Steven Hermans

Shrimp farming in Vietnam is challenged by both low profitability and environmental degradation. CK, founder of Rongbient, wants to improve both sides of this equation with the help of a new model that uses seaweeds as a biofilter, a feed ingredient and as an …

One of the early advocates of the Philippines’ smallholder seaweed farming industry, Iain Neish, has launched a new project in a bid to breathe new life into the sector.

The kelp farms of Kodiak are now ready to expand, if buyers - and the necessary processing infrastructure to serve them - emerge on time.

The province of Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines was once ground zero for tropical seaweed cultivation, and the industry remains its economic lifeline to this day. Five decades after its inception, however, a thorough transformation is needed.

Pond farming of Gracilaria seaweeds has seen steady growth in Indonesia over the past 30 years. While demand continues to grow, both seaweed farmers and upstream processors are aware that methods need to improve, as the industry hits environmental limits.

While there are still a number of challenges to overcome, a number of innovators in the Philippines believe that cultivating Ulva has long term potential at a time when diversification of the country’s seaweed sector would be welcomed.

Sea6 Energy has the ambition to transform seaweed markets through radical improvements in cultivation techniques. The vision is big, and bringing that vision to life takes time, according to chief business officer Sowmya Balendiran.

Seadling, which is based in Malaysian Borneo, sees fermenting seaweed for pet food ingredients as the first step towards unlocking greater value from tropical macroalgae.