Coway (021240.KS) said on the 1st that it has launched the Zero Food Waste Disposer Microbial Model, which breaks down food waste using microbes.
The product is the only one in the industry to use a moisture-free microbial agent, allowing it to be used immediately after the agent is added, without adding water or waiting for a cultivation period. Based on technology exclusively transferred from Seoul National University, it uses five microbial strains extracted from traditional Korean fermented foods. The strains are designed to remain stable in Korean households, where food waste is often hot and salty.
In tests by the Korea Environment and Water Works Institute, the microbes survived at temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius and salinity levels of 4%. In reduction tests, the product cut 700 grams of standard food waste by 98.9% within 24 hours. Coway said it is applying for a patent on the microbial technology.
The disposer uses a six-stage automatic operation system that detects internal humidity and estimates the volume of food waste to create conditions suited to microbial activity. When internal humidity rises because of wet waste or a large load added at once, a booster mode can shorten processing time by about 25%.
To reduce odors, the product also carries a four-stage deodorizing system with a 750-gram high-capacity activated carbon filter. It removes odors generated during processing in stages, and the carbon filter eliminates 99% of eight harmful gases including ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. A separate deodorizing function is available for strong-smelling food waste.
Coway also expanded maintenance services for rental customers. Customers can choose between visiting service and self-maintenance. Those who choose visiting service receive regular visits from a Coway Cody, who replaces the deodorizing filter and cleans the product exterior and the interior inlet. A maintenance kit containing microbes and activated carbon is used to keep the microbes' decomposition performance and density intact.
