Trends in new marine materials industries and research today suggest that the
industry possesses high potential for continued development. In addition to marine
organism-based polymers, algal materials used for cars, algal fibers, and
nano-composite materials, there is a nearly endless range of fields that can be
developed through the use of new marine-derived materials. In South Korea,
however, research into new marine organism-based materials has been lacking.
Fundamentally, a response to the growing market for new marine materials will
necessitate the possession of new marine materials and the development of technology. By systematically and scientifically uncovering sources for new material
materials, increasing yields, and increasing the distribution of sources for a new
marine materials industry through establishment of the source technology for their
use, it will be possible both to promote activity in existing areas in the new
materials and chemical industries and create new value.
Recently, the depletion of petroleum and coal energy around the world has led to
major activity in new and renewable energy development and research. As of 2016,
bio-energy accounted for 11% of all new and renewable energy. The first research
on bio-energy as a means of reducing CO 2 and providing an environmentally
friendly energy course typically focused on land-based resources. As the limits of
those resources became apparent, more and more studies and policies were devised
around the world to apply the same approaches to the marine industry and obtain
fuels from marine resources. In particular, substantial investment has been channels
into producing bio-fuels from algae and microalgae. Indeed, marine bio-fuels are
seen as the industry with the greatest growth potential in the marine bio-industry
sector (Notoya 2010).
Perceptions of the sea have been changing by the day, particularly in the major
coastal economies. The accelerating depletion of land-based energy and other
resources—most used in petroleum-based industry areas—has only increased the
importance of as yet unused resources in general, and marine resources in particular. As of 2016, the world population stood at around seven billion; by 2050, it is
predicted to reach 9.4 billion. This and the rapid growth of the world’s developing
economies suggest that humankind’s resource and energy needs are poised to grow
exponentially. Prices for crude oil and other land-based resources have risen sharply
since the 2000s, suggesting that the predictions are already becoming a reality.
Societal and industrial demand for alternative resource development has risen
greatly under the circumstances, and continued efforts are underway to find a
solution to meet those needs in as yet unexplored marine organism resources (Lal
2006).
The biological characteristics of those resources necessitate new techniques that
differ from those used with resources from land-based organisms. It is a time when
the role of scientists working in fields such as marine science, biochemistry,
genetics, and bioengineering is crucially important for the development of marine
biotechnology.
1.3 Marine Bioindustry Today and Its Future Prospects
7
industry possesses high potential for continued development. In addition to marine
organism-based polymers, algal materials used for cars, algal fibers, and
nano-composite materials, there is a nearly endless range of fields that can be
developed through the use of new marine-derived materials. In South Korea,
however, research into new marine organism-based materials has been lacking.
Fundamentally, a response to the growing market for new marine materials will
necessitate the possession of new marine materials and the development of technology. By systematically and scientifically uncovering sources for new material
materials, increasing yields, and increasing the distribution of sources for a new
marine materials industry through establishment of the source technology for their
use, it will be possible both to promote activity in existing areas in the new
materials and chemical industries and create new value.
Recently, the depletion of petroleum and coal energy around the world has led to
major activity in new and renewable energy development and research. As of 2016,
bio-energy accounted for 11% of all new and renewable energy. The first research
on bio-energy as a means of reducing CO 2 and providing an environmentally
friendly energy course typically focused on land-based resources. As the limits of
those resources became apparent, more and more studies and policies were devised
around the world to apply the same approaches to the marine industry and obtain
fuels from marine resources. In particular, substantial investment has been channels
into producing bio-fuels from algae and microalgae. Indeed, marine bio-fuels are
seen as the industry with the greatest growth potential in the marine bio-industry
sector (Notoya 2010).
Perceptions of the sea have been changing by the day, particularly in the major
coastal economies. The accelerating depletion of land-based energy and other
resources—most used in petroleum-based industry areas—has only increased the
importance of as yet unused resources in general, and marine resources in particular. As of 2016, the world population stood at around seven billion; by 2050, it is
predicted to reach 9.4 billion. This and the rapid growth of the world’s developing
economies suggest that humankind’s resource and energy needs are poised to grow
exponentially. Prices for crude oil and other land-based resources have risen sharply
since the 2000s, suggesting that the predictions are already becoming a reality.
Societal and industrial demand for alternative resource development has risen
greatly under the circumstances, and continued efforts are underway to find a
solution to meet those needs in as yet unexplored marine organism resources (Lal
2006).
The biological characteristics of those resources necessitate new techniques that
differ from those used with resources from land-based organisms. It is a time when
the role of scientists working in fields such as marine science, biochemistry,
genetics, and bioengineering is crucially important for the development of marine
biotechnology.
1.3 Marine Bioindustry Today and Its Future Prospects
7