Seaweed Market Scan - July 14th 2022

Seaweed is good not only for your health, but also for balancing the acidity of water in the ocean, according to a new study.

Posted on Jul 14, 2022 by Md Sharif

  • Researchers warn that seaweed farming should not be seen as a quick fix for the climate but can help reduce emissions by replacing food that have larger environmental footprints.
  • The EU is investing in the future of seaweed as a popular ingredient found in food, cosmetics, fertilizers, and sustainable packaging with a €9 million grant.
  • Seaweed farmers and environmentalists say that without science-based regulations, the growing industry could have detrimental impacts on ocean life.
  • Canada should pursue sea-forestation at scale – the restoration, planting, management, and care of underwater kelp forests – as a no-regrets climate solution: Ocean Wise report.
  • Overconsumption of seaweeds should be avoided as they contain high levels of iodine.

Company News:

  • AlgiKnit, a US startup developing sustainable textiles from seaweed, has raised $13 million in Series A funding.
  • Symbrosia, a Hawai’i-based startup with a seaweed feed additive that reduces livestock methane emissions by over 80%, has raised $7 million in Series A funding.
  • Zeefier is creating sustainable textile dyes from recycled seaweed waste.
  • Running tide in Maine, USA, is growing micro-forests of algae in the ocean that can remove billions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and restore the natural systems of the ocean.
Science and Technology:
  • UPV-CFOS Seaweed Research Group will be extending technical assistance and training to seaweed growers, particularly on smart and climate-resilient seaweed farming technology.
  • Scientists grow food in complete darkness using artificial photosynthesis. The electrocatalytic process allows plants – in this case green algae – to grow in the dark, powered by carbon dioxide, electricity, and water.

New Products:

  • Seaweed Dryers from Alvan Blanch.
  • Volta Greentechs team launches LOME in Swedish supermarkets with Coop Sweden and Protos as the world's first low methane beef.

Conferences:

  • Algae Biomass Summit 2022 – October 3rd-28th
  • AlgaEurope 2022 – December 13th-15th
  • The Seagriculture Conference USA 2022 – September 7th-8th – Portland (ME), USA

Further reading:

The following narratives continue to make a buzz in social media:

  • Seaweed farming to reduce carbon emissions.
  • The food production of the future is in the sea.
  • Notpla, alternate plastic from seaweed. / seaweed in the packaging industry.
  • Seaweed to reduce methane emission in cows/seaweed as cattle supplement.
  • Seaweed uses in fashion/clothing.
  • Algae is a source of Omega-3s, DHA, EPA, Iodine, etc.
  • Seaweed uses in alcohol.
  • Algae uses in medicines for cancer, diabetes, and thyroid.
  • Seaweed is a source of a range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, calcium, iron, and dietary fibers.
  • Seaweed in food, snacks, etc.
  • Seaweed-based fertilizer and soil additives.