Daingt's Data-Driven Gim: How Tech is Reshaping Korean Seaweed

SEOUL, South Korea – January 07, 2026 – In an industry steeped in tradition, South Korean gim specialist Daingt Co., Ltd. is making a bold move, announcing an acceleration of new product development fueled not by ancient secrets, but by proprietary data and advanced production technology. The company is leveraging over two decades of expertise to transform the humble seaweed snack into a high-tech food product, aiming to solidify its leadership in a global market hungry for Korean flavors.

This strategic pivot comes as South Korean gim, or dried seaweed, enjoys unprecedented international success. The nation, which already supplies roughly 70% of the world's gim, saw its exports in the category surpass the $1 billion threshold in 2025, reaching 122 countries. Against this backdrop of a booming K-food wave, Daingt is betting that the future of this traditional staple lies in the meticulous analysis of its core ingredient.

The Science of Seaweed: Deconstructing 'Graded Raw Material Data'

At the heart of Daingt’s new strategy is its investment in what the company calls "proprietary graded raw material data." This is far more than simple quality control; it represents a sophisticated, data-driven approach to manufacturing. For years, the company has been building an extensive database that catalogues raw seaweed based on a variety of characteristics, including texture, aroma, color, and thickness.

This repository of information allows Daingt to operate with surgical precision. By analyzing consumer preferences and the specific requirements of different distribution channels—from high-end restaurants to supermarket snack aisles—the company can match the ideal raw material to each end product. A sheet of gim destined for gimbap requires different tensile strength and flavor than a delicate, savory flake intended as a topping. Daingt’s system automates this matching process, ensuring a level of consistency and customization that is difficult to achieve with traditional methods alone.

This approach aligns with a broader technological shift in the food industry, where AI and machine learning are increasingly deployed to optimize everything from crop growth to quality assurance. While Daingt has not explicitly detailed the use of AI, its data-centric model mirrors these advanced principles. The process is further bolstered by a commitment to modern production standards. The company utilizes HACCP-certified facilities and has integrated automated processes to enhance hygiene and minimize quality deviations across large-scale manufacturing runs, ensuring that every product meets its exacting internal standards.

Mastering the Source: A Two-Decade Supply Chain Legacy

Daingt's technological leap is built upon a solid foundation of supply chain mastery, honed over more than 20 years. The company's claim as a "gim specialist" is substantiated by its systematic control over the entire production lifecycle, a critical advantage in the volatile agricultural sector. This vertically integrated model begins at the source.

The firm has cultivated a stable raw material supply system through a collaborative network of 22 domestic sourcing partners. These relationships, many located in the prime seaweed cultivation areas of Jeolla Province, provide a reliable pipeline of high-quality raw seaweed. By managing these partnerships directly, Daingt gains unparalleled visibility into the sourcing process, allowing it to enforce quality standards from the moment the seaweed is harvested.

This hands-on approach continues through processing and final product development. Unlike companies that may source semi-processed ingredients, Daingt manages all stages in-house according to its own rigorous standards. This allows for the implementation of its "differentiated production methods," where processing techniques are dynamically adjusted based on the specific grade and characteristics of the incoming raw material. This flexibility is key to its ability to produce a diverse portfolio—including seasoned gim, gimbap gim, and various gim flakes—while maintaining consistent quality and responding nimbly to shifting market demands.

Riding the Korean Wave: A Strategy for Global Gim Dominance

Daingt’s innovation initiative is timed perfectly to capitalize on explosive growth in the global seaweed market. Valued at approximately $7.5 billion in 2024, the market is projected to surge to over $18 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. This growth is fueled by several powerful trends that play directly to Daingt's strengths.

The primary driver is the increasing global consumer focus on health and wellness. Seaweed is widely recognized as a superfood, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a popular choice for health-conscious shoppers and those seeking plant-based options. Furthermore, seaweed farming is celebrated for its sustainability; it requires no fresh water, land, or fertilizer, and actively contributes to ocean health.

Perhaps most significantly, the "Korean Wave," or Hallyu, has swept the globe, carrying Korean food along with it. The viral popularity of dishes like kimbap has created a massive new international consumer base for gim products. Daingt's commitment to quality and its ability to produce a diverse range of products positions it perfectly to meet this surging demand, from casual snackers in the United States to culinary professionals in Europe. The company’s data-driven approach ensures it can deliver the specific tastes and textures that resonate with these new and varied international palates.

The Japanese Blueprint for International Quality

A cornerstone of Daingt's global ambition is its production base in Japan. This strategic outpost is more than just a factory; it is a crucial center for quality assurance and market adaptation. Japan, a major seaweed consumer with famously high standards for food quality and safety, serves as a demanding proving ground. By successfully operating a local factory there, Daingt demonstrates its capability to meet the world's most stringent regulatory and consumer expectations.

The experience gained in the Japanese market provides a blueprint for the company's expansion into other regions, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Lessons learned in adapting products to Japanese regulations and consumer preferences are being applied to create tailored offerings for each new market. This proactive approach to global quality standards has become a key competitive differentiator, building trust with international partners and consumers alike.

This focus on Japan is particularly astute, given that Korean seaweed exports to the country grew by an astonishing 53% in the first half of 2024 alone. By establishing a physical presence, Daingt not only taps into this key market but also uses it to refine its global strategy. The company has stated its goal is to evolve into a "gim solution company," leveraging its raw material data and unwavering quality standards to expand its export portfolio. This fusion of heritage and high-tech positions the company to not only ride the current K-food wave but to help shape the future of the global seaweed industry.