Marine biomass serves as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based industrial materials, promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable value chains.
Marine biomass serves as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based industrial materials, promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable value chains.
Marine Biomass Commercialisation involves collaboration with regional governments, communities, research institutions, and other stakeholders to deliver environmentally friendly solutions. Our focus is on creating sustainable industry practices that contribute to environmental remediation and promote socioeconomic development through innovative value chains.
Seaweed can play a significant role in combatting climate change by effectively absorbing carbon emissions, rejuvenating marine ecosystems, producing biofuel and renewable plastics, and generating marine protein for human consumption.
We are excited to collaborate with regional government institutions and look forward to successful projects that will yield substantial social, economic, and environmental benefits.
In collaboration with our international and regional partners, we provide sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Each year, millions of tonnes of seaweed accumulate on the beaches of Mexico, the Caribbean, and many other locations around the globe.
Seaweed and marine biomass serve as a renewable feedstock, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for petrochemical production. These resources can be cultivated quickly and harvested in a manner that does not deplete natural resources.
Carbon neutrality is significantly enhanced by seaweed and marine biomass, which absorb substantial amounts of carbon dioxide as they grow. This characteristic makes them not only carbon-neutral but also potentially carbon-negative feedstocks. By utilizing these renewable resources, we can effectively reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are typically associated with the petrochemical industry.
Biodegradability is a crucial factor as many petrochemical products are non-biodegradable, significantly contributing to pollution. However, utilizing seaweed-based feedstocks can lead to the creation of biodegradable alternatives, effectively reducing environmental impact and waste.
The development of a seaweed and marine biomass industry presents new economic opportunities, especially in coastal areas. This growth can stimulate job creation and bolster sustainable local economies.
Seaweed is transformed into biodegradable plastic through a multi-step process. First, the seaweed is either harvested or cultivated and then thoroughly washed to eliminate impurities. The extracted polysaccharides, such as alginate or carrageenan, undergo purification and chemical modification to enhance their desirable properties. These modified polysaccharides are then blended with biodegradable additives, including plasticizers and reinforcing agents, to optimize the characteristics of the plastic. The resulting mixture is processed and shaped using techniques such as extrusion or injection molding, yielding forms like pellets or films. This innovative biodegradable plastic provides a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, as it can be composted or naturally broken down after use, significantly minimizing environmental impact.
Chemical diversity in seaweed and marine biomass showcases a wide range of organic compounds that serve as essential building blocks for petrochemical production. These compounds can be effectively transformed into various chemicals, including plastics, solvents, and fuels.
Mexican gardener, Omar de Jesús Vazquez Sánchez, has discovered a sustainable solution to the sargassum seaweed issue affecting the beaches of Cancun. While the Mexican government has been tasked with clearing away up to 40,000 tons of the foul-smelling seaweed, Omar recognized it as a chance to innovate and create building materials. He established SargaBlock and began producing adobe-like blocks from the seaweed in a kiln. These eco-friendly blocks, composed of 40% sargassum, are being praised as a sustainable answer to a pressing environmental challenge and have received approval for use by the ecology and environment offices of Quintana Roo.
By leveraging the potential of seaweed and marine biomass, the petrochemical industry can advance toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.