Nongshim held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new export-only production base, the Busan Noksan Export-only Factory, and officially began construction on the 27th.
According to Nongshim, the Noksan Export-only Factory is set to be built on the available land of the existing noodles production facility, Noksan Factory. It will cover approximately 11,280 square meters (about 3,400 pyeong) with a total floor area of about 48,100 square meters (around 14,500 pyeong). It is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026.
In particular, this export-only factory will be constructed by integrating the artificial intelligence (AI) smart factory expertise that Nongshim has accumulated over decades of operating domestic and overseas factories. It will implement a quality inspection system that applies Nongshim's AI deep learning technology, as well as a system that predicts and responds to potential problems using big data.
The factory is also planning to obtain global quality certifications suitable for an export-only factory. It aims to acquire ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 certifications, as well as respond to various regulations from countries around the world by obtaining RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and halal certifications. Additionally, to promote sustainable management, it plans to operate as an environmentally friendly factory through energy-saving facilities and optimal energy use.
After the completion of the Noksan Export Factory, Nongshim aims to initially operate three production lines to produce 500 million noodles annually. When combined with the production volume of the Busan factory, which has been dedicated to exports (600 million), and the Gumi factory's export production (100 million), Nongshim's total annual export noodle production is expected to reach 1.2 billion, nearly doubling the current amount.
Nongshim plans to increase production in line with future overseas sales trends by adding more lines. In particular, based on the production capacity of the Noksan Export Factory, it aims to expand sales of key products such as Shin Ramyeon in Europe and launch new products tailored to local tastes, with the goal of quadrupling its sales in Europe by 2030.
A Nongshim official noted, "The Noksan Export Factory can add up to eight additional lines in line with the growth of overseas markets, increasing production capacity to about three times the current level," adding, "As we are preparing for the second leap into the global market centered on Shin Ramyeon Tumbba, we will secure production capacity that fits that demand to solidify our status as a representative company of K-ramyeon."