© Hatch
Seaweed Solutions, founded in 2009, has been at the forefront of macroalgae cultivation for over a decade, having developed a full seaweed farming value chain, from hatchery to harvested and stabilised seaweed, serving markets such as food, feed, bioplastic, and more.
Now, over 15 years on from its beginning, the company has now announced a paradigm shift as it positions itself for growth with a new strategic focus on seaweed genetics and seed supply.
“Since our foundation more than 15 years ago, an in-depth understanding of seaweed biology has been at the core of our company, and this is where we currently see the most critical bottleneck and where we can make the biggest impact in this emerging industry. By dedicating our resources to genetics, industrial seed propagation and innovative seeding technologies we believe we can give the industry a proper boost in terms of increased yields, higher quality and reduced costs. We already see other players making advances in harvest
equipment, biorefinery technologies and innovative applications, but seed supply has been underserved," said Jon Funderud, Seaweed Solutions CEO, in a press release.
“Having farmed ourselves for 15 years we know the issues farmers face. In addition to seeds we provide needed technical support on matters ranging from seeding methods to farm design, yield optimisation and biological monitoring," he added.
Beyond supplying quality starting materials and advice to a growing number of European seaweed farmers the company see a major opportunity in the restoration of seaweed forests worldwide.
“Our oceans are suffering, and kelp forest are in decline worldwide. Restoration projects for these forgotten forests are now emerging, but this market also needs seeds, which must be supplied by professional and dedicated seed producers. We see a significant need for the development of biobanks, propagation methods and new seeding innovations to safeguard the future of our kelp forests. We look forward to collaborating with forerunners like Seaforester to make this happen," Funderud concluded.
