Seaweed creating a sea of opportunities
Seaweed is a unique untapped resource for many valuable applications. Seaweed grows in abundance in its natural habitat and is the fastest growing biomass on the planet. When seaweed grows, it absorbs carbon dioxide, nitrogen and phosphorus. For example, 1 ton of wet Gracilaria seaweed has a CO2 capture potential of 124 kg*. This means growing seaweed helps to regenerate local ocean ecosystems. It also requires no inputs, including land, fresh water or fertiliser to grow. Not only is growing seaweed environmentally friendly, but it can also promote social inclusivity by providing new economic activities to coastal communities.
*Assuming average carbon content of 34.5% of seaweed dry weight and a conservative dry weight:fresh weight ratio of 0.1 [1, 2].
Source of Food
Seaweed has been consumed for centuries, forming a staple food in countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Seaweeds can be consumed in many forms including raw, cooked or dried as nutritional supplements and health foods. Its area requirement for growth is dramatically less than other land-based feedstocks, for example a square meter area of Porphyra, a red algae, can yield 84g of protein, compared to soybean, a protein-rich crop, which provides only 40 g per square meter [3]. Additionally, the entire plant is edible, unlike other crops such as wheat and corn. In its natural form, seaweed provides organic proteins, sugars, fibres and specific healthy vitamins and minerals relevant to multiple food applications. Seaweed also contains essential fatty acids which can help relieve the pressure off fisheries. They also have a high nutrient density, with a mineral content at least 10 times higher than terrestrial plants. Being enriched in key nutrients and health-promoting compounds, seaweed can address a diverse range of diseases such as obesity, glucose levels and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, seaweed can be stored for long periods time, therefore reducing food wastage. For example, air drying and freezing of brown algae, Fucus vesiculosus, was observed to allow at least 365 days of shelf life while maintain levels of total phenols, polysaccharides and amino acids [4].
Use in Agriculture and Livestock
Seaweed has incredible potential to reduce emissions from agriculture, an emission intensive industry. Seaweed can be used as a supplement to reduce methane emissions from cattle as well as serve as an environmentally friendly bio growth stimulant to improve soil and crop quality.
Ruminants such a cattle release methane because of anaerobic fermentation of their feed by microorganisms. Methane is a greenhouse gas with global warming potential 28 times that of carbon dioxide. To put it into perspective, each cow’s emissions are about the same as burning 1,000 litres of petrol every year. Some types of seaweed contain secondary metabolites which have demonstrated antimethanogenic properties. Asparagopsis, a type of red seaweed, contains a secondary metabolite, bromoform, that reacts with vitamin B12 cofactor and inhibits the enzymatic reaction that has further cascades into steps that prevent methane formation. Some studies have observed methane reduction up to 99% using seaweed supplementation. Seaweed can also aid in improving animal welfare and productivity. It’s a win-win!
Intensive agriculture has had devastating impacts on our soils and is a large source of greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural land has experienced biodiversity erosion, loss in soil fertility and land degradation. Seaweed has incredible properties which allow it to act as an environmentally friendly fertiliser. In turn, this can improve the quality of soil, root structure and growth, nutrient and water use efficiency and increase soil uptake of carbon.
Sustainable materials
Seaweed can be used to make sustainable materials including biodegradable plastics, textiles, papers as well as concrete curing compounds for constructions. Annually, 13 million tonnes of plastic are released into the aquatic environment making up 80–95% of marine litter. As the demand for plastic continues to increase, alternative biodegradable materials to replace petroleum-based plastic will play a significant role. Companies leading the way in seaweed-based plastics include Notpla and Evoware.
The textile industry is another area where seaweed can reduce environmental impacts from. Microplastics are synthetic fibres from clothing and textiles which make up approximately 35% of the global release of microplastics in our oceans. It has been reported that washing 6 kg of clothing could result in the release of more than 700,000 microfibres [5]. Seaweed can be processed to create a yarn-like material to mimic fabrics. Using biodegradable yarns can reduce microplastic pollution otherwise cause by petroleum based microfibres.
As the environmental challenges our planet faces becomes increasingly prominent, new innovative solutions are the priority. Seaweed has incredible potential in addressing multiple challenges whilst regenerating the local ecosystem in which it grows in. Follow our journey and learn more about how The Seaweed Company is tapping into this unique resource.
About The Seaweed Company
The Seaweed Company has been founded in 2018 and specializes in the development of high value products for humans, animals, soils, and plants and in the cultivation of traceable seaweed species at commercial scale. The Seaweed Company has its own seaweed production locations in Ireland, Morocco, India and The Netherlands and has developed products that contribute to sustainable agriculture. As well The Seaweed Company is actively involved with innovative research around applications in the medical field (Alzheimer and diabetes), functional food (alternative proteins), sustainable materials (natural composites) and sustainable seaweed cultivation methodologies. The Seaweed Company has a strong focus on Blue Farming, where we use the blue strength of the sea to support our land. Our TopHealth Plants product is an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel based fertilisers and pesticides.
