NZ seaweed innovator cranking up

Paeroa - A project in Paeroa is likely to become the world’s first commercial seaweed-based nanocellulose manufacturing plant.

The innovative $1.5 million project is being supported with a $750,000 loan from government, creating nine new jobs.

The investment will allow Māori-owned AgriSea New Zealand, a well-established family company producing biostimulants from native seaweed for horticulture and agriculture industries, to expand and diversify its current plant and produce commercial volumes of nanocellulose hydrogel.

The product can be used in bio-composites, cosmetics, wound care and tissue engineering. The seaweed nanocellulose differs from tree-based sources and will supply a growing market in New Zealand and offshore.

AgriSea has been operating successfully for 26 years and is already a recognised leader in seaweed and agricultural products.

The development of the new product, in partnership with crown research institute Scion, is shining a light on the exciting potential of the marine economy.

The project aligns with Aotearoa’s aquaculture strategy and its goal to reach $3 billion in annual sales by 2035.

A University of Canterbury postgraduate researcher has previously investigated New Zealand seaweed to see if it can inspire commercial wet-resistant glue.

Biological sciences student Anton Mather worked under the supervision of Dr Simone Dimartino and Professor Juliet Gerrard, now the prime minister’s chief science advisor.

Mather investigated seaweed bio-adhesives that could benefit New Zealand’s naval and undersea construction industries.

As well as offering the adhesive to the Navy and the shipping industry, there is also potential for the seaweed-based adhesives to be used in the biomedical industry for repair of tissues in place of stitches.