Han Do-yeon, CEO of Cotton Pollination
-Development of a carbon-reducing CCS pergola made only from domestic wood by applying traditional framing techniques
-Established infrastructure and network to use domestic wood while operating a Hanok construction company before founding the company.
Mokhwapoun is a K-social venture startup that solves social problems using tradition and Korean cultural assets. It was founded in August 2022 by CEO Han Do-yeon (53).
Cotton Pollination’s representative item is a product developed to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality. It is a carbon-reducing CCS pergola made only from domestic wood using traditional joining techniques.
“In November 2011, at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Durban Framework Convention on Climate Change, only ‘the carbon contained in wood products processed domestically from domestically produced logs produced by harvesting trees grown within the country’ was considered nationally harvested wood products (HWP). , Harvested Wood Products) recognized as carbon stock. In order to achieve the 2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction (NDC) goal, Korea is currently operating a preferential purchase system for domestic wood, a system to promote the use of local wood, and a carbon storage labeling system based on the ‘Act on the Sustainable Use of Wood’ to increase wood self-sufficiency. We are increasing. Based on the national carbon neutral policy, Mokhwasubun has developed a pergola, a landscaping facility that creates and implements K-Design with Korean tradition and natural beauty as a design motif by applying domestically produced wood and traditional framing methods.”
While running a Hanok construction company before starting his business, CEO Han has built the infrastructure and network for using domestic wood, as well as the drying system, which is most important when using domestic wood.
“The biggest competitive edge of cotton pollination is that it is possible to monetize ‘carbon emissions rights’, which are greenhouse gas emission rights, through the trading market by buying and selling them through the carbon emissions trading proposed in the Kyoto protocol. .”
The target market for cotton pollination is the public procurement market. CEO Han said, “To enter the market, we are preparing for product development, acquisition of related licenses, and certification of priority purchased products,” and “After completing factory registration in the first half of 2025, we will enter the market through test reports and group standard certification for the products.” “I will do it,” he said.
“On the other hand, we plan to develop a high-efficiency dryer, obtain green certification, supply everything from lumber to landscaping facilities, and participate in public bidding to promote our brand. “Cotton moisture products are in line with national policies, so I believe that if the product design and quality are met, we will be able to achieve our target sales in the first year of entry.”
CEO Han said, “The high-efficiency dryer we are planning to develop can advance into the global market. We will receive investment in the dryer and transform the product manufacturing process into a digital one.”
“If a production system is established, we can provide a venue for selling landscaping facilities such as pergolas, trellis, and benches, as well as safe public facilities where people can relax comfortably in the city. “It will be a performance-sharing platform where anyone can use our system to design and sell products using wood and share the profits.”
How did CEO Han start his business? “I saw that domestically produced wood, which would certainly be valuable when building a hanok, was sold at a low price to places that make pulp or biomass after logging in forests. Looking at the entire life cycle of wood, I thought it was a waste because intermediate processes that would create high added value were omitted, and around that time, I happened to have the opportunity to participate in the Forest Research Institute’s wood cluster construction forum. “I thought that there should be a variety of products that would create high added value, so I immediately came up with a product idea and started Cotton Pollination.”
After starting the business, CEO Han said, “My dream is to create a sustainable company.” Regarding future plans, CEO Han said, “We will successfully enter and establish Pergola in the public procurement market and create a platform for sharing profits for designers.”
Cotton Pollination was selected for the Catholic Kwandong University initial startup package project this year. The initial startup package is a startup support project targeting startups less than 3 years old at the time of announcement and provides commercialization funds of up to 100 million won. They also receive support from the host organization, such as startup space, education and mentoring necessary for the growth of startup companies.
Establishment date: August 2022
Main business: Product development to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality
Achievements: Certified as a performance sharing company in February 2023 (Ministry of SMEs and Startups), certified as a commercial design company in March 2023 (Korea Design Promotion Agency No. 1516), certified as a creative department in May 2023 (Korea Creative Content Agency No. 202) , Attraction of technology guarantee fund (technology evaluation grade BBB+), venture business certification (innovative growth type of Ministry of SMEs and Startups), business agreement signed with Korea Institute of Design Promotion in March 2024, establishment of corporate research center in April 2024 (Ministry of Science and ICT) , Selected as an initial startup package support project in May 2024 (Ministry of SMEs and Startups) Selected as the first round of govtech competition in September 2024 (hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT)
Reporter Jinho Lee [email protected]
