Seaweed surge: EU accelerates algae nutrition and packaging with new market platform

14 Feb 2022 --- The European Commission (EC) is launching a stakeholder platform to promote algae use for nutrition and packaging. Called EU4Algae, the project aims to accelerate business development and consumer awareness in the EU.

The EC will be working with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and a consortium of sustainability consultants composed of EurA, The European Algae Biomass Association, Systemiq, Technopolis and s.Pro for three years, beginning this summer.

The EC says that despite the evidence of algae’s nutritional value, along with its long history of use in Asian cuisine and recent scientific developments proving its uses for industrial feedstock and bioplastics, “the uptake in Europe of algae production and consumption is too slow.”

“The platform will be a unique space for collaboration among European algae stakeholders, including algae farmers, producers, sellers, consumers, technology developers as well as business-support organizations, investors, public authorities, academia, researchers and NGOs,” states the EC.

“It will also act as a single information hub on algae funding calls, projects, business-related information, intelligence and best practices.”

The EC recently invested in what could become the world’s largest microalgae biorefinery in France.Seaweed nutrition boom
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, various algae products have been launched globally for their immune-supporting properties.

Last summer, for example, global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries was granted a US patent on the use of its Euglena gracilis algae-derived BetaVia’s beta 1,3 glucans, which have been shown to modulate human immune function and treat intestinal inflammation.

In Europe, Portuguese companies Allmicroalgae and Algaplus began promoting jointly developed microalgae, and a macroalgae powder blend branded Algaessence, which they say is the first such product launched in Europe. The product is touted for its immune-supporting power, containing protein, dietary fiber, vitamin B12 and ALA (omega 3), iodine, iron and magnesium.

Production race
These product launches are matched by larger supply chain investments, with the Australian government last year investing AU$59 million (US$44 million) in the country’s new Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre, which is working to meet global demand for plant-based proteins like algae.

This initiative is supported by 68 industry, academic and government partners, who are co-investing AU$70 million (US$52 million) in cash and AU$140 million (US$105 million) of in-kind contributions, for a total investment of AU$269 million (US$190 million) in the center.

Companies and consumers are turning toward algae for its immunity benefits amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Similarly, the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking – a public-private partnership involving the EC and the Bio-industries Consortium – last year invested €15 million (US$17.7 million) into creating the “world’s largest” fully integrated microalgae biorefinery in France.

The four year project is being led by Microalgae-based ingredients producer Microphyt and includes 11 international partners.

Seaweed packaging
The EC’s EU4Algae platform will also be focusing on promoting research into algae’s use for environmentally sustainable industrial applications like bioplastics. A number of business developers and academic researchers are touting algae’s potential as an essential ingredient in biodegradable materials that could replace traditional plastics as legislation tightens worldwide.

Recently, UK-based Notpla raised £10 million (US$13.3 million) in series A round funding for its seaweed-based packaging materials, which include food packs, films, coatings, sachets, pipettes and paper products.

The company is already working with takeaway delivery service Just Eat to trial seaweed-based boxes for the foodservice industry.

Last year, Russian and Indian scientists also created an algae-based, water-soluble, edible film for food packaging. The researchers say the film, which is primarily composed of sodium alginate, dissolves by 90% within 24 hours. They also say the material is edible and could extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, poultry and seafood.

By Louis Gore-Langton

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