"Seoul Forum 2023: Advancing Sustainable Industries through Green and White Biotech"
At the forum, a compelling argument emerged for expanding sustainable industries centered around biotechnology to generate high-added value. From this perspective, "Green Biotech" encompasses various fields, including food technology. At the same time "White Biotech" focuses on developing technologies that utilize renewable resources like plants and microorganisms instead of traditional petrochemical materials, creating eco-friendly fuels and plastic alternatives. It was emphasized that the active pursuit of technological advancements in these areas is crucial to increasing our presence in rapidly growing markets.
During my presentation at the forum, I introduced the concept of the "Cross Economy." This concept goes beyond the traditional "linear economy" of consumption and discard or the "circular economy" that attempts recycling but still relies on limited resources and energy. Instead, it emphasizes increasing value through material conversion. I used the example of the manufacturing process that starts with high-purity quartz and leads to silicon and semiconductors as a case highlighting how material innovation maximizes added value. (Cho, N. J. (2022). Preparing for tomorrow with materials today. Materials Today, 61, 1-3., https://lnkd.in/gRHT7Wzr).
In this transformative economic model, the definition of "waste" is redefined, and it opens the door to a new era where everything can be reimagined, going beyond sustainability. In essence, it aligns with the notion of not being confined by limited resources. During the forum, I stressed the importance of replacement rather than mere recycling and the need for practical applications beyond theoretical knowledge.
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