Farming seaweed
Our pilot farm will produce sustainable, ethical seaweed for use in bio-fertilisers, bioplastics, food, nutraceuticals and much more...
Started in the summer of 2020, we aim to harvest our first offshore grown seaweed in the spring of 2024.
Our initial farm will comprise a 5ha pilot project growing to 25ha over 3 years, with careful environmental monitoring at each stage of the project. The farm will aid regeneration both off and onshore in our region. Seaweed farming does not need land, pesticide, fertilisers, or freshwater to grow – it has zero inputs and does not produce waste.
Seaweed products
Initially we will provide dried seaweed weight to local biofertilizer, nutraceutical and bioplastic manufacturers, growing into our own primary manufacturing through a dedicated production facility, and in time, a biorefinery. There is huge potential in many markets - new products and uses for seaweed are being discovered every day.
Helping the Norfolk economy
There are incredible benefits in seaweed farming for creating high-value and local jobs, helping our coast diversify in the face of climate change. Norfolk Seaweed has extensive experience of the licensing process in the UK and will use that experience to share knowledge with others and create new income and opportunities in the secto
Benefits to marine life
Offshore, the seaweed farm will help to improve water quality by reducing acidification. It will provide shelter & nursery grounds for a whole range of fish, shellfish & invertebrates, acting as a mini-Marine Protected Area. We are setting up networks to work closely with local academics, conservationists and community groups to monitor and collect data on the regenerative and positive effects of offshore seaweed cultivation, providing essential concrete research.
Benefits to agriculture
On land, a primary goal for Norfolk Seaweed is to create a circular economy in our region, returning nutrients to the degraded agricultural land in the region through locally produced bio-fertilizer, improving the quality of our soil and of our rivers, reducing acidification. Farmed seaweed can significantly reduce cattle-produced methane when added to feed supplements, helping combat climate change.
Combating climate change
On its own in the sea seaweed is a huge contributor to combating climate change. By absorbing carbon emissions via photosynthesis phytoplankton and seaweed globally produce more than 50% of the earth’s oxygen.
Sustainably farming British seaweed off the Norfolk coast, for new, exciting, and environmentally-friendly uses
The seaweed revolution has started ...
Follow us into the big, blue future
“The natural thing for us to do was combine seaweed farming with our traditional seafood business to develop new products, do our bit for sustainability and provide opportunities for much-needed jobs in Norfolk”
Willie Athill, Norfolk Seaweed
Our partners
We are very grateful for our kind partners