The Growth of South Korea Bovine Serum Albumin Market
The production of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in South Korea has grown significantly over the past decade to meet rising demand. BSA is a widely used protein in life sciences research and bioprocessing as a growth supplement for cell culture media. South Korea has emerged as a major producer and exporter of BSA globally. In 2010, total BSA production capacity in South Korea was around 5,000 liters per year. Since then, several leading biopharma companies in the country have expanded their manufacturing complexes and brought new suppliers online to scale up output.
By 2015, South Korea’s total annual Bovine Serum Albumin production capacity had more than doubled to over 12,000 liters. This was driven by additions from key players like Biologics, a subsidiary of SP Chemicals which doubled the capacity of its plant in Daejeon to 4,000 liters. anderen also started commercial scale BSA production in 2013 with an initial capacity of 2,000 liters at its facility in Ulsan. With steady demand growth of around 8-10% annually from major import markets in the US, Europe and China, BSA manufacturers invested further to meet rising import volumes.
South Korea Bovine Serum Albumin Market Recent Capacity Expansions
In 2021, South Korea’s total BSA production capacity stood at an estimated 25,000 liters annually. Major capacity additions over the past year came from:
– GeneTech: This Pohang-based company completed a large scale expansion in 2020 that doubled its BSA manufacturing capacity to 6,000 liters per year. The expanded plant uses advanced chromatography purification techniques.
– BKGibson: One of the largest domestic suppliers, BKGibson commissioned a new production line at its Ansan plant in 2021. The line has a nameplate capacity of 5,000 liters and uses multi-column purification systems.
– Kolmar Korea: This subsidiary of leading Chinese ingredient manufacturer Kolmar added 3,000 liters of BSA capacity through debottlenecking efforts at its Cheongju plant. It also established a new joint venture with a local partner.
– CJ Bio: The biopharma division of food major CJ Group started commercial grade BSA manufacturing operations through a brownfield expansion completed in early 2022. Its Songdo facility has an annual capacity of 3,000 liters.
Together, these recent expansions have significantly ramped up South Korea’s BSA output to capitalize on strong overseas demand. With the new production assets online, annual growth in exports are expected to rise from the previous average of 15% annually.
Optimizing Production through Innovation
South Korean BSA manufacturers have consistently invested in optimizing production processes through innovative methods. This helps maximize output efficiencies, quality, and lowers operating costs. Some key advancements adopted across plants include:
– Use Of Continuous Chromatography Systems: Traditional batch chromatography is being replaced by continuous multi-column systems that offer higher purification throughput and scalability.
– Improved Cell Culture And Harvest Techniques: Advances like perfusion bioreactors, alternating tangential flow technologies and optimized media formulations have increased BSA titers and batch yields.
– Implementing Single-Use Technologies: Use of single-use bags, tubing, connectors and sensors in upstream and downstream processing reduces cleaning validations and improves changeover flexibility
– Advanced Analytics: Technologies like hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, peptide mapping, and SEC-MALS are providing more detailed characterization of BSA processes and products
– Plant Automation: South Korean manufacturers have integrated modern automation, instrumentation and controls that enhance process monitoring, data collection and documentation for regulatory compliance.
Reliance on Imports Despite Growth
While domestic production has grown, South Korea remains heavily reliant on BSA imports due to the sheer magnitude of demand from its biopharma sector. The country is home to over 200 biopharma companies and contract manufacturers. It exports over $6 billion worth of biosimilars and biologic drugs annually according to government data. Research activities at its top universities and CROs also consume significant amounts of BSA each year.
As a result, South Korean firms currently import around 30% of their total BSA needs. Major import sources include countries like the USA, the Netherlands, Germany and China. Local producers are continuing efforts to bridge this supply gap and reduce import reliance through further capacity additions and securing new local suppliers over the next 5 years. If they maintain the 15% annualized output growth rate seen recently, South Korea may achieve self-sufficiency in BSA production by 2030.
In Summary, South Korea has cemented its position as a leading global producer and exporter of BSA through rapid capacity expansions, innovations and quality certifications meeting international standards. Its manufacturers will play a pivotal role in sustainably meeting the rising worldwide demand for this critical bioprocessing raw material into the future.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
