Automated high density macroalgal protein biomass cultivation system

UK aquaculture SME SeaGen has a core project team of Patricia Estridge (entrepreneur/CEO/software-engineer), Paul Gray (marine-engineer/senior-mechanical-engineer), Duncan Smallman (PhD/marine-biology/cultivation), Dan Schaub (software-engineer) and Mike Allen (professor/algal-biotech).

UK animal feed SME, Abrimar, is led by Matt Palmer (animal-nutritionist/PhD) with Virgillo Ambriz-Vilchis (veterinary-surgeon/ruminant-nutritionist/PhD).

Climate change presents a global crisis that impacts people, environments and economies worldwide, with more severe impacts for those who have the least resources to combat them.

To halt warming, we will need to reduce emissions by 75% and massively increase biodiversity across the planet. For our food chain this means eliminating emissions wherever possible, and finding sustainable sources of protein for human and animal feed without water and land needs. We will need to rehabilitate our soils, bio-diversify much of our agricultural land, and continue to offer appropriate nutrition to the world's population.

SeaGen is developing an automated macroalgal protein cultivation system using seaweed to produce high protein poultry feed in partnership with Abrimar. This system is cost-effective, requires no land and needs almost no energy input or infrastructure. Machine Learning will ensure optimised growing conditions for the seaweed, leading to a high yield of biomass and maximise effectiveness for crop yield.

Seaweed offers us an opportunity to grow high protein biomass in the UK, without the need to commit more land to crop production. This feasibility study will allow full assessment of possible cost reductions in high protein seaweed cultivation, and allow us to assess its potential for a source of high protein animal feed.

While this project will have global benefit, it can also specifically bring jobs and income to coastal communities, which have heightened risks from climate change. SeaGen's technology will be the first to use next-gen technology to reduce costs and boost productivity.