SPC Group Wins Biotechnology and Bioengineering Company Awards 2021
SEOUL, KOREA – SPC Group won the 2021 Biotechnology and Bioengineering Company Awards at the Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (KSBB) Spring Meeting and International Symposium held at Ramada Plaza Jeju on 15 April, the company announced.
KSBB President Choul-gyun Lee said, “SPC Group is a company that actively invests in and continuously conducts R&D on foundational technologies. SPC Group was selected as the prizewinner because of the company’s contribution to the advancement of Korea’s food industry through the development of natural yeast and Sangmijong, which was developed from indigenous microbial resources and is highly regarded.”
SPC Research Institute of Food and Biotechnology, through a joint study with Seoul National University, discovered a yeast and lactic acid bacteria suitable for baking derived from traditional malt, called Nuruk, and Kimchi. These were discovered after analyzing around 10,000 indigenous microorganisms over the course of 11 years. By combining the yeast and lactic acid bacteria, the research institute also succeeded in developing Sangmijong, a sourdough starter.
SPC Group’s discovery of the indigenous yeast for baking not only is an achievement to prove the excellence of Korea’s fermentation technology and microbial studies, but is credited with the popularization of sourdough starter bread in Korea. In addition, by replacing baking yeast, the supply of which had been dependent entirely on importation, the indigenous yeast has created an import substitution effect by over 7 billion won a year. Recently, its innovative merit was recognized abroad as SPC Group registered a total of 12 patents in four countries, such as the U.S., China, France, and Japan.
“The outcome is a result of SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in’s commitment to quality management and R&D investment,” said an SPC Group official. “We are dedicated to strengthening cooperation between industry leaders and the academia.”
The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (KSBB) is Korea’s leading academic society in the field of biotechnology and bioengineering with approximately 7,000 experts as members. The society annually awards companies promoting the development and industrialization of bioengineering technology.
