Semiconductor equipment specialist Bright Korea (CEO Kang Hyo-jin) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with food tech company Simple Planet (CEO Jung Il-doo) for the joint development of 'Bio Materials, Parts, and Equipment (SoBuJang) Automation.' This agreement marks the first attempt to expand Korea's core semiconductor automation technology into the bio-production process, attracting industry attention.

Bright Korea, a technology company with a long history of developing semiconductor equipment, has secured several bio-automation production line construction projects from pharmaceutical companies this year. Through this agreement, Bright Korea plans to apply its accumulated precision control, clean process, and modular equipment design technologies from the semiconductor industry to bioreactors and cell culture systems.

CEO Kang Hyo-jin stated, "The level of precision and stability required in semiconductor processes is absolutely necessary in the bio industry as well," adding, "We will create a Korean standard for bio-automation facilities through collaboration with Simple Planet."

Simple Planet is a company that produces functional proteins and cell-derived food materials based on lactic acid bacteria-derived culture fluids, currently supplying raw materials to major food conglomerates and global companies. With this agreement, Simple Planet is set to expand its strategy from a mere food tech company to a 'Bio SoBuJang specialist company.'

CEO Jung Il-doo remarked, "The automation of bioreactors is a key factor that will determine the growth rate of the alternative protein and functional material industries in the future," and added, "We will enhance global competitiveness by promoting process automation and equipment localization with Bright Korea."

The two companies plan to jointly develop bioreactor automation equipment, data-driven process management systems, and production line modularization technologies through this agreement. This is the first attempt to apply FA (Factory Automation) technology from the semiconductor and display industries to ensure efficiency and reproducibility in bio-production processes and is evaluated as a new paradigm of manufacturing innovation.

An industry insider stated, "Some materials, parts, and equipment companies are already transitioning to the bio SoBuJang business, and the expansion of semiconductor technology as a foundation for the bio industry is becoming more pronounced," adding, "The collaboration between Simple Planet and Bright Korea will signal the growth of the domestic 'Bio SoBuJang' industry."

The two companies plan to expand their cooperation to include automation equipment, parts, software, and production process optimization solutions, and jointly participate in production line construction projects for domestic and international bio and food companies.

CEO Jung emphasized, "Simple Planet is a technology company that is changing the paradigm of food raw material production, and together with Bright Korea, we will establish a Korean standard for Bio-Fab Automation," adding, "This is the starting point for the 'K-Bio Automation Alliance' to secure global competitiveness."

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