How Dutch knowledge can make a difference in South Korea’s bioeconomy

South Korea’s ambitions are highlighted in the Advanced Bio Initiative, part of a broader national strategy to lead in game-changing technologies by 2030. The initiative covers a wide spectrum, from synthetic biology and biopharmaceuticals to bioenergy, waste valorization, and agricultural biotechnology. While not agricultural by design, its reach into the agri-food domain is expanding rapidly:

• Biofoundry platforms are being developed for microbial production of enzymes, proteins, and soil enhancers.

• Regulation-free zones, such as the Gyeongbuk Cultivated Food Zone, support pilot production of cultured meat and seafood.

• National support for plant-based and cell-based protein innovation is growing, in response to both climate targets and shifting consumer behavior.

• Smart farming pilots are integrating biotech, AI, and robotics—positioning agriculture as a tech-driven, climate-resilient sector.

This effort is not only about biology. It’s about redesigning industrial systems with circular logic. And in this space, South Korea’s actions are increasingly catching the attention of forward-looking partners, including the Netherlands.

Dutch – South Korean collaboration

The Netherlands and South Korea share a strong culture of innovation, and their partnership in the bioeconomy is rapidly deepening. Recent collaborations highlight the growing momentum:

• The Dutch Embassy in Seoul signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jeonbuk Province to advance alternative protein research, commissioning a quick scan with Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR) and Jeonju University.

• Korean private bio company Whoniz invested €1.5 million in Wageningen University & Research (WUR) to strengthen cooperation in cultivated meat.

• A WUR delegation visited South Korea to explore further collaboration in cultivated meat and seafood technologies.

The Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul actively facilitates connections between South Korean public agencies, research institutes, and Dutch companies known for their expertise in three different areas:

1. Insect-based proteins

One promising shared focus area is insect protein production. In 2023, there were 3,013 insect farms in South Korea, with a local production value of ₩47 billion (€ 29 million). Black Soldier Fly larvae accounted for 25% of production. South Korea’s food waste could serve as a valuable feedstock for these larvae, a process that fits seamlessly with core technologies and circular protein models.

An example is Protix, a Dutch company focused on insect solutions for feed and farming. It is exploring expansion into South Korea, where advanced food waste infrastructure and favorable regulations enable safe conversion of food waste into insect feed. The company plans a new facility capable of upcycling 130,000 tons of food waste annually. This move marks a major step in scaling its circular technology together with local partners.

With tight regulation, growing demand for alternative feed sources, and a policy ecosystem open to experimentation, South Korea is a good match for insect protein innovators. South Korean research institutes, such as the RDA (Rural Development Administration), have conducted studies on this subject, and some South Korean companies have already begun producing insect feed based on these findings.

2. Biochar and soil health

Another area of convergence is biochar. In South Korea, biochar is gaining momentum, not only as a carbon sink, but also as a practical solution for soil improvement and livestock waste management. Dutch companies and research institutes bring years of experience in pyrolysis technology, certification systems, and regenerative agriculture frameworks—making them valuable partners for South Korea’s expanding pilots and rural development programs.

3. Waste valorization platforms for agriculture and food

The total annual food waste production in South Korea is 5 million tons, of which 98% is recycled. The waste valorization yields potential for the following use purposes:

• Compost & fertilizer – processed food waste used to enrich soils for farms and urban agriculture.

• Animal feed – dried, fermented, or insect-based (e.g., Black Soldier Fly larvae) feed production.

• Biogas byproducts – digestate from anaerobic digestion is applied as a soil amendment.

• Urban farming support – food waste sustains rooftop and community gardens.

• Fermented soil enhancers – Bokashi and South Korean Natural Farming methods turn food waste into nutrient-rich amendments. Some farmers and households ferment their own food waste by adding microbes specialized for food waste treatment, and the fermented product is then used as fertilizer. This practice is growing because people are required to buy and use biodegradable plastic bags to send food waste to the recycling system. Fermenting at home saves the cost of bags and is more convenient.

Lessons from South Korea’s food waste revolution

If there is one area where South Korea is leading, it is food waste recycling. Nearly every South Korean household separates food waste using tracked disposal bins that charge by volume, incentivizing waste reduction. This waste is collected by municipalities and converted into animal feed, compost, or biogas.

The result? A nationwide system that diverts nearly all food waste from landfills and incineration. It’s efficient, publicly supported, and scalable.

More importantly, it creates a base stream of bioresources that can be used for upcycling—into protein, fertilizer, or even industrial materials. This forms the backbone of a bio-based circular economy, one that other countries can study and adapt, especially in urban environments facing waste management challenges.

Dutch expertise in value creation from organics, whether through biotech or insect conversion, can further enhance the South Korean model, while offering mutual learning for Dutch municipalities exploring advanced waste valorization systems.

Upcoming events and missions in South Korea

Several initiatives are underway to strengthen cooperation between the Netherlands and South Korea in the fields of sustainable agriculture and the bioeconomy in 2026:

• KIEMSTA 2026 (4–7 November, 2026) – a major event focused on high-tech horticulture and smart farming. 

• Innovation mission to South Korea on alternative proteins (planned for 2026 (date to be confirmed)).

• Biochar and manure fertilizer (date to be confirmed) promotion activities will take place at a manure seminar in 2026, organized by the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul.

Taiwan's bioeconomy

Taiwan, which is part of the LAN team’s working area, has an agricultural sector dominated by smallholder farms that faces challenges such as an aging workforce and resource fragmentation. However, it is actively developing its bioeconomy through initiatives like Smart Agriculture 4.0, which aims to enhance agricultural production efficiency and quality by introducing innovative technologies such as IoT, sensors, and AI.

Taiwan is transforming agricultural by-products such as rice straw, pruned branches from fruit trees, and livestock manure into bioenergy, compost, and other high-value products. Biogas and biorefining technologies are still mostly at the demonstration stage. Reuse rates for some by-products, such as discarded pigs, remain low. These circumstances provide excellent opportunities for Dutch knowledge institutes and businesses.

The Taiwanese and Dutch governments can also exchange insights on the regulatory framework. The Netherlands can work with Taiwan on high-value agricultural waste solutions such as biogas systems and solid–liquid separation. They can also collaborate on innovative technologies for small farms, like automation equipment and AI-based pest and crop management. And finally, cooperation can further extend to low-carbon and sustainability standards, such as carbon footprint and organic certifications.

Advancing role of the Netherlands

In both South Korea and Taiwan, Dutch businesses, researchers, and policymakers can find concrete entry points for cooperation. From insect protein and biochar in South Korea to smart agriculture and waste-to-value solutions in Taiwan, the partnerships not only advance local bioeconomies but also reinforce the Netherlands’ role as a global leader in circular innovation.

South Korea’s bioeconomy is not a distant goal — it is materializing now, shaped by policies, societal behavior, and experimentation. With its ability to transform waste into value, and biology into circular systems, South Korea is showing the world how advanced innovation and circular thinking can work hand in hand.

As shown by the initiatives highlighted above, the LAN team in Seoul plays a central role in strengthening the Netherlands cooperation with both South Korea and Taiwan in sustainable agriculture and the bioeconomy. Building on recent collaborations in alternative proteins, cultivated meat, insects, biochar, biogas, and smart farming, the team continues to connect Dutch companies and knowledge institutes with Korean partners. There are also a number of opportunities for Dutch stakeholders to collaborate with Taiwanese partners. Upcoming missions and events, such as the innovation mission on alternative proteins and KIEMSTA 2026, will further deepen this partnership and open new opportunities for circular innovation.

More information

Would you like to know more about recent bioeconomic developments in South Korea and Taiwan? You can visit the country pages of South Korea and Taiwan at the website Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). You can also send an email to the LAN team at the Dutch Embassy in Seoul: seo-lvvn@minbuza.nl.