The University of Southern Mississippi will conduct research on the use of seaweed to produce energy and improve ocean health with a total of $1 million in federal grants. USM received $500,000 for research on a seaweed growth system, and another $500,000 to develop a Sargassum seaweed ranching paddock. More

An initiative has received funding for research and development to address disease and pest infestations threatening the global seaweed industry, especially in developing countries. The outbreaks are causing dramatic 15 per cent yield declines, particularly in three major seaweed-producing countries of Tanzania, Philippines and Indonesia, resulting in catastrophic socio-economic impacts on communities, according to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). […]

Ocean Wise has given approval for two species of seaweed: giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana), both of which are farmed along the B.C. coast. These two species of kelp can be found in everything from sushi to brownies, and they’re likely to see more of it as production continues to rise at their local […]

SBM Company has announced a partnership agreement with Italy-based Valagro, for the sales and marketing of the Valagro gardening product brands in Europe and the US. When the deal comes into force, French-headquartered SBM Life Science, a former Bayer Garden company, will be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the MaxiCrop brand and its […]

Seaweed start-up Dansk Tang, which uses divers to hand harvest its macroalgae from the North Sea, is making a splash in Denmark’s specialty food retail space. Dansk Tang’s range of products includes seaweed pesto and mustard, grapeseed oil with seaweed, sea salt with seaweed and whole, dried seaweed. It has recently launched a range of […]

A seaweed colony was found off Kovalam-Chovvara coast by a city-based NGO, engaged in marine life research and protection activities. The seaweed is said to have great medicinal values. The research team of Friends of Marine Life (FML) spotted the colony of seaweeds of Tetrastromatica species of Padina genus spread over eight rocks. The brown seaweeds, especially Sargassum and Padina […]

Scientists at James Cook University, Australia have found that cows when fed with small amounts of seaweed along with their normal diet of grass could reduce methane emissions by up to 99%. The researchers tested 20 species of seaweed and found that Asparagopsis taxiformis, a species of red algae effectively reduced cows’ methane emissions by […]

Researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have discovered and established the genetic code of “tough” Porphyra umbilicalis, a red alga better known in the UK as laver. This DNA breakthrough could help breed disease resistant crop, thus boosting the aquaculture industry of Scotland. Researchers have mapped its 13,125 genes to help understand […]

Engineers at the US Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered that carrageenan, a seaweed derivative can act as a stabilizer in lithium sulfur batteries.  When carrageenan is added to the binder (substance that holds all active components of a battery together), it chemically binds to the sulphur thereby stopping it from dissolving […]

Algaia and AIDP have partnered to expand the alginate distribution in North America.  The algae derived ingredients will expand to customers in Canada, Mexico and USA. Algaia specializes in algae based ingredients including food thickening and gelling. They utilize fresh seaweed harvested predominantly in Brittany coastal areas, and applying Green Refinery concept to meet the […]

Blue Evolution, a company which turns seaweed into pasta products has partnered with Alaska and out-of-state groups to harvest and process the superfood in Kodiak. In the waters of Trident Basin in Kodiak, the seaweed is ready for harvest. It is expected that the ribbon kelp will yield about 15,000 pounds of seaweed. The seaweed […]

Kelp growers and ocean researchers have told that kelp could be highly beneficial in improving local environment, boosting other fisheries and providing a saleable food source. There’s also growing recognition among scientists that farmed seaweed can absorb excess nutrients and carbon dioxide, improving local water quality and boosting nearby fisheries, particularly shellfish. Kelp is a […]

A jelly snack made in a lab from seaweed and lobster shell is expected to launch early next year. The product is said to be an alternative to dairy products. Developed by researchers in South Australia, the product named SeaNu is meant for the growing number of children who do not take milk products. The […]

Dutch researchers are highlighting the benefits of seaweed and microalgae as novel protein sources as well as a partial replacement to soy in animal feed. Seaweed as a new protein source is gaining attention in Netherlands with the Dutch government allocating €5m worth of funds to a project that is looking to exploit the nutritional […]

An international seaweed expo opened on the South Korean island of Wando on April 14. The expo is focused on shedding “new light on the maritime species” potential value, not only as a healthy food but as a raw material for diverse future industries, including medicine and energy. This is the second time the expo […]

A new micro encapsulated seaweed ingredient is to be launched by a UK based seaweed nutrition company, Seaweed & Co. The company believes that the new ingredient could open up a whole new avenue as it plans to target smoothies and sports nutrition market. The company has been selling its seaweed ingredient into the nutrition […]

Seaweed has been hailed as the next superfood in the Western world owing to its health benefits, but its sales has been decreasing in South Korea recently along with a decrease in consumption. To improve the seaweed industry in South Korea, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Korea has successfully developed seaweed based snacks without fishy […]

Dom Bridges from UK made the first cosmetic product, a bar of soap from the seaweed Margate. Now he has started a company named Haeckels (named after Ernst Haeckel) which has grown into a luxury brand for natural fragrance and skin Care Company. Made of Margate, all the products are sourced from a 20-mile radius […]

First set of policy guidelines for the commercial cultivation of seaweeds in Scotland have been published. The guidelines will create opportunities to grow the country’s seaweed industry by providing clarity on suitable locations for the cultivation of seaweed. The statement also sets out the framework concerning environmental impacts of seaweed farms. The seaweed industry has […]

Seaweed is finding new product applications in Western markets due to its wide ranging health benefits. Food Ingredients First, a Netherlands based company is examining the surge of seaweed and microalgae as an ingredient in food flavouring. Innova market insights has reported a 10% increase in global supplements launches containing seaweed ingredients. With many companies […]

Researchers at the University of Cadiz UCA have collaborated with Technological Aquaculture Centre (CTAQUA) for a project named EALGA which aims to optimize the harvesting and cultivation of seaweed in the Bay of Cadiz. The project which involves more than 75 experts from various fields, is based on studying the fundamental properties which determine the […]

Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, which is headquartered in Kochi has come up with a seaweed based nutritional drink. The new product is to be launched soon in Delhi. The nutritional drink is essentially grape juice mixed with Sargassum, a marine brown seaweed extract. According to CIFT scientists, edible seaweeds, including Sargassum are rich in […]

Algaia has strengthened its growth in specialty marine ingredients by acquiring Cargill’s Alginate business and manufacturing plant. The newly acquired plant is strategically positioned in Lannilis, Brittany next to a large natural brown seaweed resource where over 60,000 tons of fresh biomass are collected annually in a sustainable and regulated manner. It should be mentioned […]

Seaweed farming industry is set to get a major boost with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) transferring its technology of seaweed cultivation to the Andaman administration. A feasibility study conducted in the seawater inundated areas in south Andaman by a team of CMFRI scientists that these regions are highly prospective for the seaweed […]

Scientists from Swansea University have installed a new seaweed farm in Pembroke Dock to examine the biofuel potential of the seaweed. The project funded by Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council also aims to discover more about the use of seaweed as food. The farm is an original design and its new structure is part […]