SFI Seaweed is a centre for research-based innovation funded by the Research Council of Norway. The centre has 21 partners representing:
- Research institutes and universities,
- Norwegian and international industrial companies,
- Public sector users and industry organisations.
The centre covers the entire value chain for cultivated seaweed – from producing seedlings that are deployed at sea, to developing improved cultivation systems, harvesting methods, storage and processing. At the same time, researchers are studying how seaweed affects the environment and climate, and how a future industry can be developed sustainably. In total, 12 PhD and postdoctoral researchers will contribute to the research. Not least, efforts will be made to develop markets for seaweed-based products.
An important part of the centre’s work is to build an industry where as little as possible goes to waste.
This is being pursued through four main areas:
Materials
Can old equipment from the aquaculture industry be reused in new seaweed cultivation systems? Researchers are developing solutions that both save resources and create more robust installations.
Resources
Seaweed absorbs nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. For this reason, integrated cultivation of seaweed and farmed salmon is being tested, allowing the seaweed to make use of nutrients that currently end up in the sea. On land, researchers are also investigating the cultivation of green algae in tanks, fertilised with residual streams from smolt production.
Energy
Drying is one of the most energy-intensive stages of seaweed cultivation. The centre is developing technology that can utilise surplus heat from industry to stabilise biomass in a cost-effective and climate-friendly way.
Products
For cultivation to be profitable, the entire biomass must be utilised. Therefore, new biorefining methods are being developed so that everything from proteins and carbohydrates to minerals and pigments can be put to use.
The centre’s partners are already working with products across several industries:
- bioplastics and packaging,
- fertilisers and soil improvement products,
- fish feed,
- chemical ingredients,
- food products.
This creates many possible pathways towards a future profitable industry.
SFI Seaweed aims to be a leading hub for research, industry and public authorities in the development of a sustainable macroalgae industry. The goal is to strengthen Norwegian value creation, reduce dependency on imports and contribute to global green solutions.
For more information, visit www.sfiseaweed.com
