Seaweed feedstock for the bio-based economy of the future

 Rhodomaxx a seaweed start up company based in Sabah is taking the world by storm. It started by a family of local Sabahan who has been in the seaweed cultivation business for more than 20 years.Chung Ngin Zhun, its co-founder looks at seaweed as more than just and end product, raw material for bio plastics or agriculture feed. He perceives it as a system instead.

  

Our innovation, it goes beyond a singular seaweed product; instead, it encompasses an integrated innovation system that optimizes seaweed's capabilities in generating bio-degradable plastics, vegan leather, seaweed yarn, fertilizer, and conventional semi-refined carrageenan.

 

Kappaphycus alvarezi is the preffered sea weed for Rhodomaxx as it has been around for more than 50 years. Its plantation requires no bio reactor like micro algae. Kappaphycus alvarezi is also scallable and requires simple cultivation method. It is planted on long lines of rope.

 

Rhodomaxx plants its seaweed to ensure accountability towards its environment. It takes into account the greenhouse gas emissions, ocean and ecosystem impact. Currently it is being cultivated by small farm owners and is looking at converting it into large scale commodity farming without harming the environment.

 

It is planning to rollout 756,000m2 of bioplastics in year one. Currently it supplies it as raw material whilst developing the machine to convert seaweed to leather. AlgaGrow”, a bio-based fertiliser product.

 

Zhun sees the potential to support the effort of committed companies who opt for sustainable solutions. Companies like Adidas and Hermes have included vegan leather and sustainable suppliers into its business strategy to reduce environmental damage for the future.

 

Rhodomaxx invested RM1.5 million in research and product development, including for seaweed-based derivatives like bioplastics and feed additives, with plans to raise it to RM12 million in the next three years.

 

Chief Executive Officer of Bioeconomy Corporation, En Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak highlighted that the bio-based initiatives are rooted on sustainable practices that would add high value to Sabah’s agricultural and economic development.He stated that as the largest seaweed-producing state and third largest producer of ginger in Malaysia, Sabah plays a crucial role in contributing to the country’s agricultural sector and bioeconomy.

 

These initiatives are expected to complement the substantial revenues from seaweed as a highly valuable commodity, with an annual raw seaweed revenue in Malaysia ranging from RM50 million to RM60 million in the previous three years.

 

Kappaphycus alvarezii is cultivated on a single line.
(Pic :thefishsite.com)