Sogang University
Published on 5 February 2026
A research team led by Professor Jeong Kwang-hwan in the Department of Life Science at Sogang University has received a Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in the category of New Technology Commercialisation Promotion at the 2025 New Technology Commercialisation Promotion Contest, held on 11 December 2025.
The award recognises Green Mineral, a technology-based venture founded on lithium-recovery technology developed by Professor Jeong’s team, for its contribution to advancing sustainable resource-recovery technologies and promoting technology commercialisation.
Organised by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under MOTIE and co-hosted by the Korea Testing Laboratory and the Korea Industrial Technology Association, the contest aims to encourage innovation and accelerate the adoption of proven technologies in industry and the public sector. The ministerial commendation is presented annually to individuals and organisations that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to industrial technology development and market creation.
Green Mineral was established in June 2021 based on the research outcomes of Professor Jeong’s team, with Professor Lee Ho-seok later joining as Chief Operating Officer. The company integrates fundamental scientific research with practical commercialisation capabilities, creating a model for translating academic innovation into industrial applications.
At the core of the recognised technology is a genetically engineered chlorella strain designed to maximise metal-extraction efficiency. The strain exhibits a unique bio-recycling mechanism, absorbing lithium into cells and releasing it in the form of high value-added lithium carbonate. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in microorganism-based resource-recovery technology.
The technology also enables the extraction of residual lithium from wastewater remaining after primary recovery from waste batteries. Through process optimisation, it reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions across the recovery cycle, securing both economic feasibility and environmental sustainability.
The recognition highlights Sogang University’s contribution to environmentally responsible innovation and its growing role in advancing sustainable industrial technologies. Green Mineral plans to expand industrial applications of its technology through full-scale commercialisation, supported by the planned expansion of its Gwangyang branch.
Professor Jeong commented, “It is meaningful that the microalgae-based eco-friendly metal-recycling technology developed at Sogang University is moving closer to the vision of a sustainable resource-recycling ecosystem through both technological development and commercialisation.” He added, “We will continue to play a leading academic and technological role in advancing resource-recycling technologies and supporting Korea’s green growth.”
