Growing seaweed on land

To address both marine eutrophication resulting from nutrient flows from on-land aquaculture to the sea and oceans’ natural resources scarcity, Pure Algae began with the idea to solve environmental issues by developing Denmark’s first land-based vertical seaweed cultivation systems, turning aquaculture waste into valuable seaweed biomass. The FLAG funding helped Pure Algae to launch and equip its innovative business. 

As an innovation in aquaculture, this system presents opportunities to tackle wastewater issues associated with land-based fish production. CO2 emissions and excess nutrients, produced from aquaculture activities no longer escape into the environment, damaging marine ecosystems. Instead, they are used to grow macroalgae. The developed systems also support research towards a more circular bioeconomy by taking control of multiple parameters (flow of air and of water, light and temperature), help showcase sustainable aquaculture, and produce high-quality Ulva seaweed for food, feed, and pharmaceuticals. This project fosters local collaboration by uniting scientists and industry, demonstrating a sustainable and commercially viable solution that advances a circular bioeconomy in the growing aquaculture sector.