The commercial landscape of algae production in Europe has been growing steadily in recent years. The number of European seaweed start-ups has reportedly nearly tripled in the past ten years.[1] Most seaweed companies are found in France, and then the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark.

The growing trend in the algae sector more broadly is noticeable since the mid-2000s, and has benefited both the seaweed and microalgae sectors.[2]

R&D funding

R&D on algae production for food and feed has been receiving both private and public funding. Investments into European SMEs and start ups have been channelled through the BlueInvest platform[3] as well as other routes.

Grant funding has played a major role in funding the sector as a whole so far, representing 75% of investment into the algae sector in 2019.[4] Indeed, EU funding has supported at least 300 algae related projects to date, and it is planning to allow algae businesses to tap into a EUR 500 million “InvestEU Blue Economy” fund.[5] Further funding is being made available through the Horizon programme, and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

Need for EU support

There is a general need, recognised in the recent EU communication “Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector” (also known as the EU Algae Initiative)[6] for greater EU support to the sector. Ongoing research seeks to improve the economic feasibility of large scale cultivation of macroalgae in the Northern Atlantic, while seeking to optimise practices and develop further applications for algae across food, feed, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials.

Norway

Public funding for research and development has played a significant role in the development of the Norwegian algae industry. Indeed, Norway’s strategy, which has combined encouraging research and development in seaweed cultivation and delivering licenses for cultivation is credited for the high number of seaweed aquaculture companies found there.[7]