SEAWEED Polymer Netzwerk

Innovation

Only around 29 per cent of the Earth's surface is suitable for agriculture, which increases the relevance of marine production areas. Cultivating aquatic plants in algae farms is particularly promising because algae can be used in many sectors, including cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals and food.

Algae are often cultivated in near-shore monocultures with potential environmental impacts. The SEAWEED OCEAN FARM is conceived as an autonomous offshore platform for intelligent, low-carbon production. Comprehensive use of the algal biomass, including energy recovery for biohydrogen production, is intended to improve resource efficiency and establish an additional biomass source.

The “SEAWEED OCEAN FARM” is designed as an energy-autonomous, autonomous and storm-resistant offshore platform for the industrial production of macroalgae. GPS-based control is intended to allow independent positioning in open waters without anchoring to the seabed.

Macroalgae harvesting is intended to be largely automated, leaving mainly the onward transport to processing sites to be organised. Industrial cultivation and harvesting are the first steps towards making this biogenic resource available at scale.

ALGEAPOX refers to a mixture of algal biomass and biodegradable plastics. Such materials are intended as alternatives to fossil feedstocks and petroleum-based plastics, for example in packaging, automotive and construction applications. The ALGEAPOX biopolymer is also intended for moulded products and 3D printing.

Depending on macroalgae quality and species, various valuable substances can be extracted in a biorefinery approach. In addition, the network concept aims to use residual materials for producing methane and biohydrogen.

Initial processing steps are intended to take place in the biohydrogen factory so that the algal biomass can be used comprehensively. Different species may require different value chains. A first step is the production of solid mixtures that can be processed into products in specialised facilities or used directly for biopolymer production.

Biogenic residues generated along the value chain are intended to be recovered energetically to achieve the most complete possible utilisation.