"Protecting South Korea from Viruses": CEO Lim Shin-gyo of SEEMS BIONICS
2020-10-02
Amidst the global chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a heightened awareness of hygiene like never before. Particularly, clean drinking water, safe for consumption, has become crucial for human survival.
SEEMS BIONICS is a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) expanding its export channels through specialized technology in electrolyzing water. Founded in 2006 by CEO Lim Shin-gyo, the company developed an oxygen purifier in 2007 and exported it to the Japanese market. In 2009, it exported the world's first hydrogen water purifier to Japan, earning the $10 million export tower award in 2016. In 2017, it gained international recognition by commercializing hypochlorous acid water generators.
Having built trust over a decade and being validated for its quality, SEEMS BIONICS consistently receives export requests from Japanese buyers. Leveraging its technological prowess and superior quality, SEEMS BIONICS products, with around 100,000 units of hydrogen-related products, are currently in use locally, meeting customer needs.
CEO Lim recalls initially playing a role in exporting purifiers from other companies. However, when faced with a significant quality issue after fulfilling an order of around 2,000 units, he took the initiative to develop oxygen purifiers, given his background as a former automotive engineer. Thus, the product born out of this endeavor combined hydrogen with purifiers.
These products are widely installed in sports centers in Japan and sold through memberships or water vending machines. The reason for their prevalence in sports centers is the water's beneficial effects on beauty. Drinking this water can be expected to have effects such as improving the vascular system and removing active oxygen, making it particularly popular among athletes and trainers.
However, such hydrogen water vending machines are not yet found in South Korea. CEO Lim himself attempted domestic installations and received actual requests. He tried to install them in US military bases for operation in sports centers, but faced legal hurdles in South Korea due to the current water law, which prohibits systems that process and resell tap water, making it unfeasible.
The newly developed hypochlorous acid water generator, utilized for virus sterilization and disinfection, operates on the basic principle of electrolyzing water. With a small amount of electrolyte solution, electrolysis occurs in the electrolyzer, allowing for immediate production. This product, known for its outstanding germicidal power, has seen a significant increase in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The development of the hypochlorous acid water generator stemmed from a request in 2015 from Japanese buyers for a product capable of addressing all food poisoning bacteria, including norovirus, salmonella, and legionella. SEEMS BIONICS, after two years of research and development, introduced the product in 2017.
Approved by the US FDA, the product is being used in various places such as daycare centers and elderly welfare facilities in Japan. Moreover, installations are increasing in Chinese cowsheds, pigsties, and poultry farms. Hypochlorous acid electrolyzed water exhibits a 99.9% bacteria sterilization and deodorizing effect, causing all bacteria to die within 30 seconds.
All water purifier products are manually assembled. The components developed after two years of research hold patents. Water enters through the water inlet and passes through the electrolyzer, where it undergoes electrolysis before being discharged. CEO Lim emphasizes that the concentration of chlorine is what determines the product's quality. The type of bacteria killed is determined by the chlorine concentration, making it the most crucial aspect of hypochlorous acid water. There may be a slight difference between the actual concentration and the measurement indicated by the measuring instrument, so checking this is essential.
On the other hand, the upcoming Bite Trap cleaning water, set to be released domestically, is characterized by its high disinfection power without any alcohol odor. While there are various methods for generating hypochlorous acid water, some companies add harmful chemicals to adjust the pH level, requiring careful observation. Bite Trap cleaning water is safe for use by women, the elderly, and children and is environmentally friendly as it is reduced to water without causing environmental pollution or leaving residual substances in the body.
SEEMS BIONICS has invested in all the facilities to open a hypochlorous acid water generator production factory in Yokohama. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, visa issues remain unresolved due to entry bans, causing the opening to be postponed. Nevertheless, the company is engaging in consultations with local buyers through video conferences and resolving machinery issues to start operations at any time.
From a marketing perspective, the company is expanding its market starting from South Korea to overseas. Currently, discussions are underway with Singapore. Moreover, it is expanding into countries such as Kazakhstan and the United States. As a seller of sterilization equipment, SEEMS BIONICS sees COVID-19 as an opportunity in overseas markets due to surging orders, leading to the relentless procurement of alternative materials domestically.
CEO Lim reflects the company's identity as a bio company, which is also reflected in its environmental design. Key to the production line after development is how much high-quality products are produced. After the initial design, prototypes are produced, and the product is released only after mutual verification of productivity and quality issues. Recently, the company has been providing a touchless hand cleaning service using iris recognition systems, which is particularly useful for hygiene management in food hygiene factories.
Regarding the purpose of the business, CEO Lim says, "Everything is practically reinvested as profit, and we live with the thought of sharing." He emphasizes, "I hope our product can be a support to small business owners struggling due to COVID-19, given its 99.99% sterilization effect." Furthermore, the company has been supporting local communities such as Suwon City's Yeongtong-gu Office, ensuring that many citizens can benefit from safe epidemic prevention measures.
Source : http://www.starrich.co.kr/community/press_release_view/201005P000004/page/1?s_type=&s_word=%EC%8B%AC%EC%8A%A4%EB%B0%94%EC%9D%B4%EC%98%A4%EB%8B%89%EC%8A%A4 [Starrich]
"Protecting South Korea from Viruses": CEO Lim Shin-gyo of SEEMS BIONICS
2020-10-02
Amidst the global chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a heightened awareness of hygiene like never before. Particularly, clean drinking water, safe for consumption, has become crucial for human survival.
SEEMS BIONICS is a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) expanding its export channels through specialized technology in electrolyzing water. Founded in 2006 by CEO Lim Shin-gyo, the company developed an oxygen purifier in 2007 and exported it to the Japanese market. In 2009, it exported the world's first hydrogen water purifier to Japan, earning the $10 million export tower award in 2016. In 2017, it gained international recognition by commercializing hypochlorous acid water generators.
Having built trust over a decade and being validated for its quality, SEEMS BIONICS consistently receives export requests from Japanese buyers. Leveraging its technological prowess and superior quality, SEEMS BIONICS products, with around 100,000 units of hydrogen-related products, are currently in use locally, meeting customer needs.
CEO Lim recalls initially playing a role in exporting purifiers from other companies. However, when faced with a significant quality issue after fulfilling an order of around 2,000 units, he took the initiative to develop oxygen purifiers, given his background as a former automotive engineer. Thus, the product born out of this endeavor combined hydrogen with purifiers.
These products are widely installed in sports centers in Japan and sold through memberships or water vending machines. The reason for their prevalence in sports centers is the water's beneficial effects on beauty. Drinking this water can be expected to have effects such as improving the vascular system and removing active oxygen, making it particularly popular among athletes and trainers.
However, such hydrogen water vending machines are not yet found in South Korea. CEO Lim himself attempted domestic installations and received actual requests. He tried to install them in US military bases for operation in sports centers, but faced legal hurdles in South Korea due to the current water law, which prohibits systems that process and resell tap water, making it unfeasible.
The newly developed hypochlorous acid water generator, utilized for virus sterilization and disinfection, operates on the basic principle of electrolyzing water. With a small amount of electrolyte solution, electrolysis occurs in the electrolyzer, allowing for immediate production. This product, known for its outstanding germicidal power, has seen a significant increase in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The development of the hypochlorous acid water generator stemmed from a request in 2015 from Japanese buyers for a product capable of addressing all food poisoning bacteria, including norovirus, salmonella, and legionella. SEEMS BIONICS, after two years of research and development, introduced the product in 2017.
Approved by the US FDA, the product is being used in various places such as daycare centers and elderly welfare facilities in Japan. Moreover, installations are increasing in Chinese cowsheds, pigsties, and poultry farms. Hypochlorous acid electrolyzed water exhibits a 99.9% bacteria sterilization and deodorizing effect, causing all bacteria to die within 30 seconds.
All water purifier products are manually assembled. The components developed after two years of research hold patents. Water enters through the water inlet and passes through the electrolyzer, where it undergoes electrolysis before being discharged. CEO Lim emphasizes that the concentration of chlorine is what determines the product's quality. The type of bacteria killed is determined by the chlorine concentration, making it the most crucial aspect of hypochlorous acid water. There may be a slight difference between the actual concentration and the measurement indicated by the measuring instrument, so checking this is essential.
On the other hand, the upcoming Bite Trap cleaning water, set to be released domestically, is characterized by its high disinfection power without any alcohol odor. While there are various methods for generating hypochlorous acid water, some companies add harmful chemicals to adjust the pH level, requiring careful observation. Bite Trap cleaning water is safe for use by women, the elderly, and children and is environmentally friendly as it is reduced to water without causing environmental pollution or leaving residual substances in the body.
SEEMS BIONICS has invested in all the facilities to open a hypochlorous acid water generator production factory in Yokohama. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, visa issues remain unresolved due to entry bans, causing the opening to be postponed. Nevertheless, the company is engaging in consultations with local buyers through video conferences and resolving machinery issues to start operations at any time.
From a marketing perspective, the company is expanding its market starting from South Korea to overseas. Currently, discussions are underway with Singapore. Moreover, it is expanding into countries such as Kazakhstan and the United States. As a seller of sterilization equipment, SEEMS BIONICS sees COVID-19 as an opportunity in overseas markets due to surging orders, leading to the relentless procurement of alternative materials domestically.
CEO Lim reflects the company's identity as a bio company, which is also reflected in its environmental design. Key to the production line after development is how much high-quality products are produced. After the initial design, prototypes are produced, and the product is released only after mutual verification of productivity and quality issues. Recently, the company has been providing a touchless hand cleaning service using iris recognition systems, which is particularly useful for hygiene management in food hygiene factories.
Regarding the purpose of the business, CEO Lim says, "Everything is practically reinvested as profit, and we live with the thought of sharing." He emphasizes, "I hope our product can be a support to small business owners struggling due to COVID-19, given its 99.99% sterilization effect." Furthermore, the company has been supporting local communities such as Suwon City's Yeongtong-gu Office, ensuring that many citizens can benefit from safe epidemic prevention measures.
Source : http://www.starrich.co.kr/community/press_release_view/201005P000004/page/1?s_type=&s_word=%EC%8B%AC%EC%8A%A4%EB%B0%94%EC%9D%B4%EC%98%A4%EB%8B%89%EC%8A%A4 [Starrich]