World’s first seaweed processing focussed laboratory opens in The Netherlands March 8, 2019

In November 2018, The Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research (TNO) opened the world’s first laboratory to solely focus on the largescale processing of seaweeds at Petten, The Netherlands. This is the first step towards developing new technology to convert seaweed biomass into valuable biofuels and other raw materials for bioplastics, textiles, sweeteners and antioxidants. It is estimated the laboratory will process up to 50 kilograms of wet seaweed per day. According to Jaap van Hal (TNO researcher), “In time, seaweed production in the Dutch part of the North Sea could potentially supply 10% of the total energy consumption in this country”.

TNO has joined forces with one of GENIALG’s partners, Wageningen University and Research (WUR) along with other leading applied research institutes such as Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Deltares and the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN).

For more information please visit: https://www.tno.nl/en/tno-insights/articles/the-seaweed-lab-a-symbiosis-between-knowledge-and-industry/ or http://publications.tno.nl/publication/34627231/ZOp9ws/TNO-2018-stimulating.pdf