Jeju: Clean Jeju Green Tea Cooperative ‘Sumang’, a processor of agricultural, marine, and herbal materials from Jeju Island, has announced its plans to expand research and development (R and D) activities of functional biomaterials derived from the island’s natural resources.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sumang, a specialist in raw materials processing for food and cosmetics, explained that it will actively pursue joint R and D projects with various organisations to discover and commercialise new, competitive bio-based materials. The cooperative aims to leverage Jeju’s unique natural resources in creating innovative solutions for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

In addition to its R and D projects, Sumang participates in two to three major international exhibitions in Korea each year, where it holds consultation sessions with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food companies. Despite the current economic slowdown, the cooperative reports an increase in enquiries related to the development of differentiated new materials based on Jeju’s clean natural ingredients.

As the demand for functional and natural raw materials continues to grow, Sumang remains committed to developing unique ingredients sourced from Jeju’s pure ecosystem to meet market demands. The cooperative will continue its efforts to develop competitive new materials that highlight the value and purity of Jeju’s natural resources.

Abiding by the strict rules of the Clean Jeju Green Tea Agricultural Cooperative, Sumang offers products that promote both health and environmental sustainability. It has produced Jeju green tea of the highest quality since 2007, maintaining a strong reputation in the industry for its dedication to quality and ecological preservation.