When it comes to sustainability innovation, seaweed has become a
hero
on many fronts: From its carbon-sequestration
ability
to its potential as next-generation packaging
materials,
methane-reducing livestock
feed,
sustainable
dyes and more,
the marine superplant offers innumerable environmental benefits and practical, circular
applications.
However, one type of seaweed has not received the same appreciation for its
potential: sargassum — a prolific alga that plagues beaches across the
Caribbean, USA, Mexico and West Africa. Known for its buoyant,
brown, leafy appearance, this relentless invader devastates coastal environments
and ecosystems — smothering vital habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass
beds, and depleting oxygen levels in the water. To add insult to injury, the
pungent odor emitted by decaying sargassum repels tourists — turning
once-vibrant beaches into malodorous landscapes — which is devastating for
coastal communities reliant on tourism revenue.
These algal blooms thrive in the vast expanse known as the Great Sargassum
Belt
— a sprawling stretch of oceanic territory where up to 100 million tonnes grow
annually. The relentless growth is exacerbated by climate
change
— which alters ocean currents and temperatures, providing optimal conditions for
its proliferation. Additionally, the influx of synthetic fertilizers into the
Atlantic Ocean contributes to nutrient-rich waters that further fuel sargassum
blooms. Despite global efforts,
eradicating sargassum remains a daunting endeavor.
Thalasso
Enter Thalasso — a Norwegian startup whose
Ocean Harvester technology and micro-biorefineries offer a circular solution for both harvesting sargassum
from affected coastal areas and transform it into valuable products. Co-founded
by serial entrepreneur Frode
Sønstebø and Paulina
Zanela — an international relations
expert with a background in marine-ecosystem management, social impact, NGOs and
government affairs — in 2019, Thalasso was born from a shared epiphany at the
intersection of global water solutions.
the exciting potential of cultivated, fermented and plant-based protein innovation
Join us as Aleph Farms, the Better Meat Co, the Good Food Institute and Plantible Foods discuss the latest advancements in cultivated, plant-based, and fermentation-derived proteins — and how incorporating alternative proteins can help brands significantly reduce environmental impacts, while conserving natural resources — Tuesday, Oct. 15 at SB'24 San Diego.
“We were among 10 companies attending a World Bank, Panama government
and IE Business School Madrid event
focusing on global water solutions. After the event, Paulina and I realized that
we had synergies to pursue the sargassum issue with the knowledge we had from
each part,” Sønstebø told Sustainable Brands® (SB). “A few months later,
leveraging Paulina’s connection with the Mexican government and the experience
of the Norwegian company I worked with — which specialized in assembling
technology on boats — we decided to join forces and establish a company
dedicated to finding solutions for harvesting and sustainable management of
sargassum seaweed.”
Harvesting sargassum
Thalasso’s autonomous Ocean
Harvester is being
developed to harvest sargassum in a way that is both sustainable and applicable.
Powered by electricity and equipped with battery-driven systems, the harvester
will integrate solar panels into its design to partially fuel its energy needs.
The harvester will be equipped with the technology to detect nearby sargassum,
tracking its movement, and is also designed to minimize harm to marine life,
incorporating features to prevent bycatch. Each harvester boat will be able to
collect 20-40 tons per hour.
With the influx of sargassum more pronounced than ever across thousands of
kilometers and hundreds of beaches, solutions such as Thalasso’s can’t come soon
enough. The Ocean Harvester is in final stages of development, with Sønstebø
anticipating that it will be ready for testing early next year and a vessel
equipped with its packing solution to follow shortly after: “Developing
innovative solutions takes time, especially when parts of the technology need to
be invented. We have been focusing on trials for our automatic packing solution,
which has been built partly and tested,” he explained.
From menace to resource
After the Ocean Harvester has collected the sargassum, Thalasso's network of
mobile micro-biorefineries
can convert the unwelcome seaweed into valuable chemical compounds for
industries including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, feed,
fashion, textiles and bioplastics.
“The micro-biorefinery is still in development; but we've conducted previous
laboratory tests, which have provided us with valuable insights and experience,”
Zanela told SB. “Given the vast amount of sargassum available, amounting to
millions of tons, it represents a significant source of biomass — making it
highly valuable, regardless of individual yields. Where some may perceive it as
waste, we see it as a game-changing opportunity.”
Unlike traditional biorefineries, Thalasso's micro-biorefineries are easy to
install — making them suitable for remote seaweed farms. By enabling on-site
conversion of seaweed into high-value products, these refineries promote
sustainable utilization of marine resources while mitigating transportation
emissions.
“The pilot refinery currently processes 1.5 tons of sargassum per day, but we’re
hoping to scale it in terms of capacity and amount of refineries very soon.
Plus, the sun-drying protocol is expected to dry and store many more tons,”
Sønstebø explained.
Along with the environmental benefits of removing the invasive algae from the
affected ecosystems, the micro-biorefineries will support economic growth and
job creation in the affected areas. By engaging local communities, Thalasso aims
to create jobs in harvesting, processing and research — driving inclusive,
sustainable economic development in affected coastal regions.
“We envision the combination of innovation, sustainability and community
empowerment shaping the overarching narrative of ocean conservation and economic
development,” Zanela asserted. “Our harvester and micro-biorefinery illustrate
this vision by utilizing sargassum as a valuable resource across multiple
industries, supporting both innovative and sustainable practices.”
Get the latest insights, trends, and innovations to help position yourself at the forefront of sustainable business leadership—delivered straight to your inbox.
Scarlett Buckley is a London-based freelance sustainability writer with an MSc in Creative Arts & Mental Health.
Published May 29, 2024 2pm EDT / 11am PDT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST