We grow & process seaweed to power our post-oil civilization

By cultivating seaweed, we protect oceans and provide sustainable biomass

Macrocarbon is lowering the cost and complexity of growing, harvesting, and extracting critical chemical inputs from seaweed, at scale. We use innovative marine science and engineering to sustain the next era of blue growth.

Pelagic Seaweed: The Floating Solution to Scale the Blue Economy

We’re experts in researching, cultivating, and processing floating seaweed species – which includes growing certain non-pelagic species using controlled floating techniques. This offers a cost-effective, less risky, and resilient alternative to traditional seaweed farming. These pelagic varieties require minimal infrastructure, are easier to harvest, and adapt well to various ocean conditions. Like hydroponics or aeroponics on land, we’re innovating the whole seaweed value chain.

We create pathways to upscale the world’s seaweed supply for high-value products

Our integrated model allows us to match selected native brown or green seaweed species to specific growing conditions, processing methods and off-take requirements from advanced industries. This model is unique as it is designed to be replicable in any locality around the world that wants to become a resilient blue bio-economy hub.

 

We co-develop a range of carbon-negative, drop-in replacements for aviation fuels, plastic precursors, and chemical inputs currently made with fossil fuels – reducing global dependence on fossil carbon, while sequestering carbon for the long term. As demand for biofeedstocks grow, macroalgae offers an unparalleled advantage over biomass that needs land, water, and fertilizers to grow. 

Our model makes establishing resilient, diversified blue economy more viable.

Our integrated model offers an efficient approach to cultivating and processing seaweed for industrial use, and ultimately establish sustainable biomass value chains worldwide. This system diversifies local economies and enables the creation of climate-resilient blue economy hubs along any coastline. By de-risking large-scale ocean biomass production, we provide a viable alternative to increasingly volatile land-based crops.

IP for sustainable industries, traditional ocean livelihoods, and regenerative practices alike

MacroCarbon’s methods and infrastructure are designed to be flexible and adaptable to various local conditions and livelihoods. They complement existing ocean infrastructure, traffic, and fisheries while enhancing their productivity and ability to contribute to sustainable local industries. Our approach also helps remediate waters affected by runoff and provides habitat for marine life.

On track to be a key player of the fast growing blue economy ecosystem in the East Atlantic

Macrocarbon is proud to be based in the Marine Science and Technology Park in Gran Canaria, a center of excellence for the marine and maritime sectors from where our team of scientist and engineers can unleash enable the next wave of blue growth across Europe and North and West Africa. But a thriving blue transition is beyond the capabilities of any one organization or company. That is why we are building an impressive roster of collaborations around the world, and across sectors.

WINNERS of the 2 Milllion EUR Carbon-to-Value Challenge

MacroCarbon was one of six teams funded with 600,000 euros in the first phase of the Carbon-to-Value Challenge from the German Federal Agency for Leapfrog Innovations (SPRIN-D). In 2023, MacroCarbon was one of three teams chosen to receive a further 2,300,000 euros during the second phase of the challenge.

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ALGANARIA

As we work to scale offshore operations, we will establish on-land cultivation of the green seaweed Ulva with fish-farming company Aquanaria’s aquaculture facility. Our algae will absorb nutrients as it grows to bio-remediate the water effluent from the fish tanks. We will extract high value compounds for use in materials and nutrition.

Location: Onshore, Gran Canaria (SPA)

Partners: Aquanaria

PLAQUAFARM

In 2025, together with PLOCAN, we will establish our 40.000 m2 aquafarm off-shore in Gran Canaria. Based on the knowledge collected during PORTAL G, we will start upscaling our operations to cultivate and harvest local seaweeds in the ocean. We will process the seaweed to produce biofuels and biochar to help us defossilize our economy and sequester carbon permanently.

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Location: Offshore, Gran Canaria (SPA)

Partners: PLOCAN (Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands)

PORTAL G

Our 2000 m2 pilot aquafarm is located at the harbor of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria since August 2024. This innovative pilot Here we will research new innovative methods to grow local seaweeds floating.

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Location: Las Palmas in Gran Canaria (SPA)

Pelagic Sargassum Pilot

In collaboration with Seafields, we validated our approach t o growing pelagic Sargassum within a 150 m2 barrier in St Vincent and the Grenadines (Caribbean) in spring 2023.  Together with the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), we also developed our proprietary methods to quantify & monitor floating seaweed growth, carbon uptake and environmental impact.

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Location: St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

Partners: Seafields Solutions Ltd., Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research