South Korea’s Innohas has announced the opening of its second manufacturing site — claimed to be the world’s largest fully plant-based food facility — in the city of Jecheon.
The factory will produce Korean-style plant-based foods to be sold under Innohas’ Sunlit Foods brand. This will cater to the growing demand for Korean cuisine worldwide, while also making it easier for Koreans to adopt a plant-based diet.
The site’s facilities will include Korea’s largest frozen kimbap production line, dedicated plant-based BBQ and deep-frying lines, and an exclusive oven line for plant-based products. This will allow for the production of both finished products and ingredients.
The Sunlit Foods brand currently offers 11 ready-to-eat meals, including Plant-based Bulgogi, Vegetable Kimbap, Plant-based Bulgogi Japchae, and Plant-based Bibimbap. The meals can be prepared in just three to six minutes.
“Delicious and convenient”
Innohas has been in business since 2000 and describes itself as “Korea’s no. 1 plant-based company”. The company has successfully launched the Sunlit Foods brand at hundreds of stores in the US, and is now planning to expand the range to Europe. In October, Innohas will attend the trade fair SIAL 24 in Paris. The company also operates a worldwide food service brand, Meat Free-Dom.
The opening of the new facility comes six months after South Korea became the second country worldwide to unveil a plan to boost the plant-based industry. The plan includes a research center for alternative proteins, measures to promote the use of domestic agricultural products in plant-based foods, and support for exporting alternative products.
Figures suggest that the plant-based industry is thriving in South Korea, with a 2023 survey finding that over 60% of people were purchasing more plant-based foods than in previous years. Meanwhile, plant-based meat continues to rise in popularity, though the introduction of new labeling restrictions last December may pose a challenge for the category.
“We are thrilled to introduce high-quality plant-based Korean flavors to a global audience, including buyers and industry officials,” said INNOHAS. “Our mission is to provide consumers with delicious and convenient meals that never compromise on nutrition.”
