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Wando County in South Jeolla Province is accelerating the development of the marine bioindustry based on seaweed.
On January 19, the county announced that it is focusing its administrative efforts on transforming the local industrial structure from one centered on raw seaweed production, as the nation's largest seaweed producer, to a seaweed-specialized marine bioindustry.
The marine bioindustry applies biotechnology to marine biological resources such as seaweed to create high added value in the fields of food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, and resources.
The global marine bioindustry market is projected to grow from 7.2 billion dollars (approximately 10 trillion won) in 2023 to 12.8 billion dollars (approximately 18 trillion won) by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5 percent. In particular, the seaweed-based market is expected to grow even faster, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5 percent, outpacing the overall marine bioindustry.
The government has also presented a plan for a "Dynamic Marine Industry for the Future," fostering Wando as a hub for the seaweed-specialized industry. Wando County is equipped with research facilities such as the Jeonnam Institute of Marine and Fisheries Science (Fisheries Seed Research Center), the Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation (Marine Bio Headquarters), and the Chosun University Marine Life Research and Education Center.
Over the years, through proposals for national funding and the attraction of public projects, the county has achieved concrete results such as the establishment of a Marine Bio Joint Cooperation Research Institute, a Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center, and a cosmetics prototype production line at the Marine Bio Headquarters of the Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation.
Currently, 26 companies are housed in the Marine Bio Joint Cooperation Research Institute, working on product development and commercialization. Among them, Inoflux Co., Ltd. has developed cosmetics using seaweed by-products and has entered both domestic department stores and overseas markets, including the United States and Dubai.
The Marine Healthcare Efficacy Verification Center, operated by Chosun University, has supported companies by registering 39 cases of seaweed genomes, securing 37 patents and intellectual property rights, and developing 13 prototypes.
The Marine Bio Headquarters of the Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation has established the only cosmetics prototype production line in Jeonnam Province, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in product development.
Large-scale facilities such as a seaweed active ingredient certification and production facility (scheduled for completion in 2026) and a seaweed bio smart factory are also being developed in stages. Public housing is also planned to improve living conditions and attract marine bio companies.
Once these facilities are completed, Wando is expected to become a nationwide supply base for seaweed bio-materials, not only providing standardized, high-functionality raw seaweed as required by companies but also supporting the extraction and mass production of seaweed materials.
County Governor Shin Woochul stated, "The seaweed-centered marine bioindustry is the future growth engine of our county," adding, "We will foster Wando as a marine bio hub through the completion of these facilities and the attraction of companies."
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