power Generation

Upon entering the facility, the first thing that stands out is the anaerobic digester. Manure is fermented at about 40 degrees Celsius in a sealed structure, during which odor-causing substances are separated and biogas is generated. Hallasan Bio converts this gas into electricity for sale. In the past, when food waste leachate was also used, the facility produced 10,000 to 12,000 kW per day-enough to supply 500 households. Currently, it still produces about 2,000 kW per day, maintaining its role as a source of renewable energy. CEO Song commented, “The amount of electricity produced varies depending on the composition of the raw materials, but stable production is possible with just livestock manure,” adding, “We are contributing to both reducing the environmental burden of Jeju’s livestock industry and facilitating the energy transition.”

The liquid remaining after fermentation is refined twice through ceramic filters. This refined liquid fertilizer is supplied to mid-mountain pastures and some orchards in Jeju, mostly free of charge. With the sharp rise in chemical fertilizer prices, this significantly reduces fertilizer costs for farmers. While liquid fertilizer is particularly useful for pastures, its potential application to orchards and field crops is also being discussed. There is growing anticipation that, with expanded cooperation with agricultural technology institutions, more utilization models tailored to different crops will emerge. CEO Song explained, “The refined liquid fertilizer is of high quality and safety, so it can potentially be used for a wider variety of crops,” adding, “Farmers will have more choices going forward.”

Another notable feature of the facility is the near absence of odor. In typical manure treatment facilities, the process of injecting air during fermentation often results in odors spreading outside. However, at Hallasan Bio, most of the fermentation process takes place in sealed anaerobic digesters, so there is almost no external emission. In fact, on-site odor is barely noticeable, and there are reportedly very few complaints from local residents. Jeju has some of the strictest environmental regulations for manure treatment facilities in the country, and Hallasan Bio is regarded as a case that meets these standards and has earned the trust of the local community.

Filtration equipment used to refine livestock manure into high-purity liquid fertilizer. Photo by Kang Nahum

Diversifying Raw Materials Is a Future Task... Core Infrastructure for a Circular Economy

Hallasan Bio is operated by a team of eight full-time employees. Given that the facility runs 24 hours a day, specialized personnel are assigned to different processes to maintain operational stability. The roles include fermentation process management, gas recovery, equipment inspection, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Since these various tasks must be carried out simultaneously, the role of skilled staff is crucial. Employees also expressed a sense of duty, stating, “The stable operation of the facility is directly linked to the stability of Jeju’s livestock industry.”

Hallasan Bio achieved an 8.7% increase in revenue through increased liquid fertilizer supply and improved process efficiency. Although the liquid fertilizer is supplied free of charge, overall improvements in operations-such as electricity sales and enhanced treatment efficiency-have led to increased revenue. CEO Song said, “Thanks to the infrastructure established through support projects, stable operation has been possible so far,” adding, “A structure that simultaneously produces renewable energy and improves the environment has been firmly established.”

There are also future challenges. Since biogas production cannot be significantly increased using only livestock manure, there is potential to boost output if a regulatory framework is established to allow the use of various organic resources, such as food waste. Recently, the resource recovery of organic waste has emerged as a key task for carbon reduction and the expansion of the circular economy, highlighting the need to further strengthen the role of private resource recovery facilities. CEO Song stated, “We are continuously improving our technology, and if institutional improvements are made, the biogas industry in Jeju has room for further growth,” adding, “We hope to contribute to the advancement of the region’s overall resource circulation system.”

The Hallasan Bio case demonstrates that FTA domestic support measures have acted as a catalyst for restructuring the agricultural and livestock industries, going beyond simple subsidy support. As the virtuous cycle of converting manure into renewable energy and fertilizer has taken root, the foundation of Jeju’s livestock industry has become more stable. CEO Song said, “The era when manure was a burden to the local community is coming to an end,” adding, “Resource recovery facilities have firmly established themselves as core infrastructure supporting the sustainability of Jeju’s livestock industry.”

Production Support: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Korea Rural Economic Institute