'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, Facility Built 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 FTA domestic support measures promoted by the government are delivering tangible results in the livestock sector in Jeju. Hallasan Bio is a representative example, as it is recognized as a facility that transforms livestock manure into renewable energy and fertilizer, fundamentally changing the environmental foundation of the regional livestock industry. In Jeju, approximately 550,000 to 600,000 pigs are raised, generating nearly 2,500 tons of manure per day. Hallasan Bio plays a crucial role in stably processing and converting this manure into resources. On site, it is now common to hear that "the system of turning manure from a burden into a resource has been fully 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 recipient of the joint livestock manure resource recovery facility project, and was built with a total investment of 7 billion won-4.2 billion won in national and local government funds and 2.8 billion won in private contributions. Construction began in 2013 and was completed in June 2015. Since its completion, it has served as a key foundation for stabilizing manure management in Jeju’s pig farming industry. This project was established in line with the purpose of domestic support measures to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural and livestock sectors following FTA agreements. Since 2008, the government has invested more than 40 trillion won to continuously improve the livestock environment and expand related infrastructure.

Jeju’s particular sensitivity to manure treatment infrastructure further underscores the significance of this facility. Due to its mountainous terrain and high dependence on groundwater, improper manure management 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 Myeonghwa, CEO of Hallasan Bio, stated, "Given Jeju’s stringent environmental regulations, technological reliability is extremely important. 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 Electricity Production

Upon entering the facility, the first thing that stands out is the anaerobic digester. Manure is fermented at around 40 degrees Celsius in a sealed structure, during which odor components 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 electricity to 500 households. Currently, it continues to produce about 2,000 kW per day, maintaining its role as a renewable energy source. CEO Song explained, "The amount of electricity produced varies depending on the composition of raw materials, but stable production is possible even with only livestock manure. 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-mostly free of charge-to mid-mountain pastures and some orchards in Jeju. Given the significant rise in chemical fertilizer prices, this has greatly reduced fertilizer costs for farmers. While liquid fertilizer is particularly useful for pastures, its potential use for orchards and field crops is also being discussed. There are expectations that, as collaboration with agricultural technology institutions expands, more application models tailored to different crop characteristics will emerge. CEO Song stated, "The refined liquid fertilizer is high in quality and safety, so it could be used for a wider variety of crops. The range of choices available to farmers will continue to expand."

Another notable feature of the facility is the near absence of odor. In typical manure treatment facilities, odors often escape during the fermentation process when air is injected, but at Hallasan Bio, most of the fermentation takes place in sealed anaerobic digesters, resulting in almost no external leakage. In fact, on site, odors are barely noticeable, and there are reportedly almost no complaints from local residents. Jeju has the strictest environmental regulations on manure treatment facilities in the country, and Hallasan Bio is recognized 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 Challenge... A Key Infrastructure for Transitioning to a Circular Economy

Hallasan Bio is operated by eight full-time employees. Due to the nature of the facility, which runs 24 hours a day, specialists are assigned to each process to ensure operational stability. Skilled staff play a significant role as various tasks-such as fermentation process management, gas recovery, equipment inspection, and compliance with environmental standards-must be carried out simultaneously. Employees also expressed a sense of duty, saying, "Stable facility operation is directly linked to the stability of Jeju’s livestock industry."

Hallasan Bio achieved an 8.7% increase in sales through greater supply of liquid fertilizer and improved process efficiency. Although the liquid fertilizer is supplied free of charge, overall improvements in operations, such as electricity sales and increased treatment efficiency, have resulted in higher revenue. CEO Song commented, "Thanks to the foundation built through government-supported projects, stable operations have been possible so far. The system 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 expand output if institutional frameworks allow for the use of various organic resources, such as food waste. Recently, as the resource recovery of organic waste has emerged as a key task for carbon reduction and the expansion of the circular economy, the need to further strengthen the role of private resource recovery facilities is being emphasized. CEO Song stated, "We are continuously improving our technology, and if institutional improvements are made, there is room for further growth in Jeju’s biogas industry. I hope to contribute to the advancement of the region’s overall resource circulation system."

The Hallasan Bio case is evaluated as evidence that the FTA domestic support measures have served as a catalyst for transforming the structure of the agricultural and livestock industries, going beyond simple subsidy support. As the virtuous cycle of converting manure into renewable energy and fertilizer has become established, the foundation of Jeju’s livestock industry has become more stable. CEO Song stated, "The era when manure was a burden on the local community is coming to an end. Resource recovery facilities have clearly become a key infrastructure supporting the sustainability of Jeju’s livestock industry."

Production support: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs · Korea Rural Economic Institute