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.
READ MORE: Penny Mordaunt claims SNP urge people to 'forget family in the UK'
“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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here