S. Korea aims to use kelp as energy resource by 2013

SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea aims to develop technology that can
transform ordinary kelp into a commercially viable energy source by 2013, the
government said Monday.
Laboratory experiments conducted from June through October using one ton of the
seaweed, worth 5 million won (US$4,300), showed the naturally abundant, quickly
growing seaweed could be made into fuel and useful resources, the Ministry for
Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
"In the past, efforts were centered solely on making fuel like ethanol, but the
latest tests extracted various minerals," an official said. He said that while
it's hard to make a profit using existing technologies, better extraction methods
could be introduced in the next few years.
"Only 1 million won worth of bio-oil was made with the ton of kelp, although good
quantities of fucoxanthin, polyphenol, carbon powder and mixed organic acids have
been collected," he added.
The official said 25kg of fucoxanthin and polyphenol, used to make cosmetics and
heath food, were taken from the kelp.
One kg of refined fucoxanthin is worth US$3,000, while the same amount of
polyphenol can fetch up to $300 on the market.
The ministry official said that other valuable industrial and energy materials
such as lithium and uranium were extracted from kelp.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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