Sea4Earth is hosting an online project presentation on November 20th as part of a fundraising effort.
For more information and an invitation, please contact: ndurand@sea4earth.com
We uncover sea treasures
for sustainable human food.
We aim to unlock the vast potential of seaweed in Europe.
1
For
health
2
For the environment
3
For the economy
4
For the
future
THE CHALLENGE
Feed people while preserving the planet
An unadapted diet that must change.
Our diet is mainly centered on cereals and meat, a food model that overlooks our needs and the global warming impacts.
Challenge on the ecosystem.
Less fertile soils, declining fertilizer stocks, and the global warming impacts will be increasing in future years, particularly for access to fresh water.
A global challenge to feed people.
The needs for food will increase by 56% by 2050. The population on Earth is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.
Finding alternative modes of production to move towards carbon neutrality and the protection of species is an absolute priority.
THE CONTEXT
A world market reaching the limits of its production capacities
Seaweed cultivation in Asia faces many challenges with saturated exploitable surfaces and the effects of global warming on water temperatures, which directly impact production yields.
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Countries such as Korea and Japan will also have to address the problem of replacing the aging workforce working today on seaweed farms.
These circumstances have a direct impact on the volumes and quality of Nori seaweed (macroalgae widely consumed worldwide, especially in Sushi, Temaki, Onigiri recipes... etc) which have steadily declined in recent years.
$6 billion
Global seaweed production represents 31 million tons for a turnover of more than $6 billion/year (FAO 2018).
95%
Seaweed grown mainly in Asia represents more than 95% of volumes, the vast majority of which (especially red algae) are used as an additive products.
1%
Production in Europe represents less than 1% of world production; unlike Asia, it is still mainly from harvesting wild stocks.
THE IMPACT
Social and economic benefits
Social Benefits
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Transition of maritime professions through the development of seaweed farming (fishing and shellfish farming)
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Creator of skilled jobs and incubator of technological solutions
Economic Benefits
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Multi-use: multiple industrial applications
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Economically revitalize coastal areas and lands formerly used for fishing and shellfish farming that are now in decline.
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Contribute to the reindustrialization and food sovereignty of France
INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS
International recognition of seaweed as a sustainable food solution
The United Nations
The United Nations is pushing for " An upscaled, responsible, and restorative seaweed industry playing a significant role in achieving the Global Goals by contributing to food safety and security, climate change mitigation, poverty alleviation and support to marine ecosystems." UN Ocean Global Compact
The European Union
Europe followed the international initiative and the 15 November 2022, the European Commission published its Communication "Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector", also known as the "EU Algae Initiative". This initiative defines a strategic approach to develop algae production and associated value chains in the European Union.
France
France is also moving forward and on November 5, 2021, the Minister of the Sea and the Minister of Agriculture and Food entrusted the General Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (CGAAER) with a mission to pave the road for the development of seaweed farming in France. The objective is to establish a roadmap for the development of seaweed farming as part of the Aquaculture Plan for the Future 2021-2027.
THE VISION
Develop seaweed farming and an environmentally friendly diet
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Our goal is to develop the processing at an industrial scale, of macroalgae cultivated in France and Europe, for the benefit of human food consumption.
Our ambition is to be European pioneers in the industrial production of seaweed products to serve an already existing market and consumers in demand for new alternatives.
Meeting the consumers’ expectations, who are fully aware of the major challenges we face, is at the heart of our concerns. We must satisfy them not only in their desires to change their summing habits but also by developing products synonymous with pleasure, quality, and full of new flavors.
The aim is to develop product ranges that will make it possible to meet new global food challenges in the future while preserving natural resources and our environment.
An integrated vision
The 3 pillars of Sea4earth's development and innovation
Culture
Farm 4.0 - Produce sustainably with full control over cultivation parameters, optimizing water and energy use through automation and advanced technologies. Generate high-yield, food-grade algal biomass with minimal land use and reduced environmental impact, surpassing traditional food production methods.​
Transformation
Industry - Designed for the valorization of cultivated seaweed, sized according to resources, demand, and available space.
Valorization - of seaweed cultivated in France for French production
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Products
Innovation - Seaweed as an unrefined ingredient in everyday consumer products, providing nutritional, health, and environmental added value.
Replacement - Producing sushi nori sheets and snacks in a short cycle, made in France
01
Principle 1:
Integration of the value chain
02
Principle 2:
Integration of skills
OUR GOALS
Our approach covers UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Development of a healthy and environmentally friendly diet
Protection of biodiversity (and later, ocean regeneration)
Reindustrialization of France and Europe for food sovereignty
Sustainable job creation (and later the fight against poverty)
Industrial innovation as an essential factor of sustainability
WHAT WE WILL LEAVE TO OUR CHILDREN TOMORROW WILL DEPEND ON THE CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY!
Meet The Team
Nicolas Durand
Co-founder & CEO
Régis Lefèvre
Co-founder
&
4 market experts
2 strategy and finance experts
A Korean team of 4 individuals consisting of product, industry, and marketing experts
