Scotland has a rich heritage of using seaweed, dating back to the 18th century. Yet, while some of the more traditional aspects of the industry remain, there are increasing 21st-century uses for the marine crop - with the drive for net zero an important catalyst for growth.
As well as being a nutritious, iron-rich food source, seaweed can be used to replace petrochemicals in a range of products. Biotechnology is key to this, with researchers exploring ideas to develop pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, plastic-free packaging, and construction materials, among other products.
Science and technology will play a major role in the future development of the industry. As well as helping companies in the supply chain to embrace new techniques and processes, researchers are continually coming up with new ways to use seaweed to maximise its value. Across the UK, businesses are already developing ideas and turning these ideas into reality, from NotPla and PlantSea’s bioplastics to Oceanium’s health and wellness products. A 2022 report by the Scottish Government estimated that, with the right conditions and infrastructure for growers and producers, the seaweed sector could reach a turnover of over £70 million by 2040. To achieve this potential, several challenges must be addressed to fuel the sector’s growth.
One of the biggest factors with scaling up the sector is preservation and processing. As soon as the plant leaves the water it begins to decay, so stabilising measures must be taken as quickly as possible. This also helps to ensure that products are available all year round. Different types of processing centres - such as Eco Cascade’s trial facilities in Kyle of Lochalsh - offer different methods including washing, drying, chopping and chilling which protect the most valuable or nutritious elements.
Fermentation is potentially another preservation technique, but its advantages are less well-known. At the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, we are supporting this area of research in particular. Brand new equipment is being installed at our FlexBio centre before the end of the year, providing companies with the opportunity to explore alternative approaches for stabilisation and the extraction of valuable compounds from seaweed on a scalable level.
Consumers also need to develop a "taste" for seaweed, helping to create and develop the end markets for various seaweed-derived products. Without demand for these products, companies will find it trickier to attract the investment they need to set up seaweed farms and grow into new markets. The more information that consumers have about the benefits of seaweed, the better.
Finally, we need to find the right balance between environmental protection and economic potential. With restrictions on the volume of wild seaweed that can be harvested each year, our focus is keenly on maximising the most valuable outputs, with sustainability front of mind. This will not only support rural communities and jobs but also help attract additional funding and open up business development opportunities. Further financial investment in seaweed cultivation would also be a welcome boost.
Despite being thousands of years old, we are nowhere near reaching the full potential of the seaweed industry in Scotland. With the right conditions it can grow to become a critical part of a greener economy fit for the future.
Annelie du Plessis is senior business engagement manager at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC)
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