BLUELABS Co., Ltd. (CEO Jeong Sang-ho), which develops water treatment products that adsorb water pollutants using oyster shells, has been selected for the TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. TIPS is a representative government program that focuses on discovering and supporting startups with high growth potential and technology items that will lead the global market through collaboration with private investors.
The selection of BLUELABS for TIPS was made on the recommendation of the Korea University Technology Holding Company. This comes about 10 months after securing seed investment from Korea University Technology Holding Company and Next Dream Angel Club in October last year. BLUELABS will receive up to 500 million KRW in R&D funding over the next two years, along with business linkage support and an additional 200 million KRW for overseas marketing. With this support, the company plans to enhance the materials that adsorb harmful heavy metals remaining in household water and accelerate its entry into the global market.
BLUELABS is currently developing a brand of adsorbent materials called "Oyster Puri," which utilizes oyster shells. The company has been recognized for its distinctive high value-added business potential and technology in the oyster shell resource recycling market and the eco-friendly water treatment material market, collaborating with major companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK Eco Plant. Recently, inquiries about wastewater pollutant adsorption technology have increased from domestic large enterprises in industries like secondary batteries and semiconductors, especially in countries that have strengthened water quality and air environment regulations.
Most existing materials for adsorbing water pollutants are based on activated carbon or plastic polymers. To produce one ton of filters from these oil and natural gas-based materials, up to 3 tons of greenhouse gases can be emitted. In contrast, the main ingredient of BLUELABS' Oyster Puri product is natural marine waste, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing compared to existing adsorbent materials and demonstrates superior adsorption performance compared to conventional petroleum-based materials.
CEO Jeong Sang-ho stated, "According to recent survey results published every four years by the Ministry of Environment, the exposure levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury among South Korean adults are found to be more than three times higher than those in North and Central American countries. Considering that most of these metals are absorbed into the body through the respiratory and digestive systems, it is essential that tap water used in daily life is clean, and drinking water must be even cleaner. The Oyster Puri product will play a significant role in addressing the issue of exposure to harmful heavy metals in daily life."
He added, "Through the R&D funding from the TIPS program, we plan to accelerate the development of various heavy metal adsorption materials using oyster shell components in household water while addressing both the issue of local marine waste and ensuring clean and safe water supply."
