Mechanical Hand 'Pogi Kimchi' Released... Automation of Seasoning Insertion

Successful Automation of 'Inserting Seasoning' in Pogi Kimchi Production Process Challenge
Kimchi Productivity Increased About 9 Times
Interest in Whether It Will Lead to Kimchi Price Reduction

A demonstration of the device was held on June 26 at 'Incheon Kimchi Jeolimryu Processing Business Cooperative - Nongga Food Kimchi Factory,' the company licensed with the technology of the 'Automated Device for Inserting Kimchi Seasoning' developed by the World Kimchi Research Institute.

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The World Kimchi Research Institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 28th that it has developed an automated device for seasoning insertion in kimchi. When salted napa cabbage is placed on an inclined rotating ramp, the device sprinkles seasoning inside as the kimchi rotates and the leaves open. This automation of the most labor-intensive step in kimchi factories is expected to enhance the competitiveness of domestically produced kimchi by ensuring consistent quality. However, reducing kimchi prices through cost savings remains a future challenge.

Successful Automation of Seasoning Insertion

The institute succeeded in automating the seasoning insertion process, which had been considered a difficult step in automating kimchi manufacturing. The device works by placing salted napa cabbage on a rotating inclined ramp, where the cabbage rolls and the leaves open, allowing seasoning to be supplied in the process. The institute stated that the completeness of seasoning mixing reaches about 90% compared to manual work.

Using this device enables the production of kimchi with uniform quality. Until now, kimchi factories made kimchi by manually opening each cabbage leaf and inserting the seasoning. This made it difficult to expect consistent quality.

Kimchi production volume can also be greatly increased. The institute explained that while manual production could process 280kg per hour, using this device can produce 2,500kg, increasing productivity by about nine times.

The labor required for kimchi production can also be reduced. Producing 10 tons of kimchi requires 16 workers for the seasoning mixing process. With this device, high-quality kimchi can be produced with only 3 to 4 workers.

Will Productivity Enhancement Lead to Price Reduction?

Citizens visiting the '2019 Seoul Kimchi Culture Festival' held at Seoul Plaza on the 1st are tasting kimchi. The opening event scheduled for that day was postponed to the 2nd due to fine dust concerns. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The institute said, "Kimchi factories are usually located in suburban areas with poor working conditions, making it difficult to secure labor, and the kimchi industry workforce is aging, mostly in their 50s to 70s. This device is expected not to reduce jobs but to help resolve labor shortages in kimchi companies."

However, it seems difficult for this productivity increase to immediately lead to lower kimchi prices. Even if the institute transfers the technology to companies, it cannot enforce price reductions, and prices vary among companies that have received the technology, making price adjustments difficult to demand. However, if productivity improves across companies and competition intensifies, price adjustments may be expected accordingly.

Regarding this, the institute stated, "The reason for the rise in domestic kimchi prices is not only the cost of ingredients but also high labor costs. We aimed to reduce kimchi manufacturing costs and improve productivity by automating the seasoning insertion process, which is the most needed step for automation in kimchi manufacturing."

Choi Hakjong, Acting Director of the World Kimchi Research Institute, said, "We will simultaneously achieve cost reduction and quality uniformity in commercial kimchi production to revitalize the domestic kimchi market and strengthen the competitiveness of the kimchi industry in the global market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.