[Kim Saemi, Edaily Reporter] Huons N, a health functional food manufacturer under Huons Group, said on July 9 that it had completed the expansion of its plant in Chuncheon, raising its annual extraction capacity to 16,500 tons.

The company held a completion ceremony at the plant in Dongnae-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. The event was attended by Huons Group Chairman Yoon Sung-tae, executives from group affiliates, Chuncheon Mayor Yook Dong-han and city officials.

Through the expansion, Huons N increased the annual capacity of its alcohol extraction facilities by about 200 percent to 10,000 tons. It also added a water extraction facility capable of processing 6,500 tons annually.

The expanded plant was designed to improve safety and productivity. It earned a top-tier rating under Korea’s Process Safety Management, or PSM, system and installed explosion-proof equipment across its production processes to reduce risks associated with alcohol extraction.

Huons N also introduced six high-capacity extractors, each with a capacity of 6 kiloliters, along with high-efficiency concentration systems to support large-volume production.

The company supplies natural extract ingredients to major customers, including Nonghyup Red Ginseng. Huons N said the expanded plant will enable it to increase production of health functional food ingredients and strengthen its natural ingredient business.

The new facilities are scheduled to begin full-scale operations in mid-July. Huons N plans to expand production of its core red ginseng concentrates and introduce new ingredients for liver, eye and joint health.

The company also plans to broaden its portfolio to include herbal medicines, cosmetics, natural flavorings and individually approved health functional food ingredients.

“With support from the city of Chuncheon, we have established a production base with substantially greater capacity and enhanced safety,” Huons N CEO Son Dong-chul said.

“The integrated extraction facilities will allow us to respond reliably to growing demand from customers at home and abroad while strengthening our competitiveness in natural ingredients.”