Gimbap assembled at CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province/ Courtesy of CJ CheilJedang

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SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - CJ CheilJedang has constructed the food industry's first automated frozen gimbap production facility at its CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, as the South Korean food giant moves to scale up its global kimbap business.

The fully automated line handles every stage of production — from filling and rolling to cutting and tray packaging — and took about 18 months to develop, according to CJ on Wednesday. The company said the system reduces weight variation between products, raises output speed, and meets stringent international hygiene standards through a redesigned process layout.

Quality improvements were also built into the line.

CJ CheilJedang applied its frozen-rice cooking expertise to optimize the texture and sheen of each product's rice, while ingredient-specific heat treatment settings were calibrated to preserve the color and bite of individual fillings. Flash-freezing technology ensures quality holds through distribution and storage.

The investment backs the company's Bibigo frozen gimbap line, which launched in 2023 as part of its broader K-food export push. The products have logged cumulative global sales of over 8 million units, with annual revenue growing at about 130 percent on average.

CJ CheilJedang said it plans to use the Jincheon facility as a springboard for further export growth, with a focus on the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The company also intends to expand its U.S. grocery store presence in the second half of this year.

"This goes beyond simply securing capacity — it is a strategic investment to accelerate the expansion of K-food's global footprint," a spokesperson said, adding that the firm aims to build Bibigo gimbap into a defining brand of Korean cuisine worldwide.
Kim Dong-young Business Reporter davekim0807@ajupress.com

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