World's first large-scale mechanised tropical seaweed farm launched in Indonesia

Shrikumar Suryanarayan, chairman, and Nelson Vadassery, CEO of Sea6 Energy demonstrate operations of the company’s large-scale mechanised seaweed farm. (Image source: Sea6 Energy)

Sea6 Energy, a technology pioneer in the Blue Economy recently launched the world's first large-scale mechanised tropical seaweed farm off Ekas, on the island of Lombok, Indonesia

Seaweed is gaining popularity because of its potential to be used as an input feedstock to make many products that would otherwise be made today from fossil fuels or land-based biomass, which is increasingly in conflict with the human food supply chain. Moreover, the challenges involved in harvesting tropical seaweed at-scale have been seen as a significant barrier to growth in the industry.

By automating various workflows of seaweed cultivation, from seeding to harvesting, and developing proprietary processing know-how that dramatically enhances the feedstock's shelf life, Sea6's vertically integrated state-of-the-art technology platform increases smallholder farmer productivity and firmly positions the oceans as the next frontier for scalable agriculture biomass for a sustainable planet. Sea6's one-square-kilometer seaweed farm is poised to revolutionise the ocean economy by maximising efficiency, minimising environmental impact, and ensuring the highest standards of product quality, safety, and traceability while creating employment opportunities for coastal communities.

The launch was attended by dignitaries in Indonesia, including Luhut B Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Industry as well as the Indian and UAE Ambassadors to Indonesia, underscoring the importance of this innovative project in promoting environmental stewardship and fostering economic growth in the region.

"We are honored to inaugurate the world's first mechanised tropical sea farm, a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability in the Ocean Economy," said co-founder and CEO of Sea6 Energy, Nelson Vadassery. "This groundbreaking initiative not only showcases the immense potential of sustainable seaweed cultivation but also underscores our collective responsibility to develop sustainable products for future generations." Sandeep Chakravorty, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and Timor Leste also highlighted that the project was a shining example of India-Indonesia cooperation in blue economy. 

For more information, visit: www.sea6energy.com