Seaweed biorefinery concept for sustainable use of marine resources

TLDR

Seaweed is a versatile marine macroalgae feedstock that can yield diverse fatty acids, oils, pigments, antioxidants, and other high‑value compounds for industrial applications. The study proposes a seaweed biorefinery framework that integrates high‑value product generation with biofuel production, guided by bioeconomy principles and a SWOT analysis. The authors analyze the biorefinery concept through bioeconomy principles and a SWOT framework to assess its potential for sustainable development. Implementing the biorefinery approach lowers fuel production costs by maximizing biomass utilization.

Abstract

Seaweed, also called marine macroalgae, have a potential to be a valuable feedstock for biorefinery. Depending from seaweed type and species it is possible to extract different fatty acids, oils, natural pigments, antioxidants, high value biological components and other substances which can be potentially used in an industrial production system. The seaweed biorefinery framework presents a conceptual model for high value added product production along with production of biofuels either fluid or gaseous. This in turn reduces the cost of fuel production with maximum utilization of the biomass. The role of seaweed biorefinery concept is analysed in this paper under the perspective of bioeconomy principles and through a SWOT analysis was made to indicate the role biorefinery concept can play to support the development of sustainable bioeconomy.