ALGAplus was created with the aim of providing high-quality seaweed farmed in Europe in a sustainable way for a growing international demand of this raw-material. It´s the first and only company to farm seaweed in Portugal integrated with seabream and seabass - concept of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Set in an on-shore property at Ria de Aveiro, we work with native species of the Atlantic, having all the production and processing activities organic certified by EU standards. ALGAplus core business is the year-round cultivation of high quality seaweed for high-value markets as the food and cosmetic sectors. We operate mainly in the B2B segment, but we also reach retail and HoRoCa channels with our own branded products. We have the 1st commercial scale nursery for Atlantic Nori and we keep a culture collection for all the seaweed varieties in culture, namely Ulva, Codium, Gracilaria and Porphyra species. Innovation is the backbone of our company, with a strong internal team but also with a vast international R&D network that allow us to optimize our processes and discover new added-value properties for our seaweed biomass bringing new seaweed-based products for our target markets.

 

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Concrete Application

Our seaweeds are the solution for businesses seeking a natural and healthy ingredient assured with quality, traceability, organic certification, stability of supply and small carbon-foot print that can help to differentiate products. Companies in the food and cosmetic industries, specialty stores and restaurants are our main customers. Currently we produce around 40 tons/year of fresh seaweed, sold internationally in different formats.

 

The company owns 3 brands, one for each sector: ALGA+® to sell seaweeds in bulk with different formats and services to companies; Tok de Mar® for seaweed-based food products and restaurants and Sea Originals® for wellness products. Seaweed bread, salted honey, gin, canned foods and ready meals are an example of some products already launched in the market, to promote the consumption of this natural and healthy sea vegetable.

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Market Potential

The growing interest of consumers for natural, sustainable, healthy and clean label products, is extensive and global. Due to population growth and increasing environmental threats, sustainable sources of food and biomaterials preferably coming from marine renewable resources is on the rise. Seaweed are versatile and used in nearly all economic sectors, however wild harvest is limited due to availability and scalability. 

 

ALGAplus has emerged to respond to this trend by providing cultivated seaweed species from the Atlantic coast line, produced in an innovative, sustainable and organic certified system. It has a large of potential as a scalable food source, as it can be grown without using large amounts of land or fresh water. Besides nutritional richness, the consumption of seaweeds has a recognized functional value. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the occurrence of some types of cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, are some of the subjects intensively investigated. After food (10-20% growth per year in Europe), the use of seaweed in nutraceuticals, feed additives and cosmetics is driving the increase in biomass production.

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Key Points

• The IMTA land-based production system, located in a Natura 2000 coastal lagoon with recognized ecological value.

• Highly skilled team and R&D performance to provide quality, traceability, stability of supply and continuous technical support.

• International shareholders, well established in the industry and with global presence to continue our sustainable growth.

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