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Exploring the benefits of sustainable seaweed production


Report interviews Floris Groenendijk, the initiator of the TO2 programme Noord- Zee-Wier-Keten (North-Sea-Weed-Chain), which has investigated the possibilities of exploiting seaweed as a Dutch product grown in the North Sea. MARIN has contributed to research by performing model tests. Rene Lindeboom, r.lindeboom@marin.nl


The TO2 programme is a Dutch network of applied research organisations - TNO, Deltares, ECN, DLO and MARIN. After a year of hard work the multidisciplinary approach has led to a deeper understanding of the potential of Dutch seaweed.


Floris explains that large-scale production of Dutch seaweed has many advantages. ”The world faces some big challenges; to feed the world in a sustainable way we must use the oceans. Seaweed is the best option; it is the lowest trophic level of the marine eco- system and so it is the most efficient when used for food, feed and energy.”


MARIN performed model tests on a generic, multi long line floater, which gave a good understanding of the technical operational limits. Multi-line systems are seen as a can- didate for large-scale seaweed production far offshore. However, they are prone to fail in such an environment. MARIN performed the tests with a multi-line model to get a deeper understanding of the failure mechanisms.


In order to understand the drag loads, towing tests have been performed with Laminaria surrogate material and Ulva contained in an innovative cage structure. In addition, several fully moored, interconnected multi-line floaters have been tested with typical waves up to a significant wave height of 4.2 m. The outcome of the test campaign reveals the root cause for failure, which will serve as a basis for future design improvements.


Floris concludes: “We managed to organise a knowledge chain. We have coupled knowledge


18 report


with all the elements in the seaweed value chain. This generated an added value because we have the overall view of all the cost aspects, risks, opportunities and the priorities for further research.”


However, there are still challenges to overcome before Dutch seaweed can be a sustainable product. “The greatest challenge is to enhance the value of seaweed by optimising the processing techniques. Seaweed must


become a more valuable resource. On the other hand, this is just a matter of time.” Now the TO2 programme has finished, the next step in creating a viable North-Sea-Weed- Chain is to maintain this cooperation by starting new projects with each other, he adds. “We also need to start a new formal cooperation that enrols multinationals in the development of seaweed as a major resource for the coming era - the era of a bio-based economy!”


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