CJ Foods Moves Gim Production to Land-Based Facilities

Construction on the new facility begins this August, marking a shift from the experimental phase that started at the CJ Blossom Park R&D Center in 2018. The company previously achieved a milestone in 2021 by successfully cultivating gim in a 3-ton laboratory tank, followed by the development of a proprietary seaweed variety specifically adapted for land-based growth. Scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027, the site will utilize specialized culture media and full life-cycle control technology to ensure consistency that conventional ocean farming cannot provide.

Beyond production capacity, the initiative addresses environmental and safety concerns. The proprietary cultivation process is designed to prevent heavy metal accumulation and minimize waste, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional harvesting methods. CJ Foods Global CTO Adam Ricciardone noted that the facility will function as an industrial-scale testing ground, positioning the company to meet increasing international demand for bibigo-branded products. The company also intends to integrate this model with local South Korean fishing communities to foster shared growth.