[KOAT x IT Donga] The Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency and IT Donga introduce promising startups leading the development and digital transformation of agriculture in Korea. Discover agricultural startups from across the country that enrich lives with innovative ideas, products, and unique technologies.

Saettem is an agricultural corporation with the mission of "enhancing the value of local agricultural products through technology and creating new jobs in rural areas." The company develops and supplies processed foods such as peach preserves and pastes optimized for firmness. It has gained attention by maintaining product freshness with patented triple packaging technology that blocks ultraviolet rays instead of using cans. Recently, it has been expanding its product range by promoting the establishment of smart farm facilities for basil cultivation. CEO Ban Jaeyeon of Saettem was met at the Sejong business site.
Introducing Peach Processed Products with Triple Packaging Patent Technology…Entered 12 Distribution Channels

Saettem applies technology to process peaches, a local specialty. CEO Ban Jaeyeon, who had no experience in agricultural cultivation, recalled experiencing numerous trials and errors to achieve the optimal firmness of peaches for the best eating texture.

CEO Ban stated, “I have always enjoyed eating fruits, but I was always disappointed with the mushy texture of canned peaches. My interest in fruit led me to establish an agricultural corporation. Based in Sejong, I was determined to enhance the value of local agricultural products by optimizing the firmness of local specialty peaches,” and added, “With the establishment of the company in 2019, I purchased 300 pyeong of farmland and conducted various tests by cultivating peaches myself to see how firmness changes according to the growth conditions.”
He continued, “In the early days of the startup, I had no farming experience and faced numerous trials and errors, such as mold growing on the crops. One day, out of frustration, I visited the head of the Department of Food and Biotechnology at a local university to express my concerns. This connection led me to pursue a master's degree, allowing me to further study theories and use the university’s equipment, such as firmness testers, for research,” and shared, “During the research process, I found a breakthrough. I realized that not only is the cultivation process important, but the processing of peeling and packaging the crops is crucial.”

Saettem has established three differentiators to introduce products distinct from existing canned peaches: ▲domestic raw materials ▲physical peeling process ▲exclusion of chemical additives.

CEO Ban explained, “Most existing canned peach products use crops from China or Greece. Therefore, a large amount of chemical additives is used to preserve the crop state for a long time. The peeling process also involves chemical peeling, resulting in inconsistent texture due to crop damage,” and emphasized, “In contrast, our processed products are made from domestic peaches, and although it takes longer, we use a physical peeling process to peel each piece. This allowed us to optimize the firmness of peaches to achieve a crisp texture while minimizing nutrient destruction. Additionally, instead of chemical additives, we mixed in vitamin C flavoring to add beneficial nutrients.”
Saettem's peach processed products are made with patented triple packaging technology that blocks ultraviolet rays instead of using cans.

CEO Ban stated, “Through numerous trials and errors to release the finished product, I keenly realized the need for a scientific approach in agriculture. The experience of resolving packaging material damage issues through various experiments and analyses became a significant asset. Thanks to the support of the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency in research and development and process optimization, we were able to quickly introduce patented technology. They also assisted in verifying product competitiveness through technology value assessment and attracting investment,” and added, “As a result, we were able to maintain the freshness of peach pack preserves with triple packaging patent technology while differentiating the design. This led to positive reviews in cafes, hotels, and online malls, allowing us to enter 12 domestic distribution channels, including well-known early morning delivery companies. Currently, we have embarked on research and development to launch senior-friendly foods based on peach by-products as follow-up products.”
Strengthening Processed Product Lineup with Basil Smart Farm Facility Construction…“Targeting Overseas Markets such as Japan and Southeast Asia”

Saettem is expanding its lineup with basil and herb processed products by establishing a basil smart farm facility at its business site. The plan is to establish a system to ship over 1 ton of basil per month.

CEO Ban stated, “We confirmed high demand for basil and herb processed products such as basil pesto and are finalizing the construction of the first smart farm, which will be operational in October,” and added, “By utilizing smart farm facilities, we can stably supply products of uniform quality regardless of weather conditions. Based on this stability, we plan to increase the repurchase rate of our clients.”
He continued, “Saettem plans to diversify peach processed products into desserts and snacks, and based on the first basil smart farm, we aim to generate stable sales to construct the second and third smart farms,” and added, “In addition, we aim to commercialize functional foods while launching a premium senior food brand. We also plan to pursue exports to overseas markets such as Japan and Southeast Asia. Saettem will continue to strive to enhance the value of local agricultural products and create jobs through technology.”

IT Donga Reporter Kim Dongjin (kdj@itdonga.com)

Popular News