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HomePosts Tagged "seaweed"
Acquaculture, Collaborations, Company News, World

The collaboration on the Norwegian Marine Restoration (NoMaRe) project aims to restore 5,000 square kilometres of seaweed forest by managing invasive sea urchin predation

IFF a global leader in food and beverage, home and personal care and health, announced its partnership with environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bellona in a long-term project to restore seaweed forests in northern Norway. The collaboration on the Norwegian Marine Restoration (NoMaRe) project aims to restore 5,000 square kilometres of seaweed forest by managing invasive sea urchin predation. The regrowth of the forests could increase biological carbon sequestration by 12 million tonnes – the equivalent of Norway’s total oil and gas industry emissions in 2021. The launch event held in Norway was attended by Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, as well as senior members of the research community.

“As one of the largest global users of seaweed for alginates and carrageenan, we are proud to be an initiator of this major project,” said Renee Henze, chief sustainability officer, of IFF. “Alginate from Norwegian seaweed is used in pharmaceutical applications, dietary supplements, and food, including new plant-based meat alternatives. Increasing advocacy for the often-forgotten seaweed forest is key to mitigating the effects of climate change while creating sustainable jobs and products globally.”

Seaweed forests are among the most important natural environments on Earth but are facing challenges on a global scale. Norwegian seaweed forests are the main food source and home to over 300 species of invasive sea urchins. During the 1970s, human activity disrupted and removed many of the urchin larvae’s natural predators, allowing urchins to increase in high numbers and convert the northern Norway seaweed forests into desert-like “urchin barrens.” This has caused ecological ripple effects on the biomass of native animals and plants, including limiting opportunities for seaweed harvesting.

The collaboration on the Norwegian Marine Restoration

Agro Universities, Climate, Live Stock

The study will aim to prove oil-based seaweed product has the potential to be more effective than existing solutions

Symbrosia, a Hawaii-based cleantech startup that uses seaweed to drastically reduce livestock methane emissions announced a study with Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Cornell CALS), supported by Danone North America, a leading food and beverage company. Designed by Associate Professor Joe McFadden, the study aims to prove the effectiveness of an Asparagopsis-based seaweed oil extract for reducing livestock methane emissions compared to Symbrosia’s existing freeze-dried seaweed products.

Dr. Mallory Honan, Symbrosia’s product and animal science lead, spoke about the thoroughness of the study. “The study is more in-depth than any previous, accounting for animal and human food safety, energetics, manure composition, and gas emissions. Additionally, it will observe unique milk characteristics beyond lactose, protein, and fat, assessing changes in the complete milk fatty acid profile,” explained Honan.

The Asparagopsis species has been proven to reduce methane emissions in ruminant species by interfering with the methanogenesis process. Symbrosia currently produces a freeze-dried product, SeaGraze™, made of Asparagopsis taxiformis. The product reduces methane emissions by 70 per cent – 80 per cent.

A reduction in methane emissions will have immediate benefits for the climate, superior to that of carbon dioxide reduction alone, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Dairy production from cattle makes up an estimated 8 per cent of total human-caused methane emissions worldwide, as part of agriculture and livestock activities which represent approximately 40% of global methane emissions.

Oil absorbs the compounds found in seaweed at an effective rate, circumventing the need for high inputs of energy required for drying. The product in this form is also anticipated to increase the level of bioactive transference and solubility. Using fresh seaweed in oil instead of freeze-dried material also maintains more of the important compounds and nutrients, as well as possibly making it more stable over time. Should the study prove successful, the oil will be added to Symbrosia’s expanding portfolio of products designed to be incorporated into a variety of systems.

The study will aim to prove oil-based

Acquaculture, India, Live Stock, R&D, Sustainability

The program generated nearly 3,000 man-days during the 8-month culture period, with an average daily earning of Rs 380

In a major achievement in fostering the efforts of the Government of India for the development of the seaweed enterprise as another driver of the economy of Lakshadweep, the commercial-scale pilot seaweed farming guided by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin has turned out to be a huge success in the large-scale pre-feasibility studies during 2022-23 season. The endeavour of the TSC-Purple Turtle Company, Tuticorin, aided by the ICAR-CMFRI and the Lakshadweep Administration has the potential to boost the economy of the archipelago and provide a new source of income for the local community, especially women.

The seaweed farming enterprise was initially launched in Chetlath, one of the smaller islands in Lakshadweep with a population of nearly 2,500. Six plots of 100 tube nets each were established by the end of September 2022, with a seed stock size of 3 tons per plot. The first harvest yielded nearly 15 tons in 45 days. The entire harvest was used to expand the farm horizontally, increasing the farm size to 30 plots with 3,000 net tubes by the end of November 2022. Subsequent harvests were done every 30-45 days, and the farm was further expanded in the same atoll as well as in the neighbouring atolls of Kiltan and Kadmat.

Women were the main workforce, and nearly 20 of them from different Self Help Groups were employed to carry out various farm activities such as preparing tube nets, seeding, and harvesting. The program generated nearly 3,000 man-days during the 8-month culture period, with an average daily earning of Rs 380.

The program generated nearly 3,000 man-days during

Animal Health, Company News, Live Stock, World

The combination of Olmix and Yes Sinergy marks a new milestone in the development of Olmix’s Animal Care Business Unit

Olmix Group, a global specialist in natural solutions for agriculture, acquired Yes Sinergy, a Brazilian biotech company specialising in natural additives for animal nutrition and welfare.

With the acquisition of Yes Sinergy, Olmix Group is pursuing its international development, positioning itself as a major supplier of bio-sourced solutions for agriculture. The Group now generates revenues of more than €200 million, including nearly €150 million in animal nutrition, health and welfare.

The consolidation of the two companies is based on their complementary strengths, both geographical and technological, as well as their shared ambition of combining economic performance with the transition to more sustainable farming models. The operation builds on the companies’ shared values focused on a scientific approach to knowledge and the essential role of innovation based on bio-sourced materials: seaweed for Olmix and sugar-cane yeast for Yes Sinergy.

The combination of Olmix and Yes Sinergy marks a new milestone in the development of Olmix’s Animal Care Business Unit. Through this acquisition, Olmix Group reaffirms its international ambitions and positions itself as a leader in bio-sourced solutions for animal nutrition, health and welfare.

The acquisition will boost Yes Sinergy’s sales, technical and R&D resources while enabling the company to pursue its growth in the European and Asian markets. At the same time, Olmix’s integration of Yes Sinergy will accelerate its development in Latin America, one of the world’s most dynamic agricultural markets, penetrate the pet care market and complement its range of natural solutions for livestock.

Robert Clapham, Olmix Group CEO, commented, “The acquisition of biotech company Yes Sinergy is fully in line with the Animal Care Business Unit’s growth plans. I’m convinced that under the leadership of Mickael Rouault, who recently arrived as the head of this business, the two teams’ combined expertise and skills will stimulate innovation and the growth of our bio-sourced solutions. The Group now has a global presence spanning Europe, Asia and Latin America, and the Animal Care Business Unit’s revenues are spread evenly across these three areas.” 

The combination of Olmix and Yes Sinergy

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Live Stock, R&D, Sustainability

The endeavour has the potential to boost the economy of the archipelago and provide a new source of income for the local community

In a major achievement in fostering the efforts of the Government of India for the development of the seaweed enterprise as another driver of the economy of Lakshadweep, the commercial-scale pilot seaweed farming guided by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin has turned out to be a huge success in the large-scale pre-feasibility studies during 2022-23 season. The endeavour of the TSC-Purple Turtle Company, Tuticorin, aided by the ICAR-CMFRI and the Lakshadweep Administration has the potential to boost the economy of the archipelago and provide a new source of income for the local community, especially women.

The seaweed farming enterprise was initially launched in Chetlath, one of the smaller islands in Lakshadweep with a population of nearly 2,500. Six plots of 100 tube nets each were established by the end of September 2022, with a seed stock size of 3 tons per plot. The first harvest yielded nearly 15 tons in 45 days. The entire harvest was used to expand the farm horizontally, increasing the farm size to 30 plots with 3,000 net tubes by the end of November 2022. Subsequent harvests were done every 30-45 days, and the farm was further expanded in the same atoll as well as in the neighbouring atolls of Kiltan and Kadmat.

Women were the main workforce, and nearly 20 of them from different Self Help Groups were employed to carry out various farm activities such as preparing tube nets, seeding, and harvesting. The program generated nearly 3,000 man-days during the 8-month culture period, with an average daily earning of Rs 380.

The potential of seaweed cultivation in Lakshadweep has been known from the research and development programmes of the ICAR-CMFRI since August 2020 under the auspices of the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) of the ICAR, New Delhi. The enterprise is currently passing through the initial phase of exploration, capacity building, and foundation development. The ICAR-CMFRI, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Lakshadweep, and private companies conducted farming trials to determine the growth performance of commercially important, indigenous species like Gracilaria edulis and Acanthophora spicifera in each island over the seasons. During this period, local men and women from many of the islands were trained in seaweed farming in large numbers. Periodic consultations were held with the prospective stakeholders, local farmers, the seaweed industry, researchers, and the Government, where the results and experiences were shared and the way forward was discussed. This in turn led to M/s TSC-Purple Turtle Company, Tuticorin carrying out the first-ever commercial-scale pilot farming in the island territory.

The ICAR-CMFRI suggests a two-pronged approach for developing the seaweed enterprise in the islands. Private companies farm commercially high-value indigenous species on their own using local people as their workforce, promoting the local societies or individuals to farm for companies on contract farming mode. This will provide an additional livelihood for the local community, especially the women. The Lakshadweep Administration is actively popularising the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and Mudra Loans programme of the Government of India in Lakshadweep in the fisheries sector. This is expected to have a positive impact on the development of the seaweed enterprise.

The establishment of seaweed hatcheries, seed reserves, seaweed health monitoring facilities, and incubation facilities for mariculture, as well as the processing and value addition of seaweeds, are expected to contribute to the development of the seaweed enterprise. Research needs to be continued on standardising the protocols for newer species of seaweeds of varying utilities. The ICAR-CMFRI is working with the NITI Aayog as well as the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India, and the U.T of Lakshadweep Administration to generate scientific information, build skills, provide technical support services, and draw policy guides for sustainable and inclusive seaweed enterprise development in the island territory.

The endeavour has the potential to boost

Acquaculture, Europe, Live Stock, World

It is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to come together and learn about the latest developments in the seaweed industry

The Seagriculture EU 2023 conference, the leading conference for the seaweed industry, will be taking place from 21 – 22 June 2023 in Trondheim, Norway. This two-day event will explore the vast potential of seaweed in various applications such as feed, food, offshore cultivation, investment and business aspects, as well as biorefinery of seaweed and much more.

“We are thrilled to welcome all seaweed enthusiasts in Trondheim. It is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to come together and learn about the latest developments in the seaweed industry,” said Silje Forbord from the event sponsor SINTEF. “Seagriculture EU 2023 offers a diverse range of sessions and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for anyone interested in the seaweed industry.”

According to the organisers, the programme includes six plenary sessions and a panel discussion, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and opportunities in the seaweed industry. Top speakers from the industry will share their know-how and insights and it will also feature poster presentations where researchers will have the opportunity to present their latest findings to fellow conference delegates.

In addition, the accompanying trade show will provide companies within the seaweed industry with a platform to showcase their products and services to other industry professionals. This aims to facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities among attendees, while also allowing them to stay informed about the latest developments in the field.

It is a unique opportunity for industry

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Company News, Finance, World

Funding expands production capacity into high-value products that replace fossil fuel and animal-based products in the cosmetic emulsifiers, agriculture, textiles, and plastics industries

Carbonwave, the world leader in upcycling the largest seaweed bloom on the planet into ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials, announced an initial closing of its $5 million Series A round led by Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investment, with additional significant participation from Viridios Capital, Popular Impact Fund, and Katapult Ocean.

This investment round brings the total funding to date to $12 million and will be used to build large-scale cosmetics emulsifier production facilities in Puerto Rico to satisfy growing customer demand for biomaterials. The current Puerto Rico facility, used for R&D, has also successfully developed a leather alternative from Sargassum (the floating seaweed masses), which it will be launching soon. The Company has already developed Sarga Agriscience (Sarga Ag), a line of organic agricultural inputs made from Sargassum’s liquid compounds that increase yields, allow crops to survive drought more effectively, and reduce the need for nitrogen fertiliser. Sarga Ag products are being tested for large-scale application by some of the leading corporate growers in the world. In June 2022, Carbonwave won the Carbon to Value Challenge with BASF, Seafields, and the Alfred Wegner Institute to produce PET plastics. Additionally, Carbonwave has already sold half a ton of its SeaBalance2000, the world’s first seaweed-based cosmetic emulsifier, which was named ‘Best Functional Ingredient’ at In-Cosmetics Korea in 2022.

“In three short years, we’ve become the first company to build a scalable cascading biorefinery to create a commercially sustainable operation harnessing Sargassum into high-value products,” said Geoff Chapin, co-founder and CEO of Carbonwave. “Support from our investors and partners has allowed us to catalyze our proprietary technology and manufacturing process to turn the Caribbean’s seaweed crisis into an economic opportunity and a climate solution. We are producing viable alternatives that redirect demand from fossil fuel-based products by cost-effectively developing a wide range of regenerative, low-carbon, and plant-based alternatives that global industries are seeking to advance their sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives while contributing to the bio-circular economy.”

Funding expands production capacity into high-value products

Company News, Finance, Supply Chain, Sustainability, World

The funds raised will enable the group to continue to strengthen its global sales team and build out its supply chain

Ocean Harvest Technology, producers of animal feed additives from seaweed blends, has listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), raising £6 million in the process.

The company delivered product revenue of €2.5 million in 2022, a 67 per cent increase on the prior year, and it continues to see strong demand for its products.

Mark Williams, CEO, of Ocean Harvest Technology, added said, “Listing is an important milestone for Ocean Harvest Technology and will assist the rapid growth of the group. The funds raised will enable the group to continue to strengthen its global sales team and build out its supply chain. We will also continue to invest in R&D to innovate and enhance our existing customer offering in the fast-growing markets the group operates in.”

Ocean Harvest Technology was founded in 2005 on the belief that an investment in research and development would result in the ability to create seaweed ingredients that would deliver several specific benefits across multiple animal species, based on the polysaccharides and other bioactive ingredients present in particular species of seaweeds.

Since its establishment, the group has been building a portfolio of intellectual property and has had commercial success in selling its products as ingredients to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of the animal feed chain, by delivering improvements in animal gut health.

It has also focused on the growth of its global seaweed supply chain. Harvested seaweeds are transported to the group’s facility in Vietnam where they are processed into OceanFeed feed ingredients for multiple species of animals. The directors estimate that the group has spent over €20 million to date in R&D and commercialising its products.

The funds raised will enable the group