brown macroalgae native to the atlantic sargasso sea increasingly threatened Since the 2011 explosion of mats of otherwise beneficial seaweed (known as sargassum), it has impacted coastal ecosystems and communities across the Gulf of Mexico. carbon waverecently raised $5 million to put giant algal blooms to good use.
researchers say Farm and sewage spills It may now be driving the 5,000-mile-wide Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.climate change too play a role.
is not necesary to run while screaming From Sargassum, despite the tone of some stories covering flowers bound for Florida.Yet they pose a threat coral reef And so do tourism-dependent livelihoods. As garbage accumulates on the beach, it rots and releases nasty hydrogen sulfide.
Recent Hondawara surge People are being forced to find creative ways to get rid of it, and already possible applications are running the gamut. syrup, brick and even jet fuelWhen it comes to Carbonwave, the Boston-Puerto Rico-based startup uses it in fertilizers, cosmetics, and even faux leather.
patronage ESGan investment company with the theme of Natixis and Viridios Capitaland a marine-focused VC catapultCarbonwave said the new cash will help it expand its production of seaweed-based emulsifiers for cosmetics. The company also claimed that its sargassum fertilizer “reduces need”. Promoting climate change Nitrogen fertilizer.
CEO Geoff Chapin said Carbonwave manufactures these products through a “proprietary extraction process.” arsenicLiquid fertilizer is made in this process, and the remaining pulp becomes the raw material for emulsifiers and fake leather. According to Chapin, the company “uses nearly every part of the seaweed to make these products.”
Carbonwave is part of a wave of startups competing to turn algae into eco-friendly products.First of all, H&M backs Algiknit (now Keel Labs), to create textiles.Numerous bioplastic companies including loliware and Uruuwith a company called ; Umaro, to make sea bacon.Seaweed start-ups often focus on commercializing kelp in one way or another, but in a few ways (Carbonwave and seaweed generation) focus on sargassum.
Carbonwave told TechCrunch, “We need to put it to good use before we do more harm to our ecosystems and climate.
The startup added that it could $5 million SRaise additional funding later. It has secured at least $12 million to date.
