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Research and Development of Chlorella Production with Professor Sim Sang-joon’s Team at Korea University

For Green Growth: Development and Production of High-Value Protein Materials

Daehan New Pharm Co., Ltd. collaborates with Professor Sim Sang-joon’s research team at Korea University on Chlorella production research and development.

Daehan New Pharm Co., Ltd. and Professor Sim Sang-joon’s research team at Korea University announced that they have signed a two-year (2013–2014) research agreement for “the development and production of high-value protein materials (Chlorella) using carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction technology.” The agreement states that all production outcomes and intellectual property resulting from the project will be jointly owned by Daehan New Pharm and Professor Sim’s team.

This high-efficiency microalgae cultivation process for CO₂ reduction utilizes microalgae (Chlorella) to recycle CO₂, a by-product generated from fossil fuel energy production. Korea University has organized an industry-academia joint research team and is currently developing a pilot-scale CO₂ capture system using microalgae with a semi-commercial capacity of about 10 tons. This project, jointly conducted by Daehan New Pharm and Korea University, aims to develop functional substitutes for protein materials and immune-enhancing supplements.

Health supplements using Chlorella have been imported and sold in Japan for over a decade. In Korea, similar products are marketed by Company A as high-end health supplements. However, due to reliance on expensive carbohydrate sources and limitations in traditional Chlorella production methods, the high production cost has prevented Chlorella from becoming established as a source of protein for human or animal use.

By contrast, Chlorella production utilizing CO₂ is expected to significantly reduce manufacturing costs while boosting productivity. It is projected to achieve an import substitution effect exceeding 100 billion KRW annually in the domestic feed protein market and make high-quality Chlorella health supplements available at more affordable prices, contributing to economic efficiency.