__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Biomass
From regenerative innovation to industrial adoption
The significance of this initiative extends beyond one plant. When successfully operational, the model can be replicated globally, particularly in regions directly burdened by algae blooms. By locating facilities near affected coasts, invasive biomass could be harvested and valorized locally, creating new value chains while reducing ecological damage.
Scaling from pilot to a commercial biorefinery requires significant capital and patient partnerships. Regulatory approvals for new ingredients, particularly in sensitive sectors such as food and cosmetics, take time. Supply chain logistics, from biomass collection to processing, must also be managed sustainably to ensure long-term viability.
Yet these issues are not unique to algae. They are shared by many next-generation material innovators. The value of the Origin by Ocean and CABB partnership lies in its attempt to de-risk these hurdles by combining novel science with established industrial knowledge.
The future of functional chemistry
This project serves as a case study for how industries might rethink raw materials. By reimagining value chains at their source, companies can simultaneously address environmental externalities and industrial bottlenecks. The model demonstrates that sustainability can be pursued not only through incremental substitutions, but by fundamentally redesigning the chemical industry value chain. ■
Mari Granström www. originbyocean. com
Mari Granström is the Chief Executive Activist and Founder of Origin by Ocean, a Finnish green chemicals company transforming harmful algae into regenerative, high-value biopolymers. Mari holds a doctorate in organic chemistry and is passionate about aligning science, industry, and ecology to reimagine the future of materials.
newenergy-today. com 21