By Rhianna Rees
Established in Oban in 2014, the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) emerged from a coalition of organisations within the Scottish seaweed sector. Recognising the need for a unified voice, the founding members aimed to address some of the sector's most pressing challenges in policy, regulation, safety, and best practices.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it's time to reflect on the journey we've taken and the progress we've made.
The Evolution of the Industry
In the last 10 years there has been significant growth and the line between 'seaweed companies' and those simply utilising seaweed has become increasingly blurred – a testament to the sector's expanding influence and the growing interest in seaweed's potential. For example, you can buy seaweed-infused gins and seaweed crackers, and I expect to see more as businesses are using and experimenting with seaweed as both a product and an ingredient.
When the SSIA was founded, the seaweed farming industry in Scotland was in its infancy. At that time, seaweed farming was mainly limited to a research site at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) plus one or two very small experimental commercial farms. The concept of large-scale seaweed farming seemed a distant possibility, but fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has transformed significantly. The Marine Directorate has now approved 20 algae farm applications across Scotland, including innovative sites focused on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and multi-use developments.
Wild harvesting has also experienced a renaissance. Key players like Hebridean Seaweed (est. 2005) and Uist Asco (est. 2012) have revitalised an industry that once thrived during the kelp boom of the 18th and 19th centuries. Both companies utilise wild harvested Ascophyllum nodosum for a variety of applications, bridging historical practices with modern demands. Other companies, such as Marine Biopolymers are also using wild harvested seaweeds for a year-round cost-effective supply of biomass.
In the food sector, companies like Mara Seaweed and New Wave Foods have navigated the complexities of balancing B2B and B2C markets. Mara, after acquisition, split into the B2B 'House of Seaweed' and B2C 'Oshan' brands. New Wave Foods founded the B2B brand 'Horizon' and sold its 'Shore' crisp brand to Aquascot for further development. The journey of these companies reflects the evolving market dynamics and consumer preferences in the seaweed food industry.
In recent years, there's been growing interest in using seaweed for biostimulants, a development that could significantly improve crop security. As climate change continues to pose challenges for traditional agriculture, seaweed-derived products from the likes of Atlantic Mariculture and Kelpcrofters are emerging as potential game-changers.
The beauty industry, not to be outdone, has embraced seaweed with the enthusiasm of a mermaid discovering waterproof mascara. Ishga has made a name for itself selling seaweed-based products in spas and promoting treatments and products such as seaweed body wraps and seaweed salt scrubs. Self-professed ‘Dr Seaweed’ Craig Rose has been promoting the use of seaweed as a supplement since founding his company in 2018, and has gone on to receive a number of awards in the category. Oceanium, a company focused on fucoidan extraction and the potential of biorefineries, is exploring new frontiers in the development of seaweed-derived products.
Industry Milestones and Market Trends
Over the past decade, the seaweed industry has witnessed several milestones that have shaped its current trajectory:
Bioplastic Potential: Seaweed bioplastics have gained significant attention as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products. While companies in Wales, London, and Cambridge have pioneered this field, there is still untapped potential for similar developments in Scotland. The environmental benefits of these bioplastics—being compostable, disposable, and free from microplastics—highlight the sector's alignment with global sustainability goals.
Shifting Focus to High-Value Products: In 2014, the potential use of seaweed as a biofuel was a major focus of academic research. However, the high cost and value of seaweed biomass have redirected attention toward more profitable applications, such as high-value extracts for food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Growth in R&D and Innovation: Research and development have been crucial in exploring the various uses of seaweed, from food products to biostimulants and bioactive compounds. Despite this progress, the industry still faces challenges in scaling production and processing to meet growing demand.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress, many questions from 2014 remain relevant today:
What is the total amount of seaweed currently in the UK, and how much can be sustainably wild harvested and where?
Where are the optimal locations for seaweed cultivation?
What are the target costs and needs of large potential buyers?
How can we scale production while maintaining sustainability?
What are the most promising avenues for value-added products and processing innovations?
The farming sector still faces significant challenges in scaling up, reducing production costs, and developing the necessary infrastructure. While funding has prioritised value-add companies doing R&D, there's a need for more support in growing seaweed farming and sustainable procurement.
The Upcoming Conference
This year's SSIA conference, scheduled for November 19-21 in Oban, will provide a platform to address these challenges and celebrate our achievements. The two-day event will cover a range of topics, including:
Scalable Opportunities for Seaweed Biorefineries: Exploring the potential for large-scale processing facilities that can convert seaweed into a variety of high-value products.
Biostimulants and Agricultural Applications: Examining the role of seaweed-based products in enhancing crop yields and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Coexisting in Contested Sea Space: Addressing the challenges of operating in shared marine environments and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources.
Future Market Potential: Analyzing emerging markets and identifying key areas for growth over the next decade.
We'll also be looking back at the last decade, acknowledging how far we've come while setting our sights on the next ten years. The conference will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to foster collaboration and drive innovation in the Scottish seaweed sector.
Join us in Oban to celebrate Scottish culture, the growth of our industry, and to raise a toast to the promising future of seaweed. Together, we'll continue to nurture this nascent industry into a cornerstone of Scotland's blue economy.
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