LKinnotech is an enterprise dedicated to transforming organic waste and waste biomass into eco-friendly resources. Its core business areas encompass the production and sales of biochar, the design, manufacturing, and installation of carbonization and pyrolysis plants, as well as carbon reduction initiatives utilizing biochar. The company is currently establishing its production base and demonstration infrastructure in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do (Jeonbuk). It possesses proprietary multi-feedstock carbonization plant technology capable of producing not only wood-based biochar but also livestock manure-based biochar. The company was founded in February 2024 by CEO TaeWha Lee (61).
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CEO Lee brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial and management experience in the IT and electronic device distribution and manufacturing sectors. Leveraging his extensive expertise in manufacturing, distribution, and commercialization, he aims to cultivate new growth opportunities in the environment and energy sectors.
The company's flagship item is ‘Primecha’, a biochar-based soil conditioner, along with the standardized carbonization plant system used to produce it. Primecha is an eco-friendly fertilizer product utilized in agricultural settings to improve the soil's physical properties, water retention, aeration, and nutrient-holding capacity.
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“Simply put, it is a product that helps create optimal soil for crop growth”, CEO Lee explained. “It is particularly effective for agricultural lands suffering from continuous cropping obstacles, hardened soil with a poor drainage and water retention balance, greenhouse facilities, and dry-field crop cultivation areas.”
Primecha is produced by completely carbonizing discarded organic resources—such as waste wood, forest by-products, and livestock manure—in an oxygen-limited environment. During this process, the raw materials are converted into a stable carbon material with a low risk of odor and putrefaction. When applied to the soil, it enables long-term carbon storage.
“Primecha serves as an agricultural soil conditioner while simultaneously acting as an environmental material that contributes to waste resource recycling and carbon neutrality”, Lee noted. “LKinnotech's goal is to go beyond mere product sales; we aim to supply the complete plant systems capable of designing carbonization conditions tailored to specific raw material characteristics, ensuring their stable production.”
LKinnotech's greatest competitive advantages lie in its multi-feedstock processing capability, complete carbonization technology, and highly energy-efficient plant structure.
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“In the existing biochar market, issues such as quality deviation depending on the raw material, incomplete carbonization, odor, and pH instability have frequently been pointed out”, Lee stated. “Based on our proprietary carbonization plant and production know-how, LKinnotech focuses on identifying the optimal carbonization conditions for each raw material to produce biochar of uniform quality. The livestock manure-based biochar sector is particularly challenging technically due to its high moisture content and strong odor. However, by integrating drying, carbonization, waste heat recovery, and exhaust gas treatment technologies, we have secured a demonstration foundation capable of converting even livestock manure feedstocks into high-quality biochar.”
Regarding the company's future trajectory, CEO Lee said, “Our short-term goal is to expand the sales channels for Primecha.” He added, “We plan to categorize wood-based and livestock manure-based biochar into products tailored for their respective target markets, establishing a stable revenue base centered around NongHyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation), fertilizer distribution networks, and B2B clients.”
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Date of Establishment: February 2024
Core Businesses: LK BIOCHAR: Production and sales of the high-quality, multi-feedstock biochar brand "Primecha"; commercialization of wood-based and livestock manure-based biochar; agricultural soil conditioner and organic farming materials business.
LK PLANT: Design, manufacturing, and installation of oxygen-free, high-temperature carbonization and pyrolysis plants; provision of resource recovery solutions for waste biomass and waste resources.
Carbon Reduction Projects: Carbon storage utilizing biochar, carbon credit-linked businesses, and review of overseas greenhouse gas reduction projects.
New Business Expansion: Promotion of a recycled oil production business from waste vinyl, waste plastics, and waste tires utilizing pyrolysis systems.
Key Achievements: Established a biochar production and demonstration plant in Gimje, Jeonbuk. Completed the NongHyup system registration for the wood-based biochar brand ‘Primecha.’ Completed the business registration for livestock manure biochar fertilizer production. Demonstrated the production of biochar using multi-feedstocks, including not only wood but also poultry, swine, and cattle manure. Pursuing quality verification from accredited institutions, including the Center for Environmentally Friendly Agricultural Products Safety at Kangwon National University. Hold and have applied for patents related to carbonization, drying, and exhaust gas recycling. Promoting cooperation with NH Investment & Securities for the implementation and management of carbon credit businesses. Participating in the 2026 Initial Start-up Package (General Type) program. Expanding B2B sales channels, including NongHyup, fertilizer distributors, and related enterprises. Driving business expansion into recycled oil production from waste resources utilizing pyrolysis systems.
reporter jinho lee
jinho2323@hankyung.com
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