Seaweed success

A ‘seaweed biorefinery’ is a term used in Europe’s emerging seaweed industry to describe the transformation of seaweeds into a cascade of different products and chemicals. It is essentially macroalgae’s answer to an oil refinery. Products range from expensive supplement powders and biodegradable packaging to environmentally friendly animal feeds. The idea has captured the imaginations of scientists and entrepreneurs alike – as well as funding bodies – for the potential benefits that farmed seaweed could offer the environment and coastal communities. But can companies like Oceanium make the most of what seaweed has to offer and do it sustainably, at scale?