KEIL, an innovative bug farm in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is collaborating with CU, a prominent local convenience store operator, to collect and dispose of expired snacks and use them as feed for mealworms raised at the factory. This partnership has created a win-win situation for both companies, as CU saves money on waste treatment, and KEIL secures a stable source of production materials. This approach is also appreciated by firms looking to advance their environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals.
Mealworms raised at KEIL's farm produce high-quality protein and fat, which can be used as valuable input materials for food, drugs, cosmetics, and animal feed. The farm boasts a vertical structure designed for optimal bug farming, with over 8,800 blue trays filled with mealworms. The automated system helps fuel the growth of the worms, which reach maturity after 80 days and four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
SUNBIO, a probiotics feed supplement manufacturer based in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, is another innovative player in the green bio industry. The company's odour-reducing healthy digestion products are fed to cows, pigs, and chickens, helping to improve animal health while reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming.
With the global bug-related market expected to grow to over 2.4 trillion won in 2024, the interest in the industry is rapidly increasing, mainly because bug farming produces only one-seventh of the greenhouse gases of traditional livestock farming.
The green bio industry in Korea is paving the way for sustainable resource recycling and waste reduction by embracing mealworms as an eco-friendly solution. Companies like KEIL and SUNBIO are at the forefront of this revolution, demonstrating the potential of mealworms to transform waste into valuable resources and create a more sustainable future for all.
Source: The Korea Times
