Optimization of Land-Based Seaweed Cultivation

The world population is estimated to be approximately 10 billion people by 2050. Consequently, there will be an increasing demand for protein-rich and nutritious food that is sustainably produced. Seaweeds are identified as promising vegetarian protein sources with high growth rates. However, to make seaweeds a reliable protein source in the future, there are strong incentives to raise protein levels further.

Land-based seaweed cultivation is promising due to the possibility to control the production cycle and biomass composition of the seaweeds, independent of the season. It also opens the possibility to culture seaweeds in integration with different industries that release waste water containing high concentrations of nutrients (process waters).