News

Ireland’s seaweed sector is advancing into high value health and wellness markets with the launch of the country’s first nutraceutical range made from native red seaweed (Palmaria palmata or dulse) by marine biotech company Pure Ocean Algae.

Based in West Cork, the company has introduced three products targeting hair and nail health, cognitive support, and hormone balance, following several years of R&D and human trials in collaboration with the University of Limerick. Early research indicates benefits related to metabolic and digestive health, supporting its move into functional foods and supplements.

A key differentiator is Pure Ocean Algae’s end-to-end production system, covering hatchery, cultivation, and processing. This enables consistent quality, traceability, and enhanced bioactive properties, which are critical for nutraceutical applications.

Dulse is rich in proteins, amino acids, minerals (iodine, magnesium, iron), antioxidants, and micronutrients, making it a valuable ingredient for health products. The company plans to expand beyond Ireland and the UK into EU and Asian markets in 2026.

The initiative highlights the growing potential of seaweed as a sustainable, regenerative resource that requires no land, freshwater, or fertilisers. With increased investment and scaling efforts, Pure Ocean Algae aims to position Ireland as a global leader in seaweed-based wellness, while supporting coastal economic development and innovation in marine biotechnology.

Seaweed Concept, a French SME, is scaling up its ambitions in the human food market with its lacto fermented seaweed ingredients. These ingredients are positioned as natural, functional additives that can improve both the carbon footprint and nutritional profile (Nutri-Score) of food products.

Currently employing around 40 people with revenues of about €400,000 in 2026, the company is entering a growth phase and is actively raising funds to expand its operations. As part of its scale up strategy, Seaweed Concept plans to build biorefineries in Brittany and internationally between 2027 and 2028.

By leveraging fermentation processes, the company aims to unlock new value from seaweed for the food industry, supporting the transition toward more sustainable and healthier ingredients.

Japan’s edible seaweed (nori) industry is facing a major crisis due to declining production and sharply rising prices, driven largely by climate change. Rising sea temperatures have disrupted cultivation cycles, delaying farming start times and shortening the growing season. Warmer waters have also increased fish activity, leading to greater crop damage from species like black sea bream.

As a result, nori production has dropped significantly, with fiscal 2024 output at 5.94 billion sheets, nearly half of 2001 levels. At the same time, wholesale prices have surged to record highs, more than doubling since 2020. Companies such as Yamamotoyama and Shirako have raised product prices by 20% to 36%, while some producers are sourcing nori from multiple regions due to supply shortages.

The price surge is impacting downstream markets, notably onigiri (rice balls), a staple food in Japan. Major convenience store chains like Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson have increased prices and are introducing nori-free alternatives to manage costs.

Industry stakeholders warn that the situation remains highly uncertain, with limited short-term solutions. While the government is working on heat-resistant nori varieties, commercialization will take time. Experts suggest interim measures such as protecting crops from fish damage and exploring new cultivation areas.

Overall, the crisis highlights the vulnerability of seaweed supply chains to environmental changes, with significant implications for food systems and pricing.

While better known for its prolific salmon runs and historic fishing fleet, Cordova is now also becoming a hub of innovation in mariculture, with seaweed at the centre of a growing green economy.

SeaDyes, a pioneering startup developing seaweed-based fabric dyes, has entered the Company Creation phase of Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme, securing £200,000 in funding.

For Holdfast and Stipe, seaweed is not just a natural plant stimulant — it is the foundation of a fully circular production process.

Newport-based artist Mary Chatowski Jameson is transforming seaweed into intricate and colorful artworks, using techniques such as pressed collages and cyanotype printing. She collects seaweed from local shorelines and preserves it to create pieces that resemble botanical illustrations and floral designs, highlighting the natural beauty of marine plants.

Jameson is taking her work internationally through a cultural exchange with Kinsale, Ireland, Newport’s sister city. She will host a solo exhibition, workshops, and a sold-out art retreat, while also aiming to establish an artist-in-residence exchange program between the two cities to strengthen artistic collaboration.

Her interest in seaweed began from personal exploration and grew through studying historical practices, including Victorian seaweed collections and early photographic techniques by botanist Anna Atkins. Over time, she developed her own methods and tools, and now shares her knowledge through workshops and teaching.

Beyond art, her work bridges science, history, and creativity, showing how seaweed can be appreciated beyond its common perception as waste. Through exhibitions, products, and educational activities, Jameson is helping audiences rediscover seaweed as a versatile and aesthetically rich natural material.