Foresys, a South Korean startup that specializes in intelligent marine debris collection and management, has begun knocking on doors of foreign markets.
Foresys (CEO Won Jong-hwa), announced on Wednesday that it signed partnerships with DNV-GL and NGI, which are based in Norway, as part of “a technology consulting program that utilizes South Korean engineers who are stationed overseas”.
DNG-GL is a global classification society that certifies and provides consulting on structures related to marine vessels and marine energy. NGI is a world-wide leader that specializes in research and consulting related to ocean floor.
With this partnership, Foresys will investigate the European market and look for potential partners in order to enter the European market. It will conduct studies on the actual state of marine debris and risks that marine debris will have on the environment. In order to solve the marine debris issue on the ocean, it will also analyze technologies related to blockage of inflow of marine debris, collection of marine debris, and disposal of marine debris. Its ultimate goal is to suggest ways to manage marine debris using vessels and other facilities to the European market. Furthermore, it will look to expand partnerships with other research institutes in Europe and find projects that will bring in international participation.
“In case of European countries, they have various experiences related to the marine debris issue.” said CEO Won Jong-hwa of Foresys. “We expect that this partnership will establish technology advisory relationship related to the marine debris issue and find solutions to the issue. He also said that DMV-GL especially is a partner of a nonprofit group in Netherland called the Ocean Cleanup and has an experience with a project related to floating plastics and that there will be meaningful result from this partnership as well.
The company is also seeking to enter the Australian market as well. It was selected to be part of “Australia-Korea Foundation”, which was established by the Australian Government to develop partnerships in many areas with South Korea, last year and it is planning on a pilot test that will install and operate marine debris barriers on rivers starting from this year.
Meanwhile, the program utilizes South Korean engineers (Korea Technology Advisory Group) that have established networks overseas as mentors. The program looks for and matches partners for technology cooperation and provides information on foreign technology trends and related markets and is supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Staff Reporter Sung, Hyeonhee | sunghh@etnews.com