Tech Collab, Atlantic Sea Farms, works with food giant Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. – Mainebiz
Atlantic Sea Farms, a Hub & Spoke Technical Collaborator, is a Maine-based regenerative kelp aquaculture company dedicated to healthy food solutions, sustainable farming, economic development for coastal communities, and reducing the use of as many fossil-fuel-based elements in their production process as possible.
Atlantic Sea Farms has partnered with Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. to utilize seeds, typically a discarded byproduct of Ocean Spray production to create a new product. This continuation of sustainability, recycled, bio-based materials, and the circular economy aligns closely with the work the company is doing with Hub & Spoke Researchers.
The project seeks to is to identify and explore current elements in the Atlantic Sea Farm production process that may be replaceable with a bio-based resin. This will include looking at the key performance properties of these materials as well as costs. Then, Atlantic Sea Farms will work alongside the University of Maine, a world leader in forest-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) technology, to extract CNF from their kelp.
York County sea farmer collaborates with Ocean Spray on product using ‘upcycled’ seed
After soaring seaweed demand drove a York County food processor to quadruple its space last year, the company is now teaming up with a much bigger player.
CNF is an inherent component of cellulose in organic materials, and is known for its strength properties and can be compounded with biobased plastics. Once a suitable kelp CNF has been produced, the material will be dried, compounded with bio-based polymers, and the mechanical properties tested. We will then evaluate the replacement of an identified component from the production process with a kelp CNF-bio-based material.
Hub & Spoke Technical Collaboratorations give industry and businesses access to the world-class researchers and facilities of the University of Maine and Oakridge National Laboratories in an effort to promote sustainable practices while supporting local economies.
In 2009, Atlantic Sea Farms created the first commercially viable seaweed farm in the United States. Since then, it has been helping lobstermen in Maine launch an alternative business during the off-season.
More about Atlantic Sea Farms
For More Information
Hub & Spoke Program
Susan MacKay, susan.mackay@maine.edu
Technical Collaborations
Greg Simms, gregory.simms@maine.edu
Atlantic Sea Farms
info@atlanticseafarms.com