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How to Unlock Seaweed’s Full Potential

Earlier this month, Roy Henderson from Green Cell Technologies, attended the North Sea Seaweed Convention in The Hague, organised by the North Sea Farmers association. The event gathered over 220 participants committed to transforming the conversation around seaweed—a naturally occurring material with vast potential to benefit both the planet and human life.   As attendees discussed, merely being “sustainable” is no longer enough. To achieve meaningful progress, we need to move beyond maintaining the status quo and set new goals to maximize the benefits of the circular economy.  

We also need to go beyond evolution to a revolutionary shift in how we approach our future existence, and seaweed is a key component in achieving this.

One recurring theme at the convention was the disconnect between scalable production and commercial adoption. The industry has already made significant strides in sustainable farming practices, but there remains a lack of large-scale offtake agreements to match the enthusiasm for innovative seaweed applications. The plenary and breakout sessions emphasized that, while the potential for seaweed-based products is evident, the market’s readiness to fully embrace this solution lags.

Seaweed’s versatility is unmatched. It has applications in bio-stimulants, cosmeceuticals, biomaterials, as well as the food and beverage sectors. Yet, despite its potential, these industries continue to use seaweed in minimal quantities, frustrating farmers who have been producing at scale for years.  The challenge lies not in the cultivation or imagination to create new products but in shifting the market mindset to recognise the commercial benefits of seaweed.

The industry has ambitious sustainable development goals and speaks often of planet survival, but when tangible, workable solutions emerge, market inertia often prevents immediate action. Without a more rapid adoption and appreciation for seaweed’s benefits, we will continue to swim against the tide, unable to fully unlock its potential for global impact.

The Missing Link: Advanced Processing Technology

Seaweed farming practices may be advanced, but the processing technologies used to convert seaweed into valuable products are outdated. Today’s methods—largely reliant on grinding, milling, and chemical treatments—are mostly based on traditional approaches that can denature the source material, diminish its nutritional value, and perpetuate waste. This situation resembles the early days of the CBD industry, where the market initially focused on production without considering advanced extraction and processing to be able to deliver on demand and innovation of CBD-based products.

To truly benefit from seaweed’s remarkable properties, we therefore need to adopt innovative processing techniques that preserve its integrity and maximize its usefulness across various industries. Green Cell Technologies’ solutions can fill this gap by revolutionising extraction methods, just as we have in other sectors.  By enhancing the processing, we can unlock the true value of seaweed for producers, manufacturers, and consumers alike. 

For those focused on bottom line and commercial sense, Disruptor® technology provides significant benefits too. 

Farming Forwards, Not Backwards

To punctuate a point, the current discussions on seaweed often focus on the cultivation aspect, but it is time to broaden the scope and include how we can better process seaweed to add value throughout the supply chain.  Seaweed is an inherently sustainable resource, but its true potential remains largely untapped due to the limitations of traditional processing methods.  Going forward, we must ensure that we are not just farming seaweed efficiently but also processing it in ways that amplify its benefits and reduce waste. If this is done all in one, as it is with the Disruptor® cell disruption process and system, then so much the better.

The consensus for those of us in the seaweed industry is clear: innovative farming is already here, but we must now match it with equally forward-thinking processing technologies.  By addressing this missing link, the industry can create a limitless future where seaweed is not just a sustainable option but a cornerstone of the circular economy, setting new standards for how natural resources are utilised.

To truly capitalise on the massive potential of seaweed though, there must be a shift in mindset. When this happens, the conversation will no longer be about surviving on the planet but thriving sustainably.  

It is time to farm forwards, not backwards.

To download the dossier that was done by our licensee, RWH Holdings, on kelp (Ecklonia maxima), please visit our dossiers page on our website and, whilst you’re there, check out some of our other case studies – mind-blowing what Disruptor® technology can do…