New case study: advancing kelp farming in Scotland

A step-change for the Scottish kelp industry, tackling critical bottlenecks and unlocking new commercial pathways

Led by KelpCrofters Ltd, the partners included EcoCascade, Scottish Agronomy, the Danish Technological Institute, PRM Waste, and Efficiency Technologies. The funders were the Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) and SAIC, and the project totalled £283,160.

Kelp farming offers sustainable benefits for food production and carbon capture, but the sector faces challenges such as short harvest windows, biofouling, and limited post-harvest infrastructure. This project tackled these issues by trialling new harvesting, preservation, and processing techniques to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

A custom-built pontoon increased harvest capacity and flexibility, while processes such as ensiling and fermentation enabled long-term, low-energy storage of kelp. These methods also enhanced the nutritional and bioactive properties of liquid extracts, showing promise for use in agriculture and cosmetics. Dewatering with a screw press reduced drying time, energy use, and emissions, while improving transport and handling.

Field trials confirmed the biostimulant potential of kelp extracts, and lab tests revealed strong antioxidant activity in fermented products. However, biofouling remains a barrier to food-grade kelp, highlighting the need for alternative markets.

Overall, the project delivered practical innovations that support industry growth, reduce environmental impact, and unlock new commercial opportunities across the seaweed value chain.

Read and download the full case study: ‘Improving harvests, preservation, and product diversification for Scottish kelp’.