A SCOTTISH seaweed start-up has announced plans to develop into the UK’s leading processing facility.
Seaweed Enterprises Limited, which is headquartered in Fife, is aiming to scale up its factory and operations in order to become the UK’s primary base for harvesting and processing seaweed.
It comes after the firm managed to retain seven jobs in the region after purchasing assets from Mara Seaweed, which went into administration in June.
Research has previously found that Scotland is “ideal for cultivation of seaweeds such as kelp”, with interest growing in the industry over recent years.
However, Seaweed Enterprises say it is still an under-invested, untapped and highly fragmented sector.
As well being used as a food product, seaweed can also be found in numerous cosmetic and pharmacological products and in agricultural fertiliser.
Seaweed Enterprises CEO Pete Higgins said the new facilities will help Scotland realise the potential of the industry.
He said: “Seaweed is an extraordinarily beneficial natural resource whose potential is not yet fully realised, so this is a tremendously exciting time for Seaweed Enterprises and the sustainable seaweed sector as a whole.
“Working in partnership with Scottish seaweed farmers, as well as the large volume from our licence to wild harvest granted by the Crown Estate, we are proud to be developing innovative products to the highest standard.
“Our state-of-the-art facility will offer not only volume much needed by many customers, but importantly the versatility and refinement for higher value items.”
The team, which includes senior members from Mara Seaweed, has already secured private investment to go forward with its business plan, which forecasts its growth into the leading seaweed processing hub in the UK.
Its production site in Glenrothes is key to this progressing, allowing the company to sell a range of seaweed species for numerous uses including skincare and agri-business.
The global market for seaweed is set to grow by $7.8 billion outside of East Asia over the next eight years.
