State awards grant for Australian seaweed harvesting facility

Chief executive of Gather Great Ocean Group, Yang Wu, said the project was a long-term prospect for the Limestone Coast in manufacturing, innovation and high-end research and development.

Long-term plans for algin​

“We will be harvesting seaweed at Beachport and processing at the Snuggery site, keeping the operation entirely local to become involved with the local community and promote local economic development​,” he said.

“In the short-term, we will be harvesting and processing seaweed into fertiliser for commercial application. In the long-term, however, we are planning on expanding our operations to produce sodium alginate, or algin, an extract of seaweed used as a thickener, gelling agent and emulsifier in the food and pharmaceutical industries​.”

The company has partnered with Flinders University to research the conversion of seaweed into high-value products, which it hopes will lead to the introduction of more South Australian products to new markets.

Export opportunities and jobs​

Regional development minister Geoff Brock said the grant would help bring the Chinese-headquartered company's investment in the Limestone Coast to around A$21m (US$16m).

“This will bring significant export growth opportunities into regional South Australia, and is a great example of how our state can benefit from international investment​,” Brock said.

Gather Great Ocean Group is a high-technology seaweed processing business headquartered in China, exporting to over 30 countries worldwide and servicing the printing, food and pharmaceutical industries.

It is expected to create 20 full-time jobs as well as around 14 construction jobs for the duration of the build.