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 […]

Friend of the Sea (FoS) has introduced a new standard for the certification of seaweed from sustainable harvesting and farming. The standard aims to protect seaweeds from overfishing as they serve as a crop as well as a habitat for hundreds of other ocean species. Seaweeds are an important raw material for many industries. Although […]

New Frontier Foods has planned to open a seaweed production plant in US, which is the first of its kind in the country. The plant will open in the second quarter of this year and will be located in Southern California. The facility will produce seaweed snacks for private label as well as under the […]

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has established a seaweed farm at Cagayan Valley in Philippines, which is expected to increase the fisher folk’s income. The continuous increase of seaweeds production particularly Gracilaria has prompted the fisheries bureau to establish a seaweed warehouse in this area. Consumer acceptance for these products is high especially among […]

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) have collaborated to create a global standard for certifying seaweed operations. The seaweed standard will demonstrate mutual sustainability principles and standard systems, referencing best available scientific understanding and industry practices, that conform to international norms of good conduct, including FAO Guidelines for Eco labelling and ISEAL […]

A trail of new methods of harvesting seaweeds is expected to begin in Connemara in few weeks. Two boats are being brought for this purpose from Canada by the company Ascidian Sea Plants in order to show the harvesting methods used in Nova Scotia. The trial will be conducted in ArramaraTeoranta seaweed industry, which has […]

European-funded AT Sea project is developing textiles and systems for seaweed cultivation in North Sea which could lead to large scale cultivation and harvesting in the sea. The seaweed could then be used by biotech, food and other industries. It is expected that the seaweed grown in North Sea could provide as much sustainable energy […]

Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute and its field laboratory have undertaken a research to develop techniques for mass cultivation of some food algae at nursery stage. DBT has sanctioned a grant of 1 crore for setting up outdoor continuous running seawater facility to carry forward this research. The aim of this project is […]