Marine Biomass Alternatives to Petroleum-based Industrial Materials
“Environmentally friendly and sustainable value chains.”
Marine Biomass Alternatives to Petroleum-based Industrial Materials
“Environmentally friendly and sustainable value chains.”
Marine Biomass Commercialisation
Environmental Remediation - Sustainable Industry - Socioeconomic Development
“We collaborate with regional governments, communities, research institutions and other stakeholders in delivering environmentally friendly and socio-economically sustainable value chains.”
Seaweed can play a huge role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon emissions, regenerating marine ecosystems, creating biofuel and renewable plastics as well as generating marine protein for human consumption.
We are collaborating with regional government institutions and are very much looking forward to successful projects that deliver significant social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Working in collaboration, with our international and regional partners, we deliver sustainable solutions to significant environmental problems. Every year, millions of tonnes of seaweed washes up on beaches of Mexico, the Caribbean and many others around the world
Renewable Feedstock: Seaweed and marine biomass offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels as a feedstock for petrochemical production. They can be grown rapidly and harvested without depleting natural resources.
Carbon Neutrality: Seaweed and marine biomass absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide during their growth, making them carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative feedstocks. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the petrochemical industry.
Biodegradability: Many petrochemical products are non-biodegradable and contribute to pollution. Seaweed-based feedstocks can produce biodegradable alternatives, reducing environmental impact and waste.
Economic Opportunities: The development of a seaweed and marine biomass industry can create new economic opportunities, particularly in coastal areas. It can stimulate job growth and support sustainable local economies.
Seaweed is transformed into biodegradable plastic through a multi-step process. Firstly, the seaweed is harvested or cultivated, then washed to remove impurities. The extracted polysaccharides, such as alginate or carrageenan, are purified and chemically modified to enhance their properties. These modified polysaccharides are blended with biodegradable additives like plasticizers and reinforcing agents to optimize the plastic's characteristics. The resulting mixture is then processed and shaped using techniques like extrusion or injection molding to obtain the desired form, such as pellets or films. The resulting biodegradable plastic offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and can be composted or broken down naturally after use, minimizing environmental impact.
Chemical Diversity: Seaweed and marine biomass contain a wide range of organic compounds that can be used as building blocks for petrochemical production. These compounds can be transformed into various chemicals, including plastics, solvents, and fuels.
Mexican gardener, Omar de Jesús Vazquez Sánchez, has found a sustainable solution to the #sargassum #seaweed problem on the beaches of Cancun.
While the Mexican government has had to clear away up to 40,000 tons of the smelly seaweed, Omar saw it as an opportunity to create building materials. He founded #SargaBlock and began making adobe-like blocks from the seaweed in a kiln. The blocks, which contain 40% sargassum, are being hailed as a sustainable solution to a current environmental problem and have been approved for use by the ecology and environment offices of Quintana Roo.
Overall, by harnessing the potential of seaweed and marine biomass, the petrochemical industry can move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.