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Seaweed Dryers Market Research Report

February 18, 2025

Lead Entities: Hatch Innovation Services

Grant Component: Equipment & Technology

Through the Equipment & Technology component of the AMC grant, Southeast Conference (SEC) contracted with Hatch Innovation Services (Hatch) to study the global landscape of seaweed dryers and evaluate a range of equipment options for efficiency, reliability, and suitability for productive operations in Alaska’s mariculture industry.

Dedicated equipment, modern facilities, technological innovations, and automation are the foundation of a productive and efficient mariculture industry. However, farmers and processors may have unique needs, characteristics, resources, and challenges that determine which design and machinery is the best fit. This project will help guide mariculture investment strategies for seaweed farmers and processors.

The report features extensive market research and insights, an equipment longlist and compatibility assessment, recommendations, appendix resources, and a case study on Ocean’s Balance – a leading seaweed ingredient producer located in Maine – and Bennett’s Engineering – a specialized dryers supplier operating out of Cape Town, South Africa. The case study assesses how a customized dryer designed explicitly for the processor’s needs and budget can enhance drying capacity, optimize efficiency and product quality, as well as highlight key design considerations and influencing factors.

  • Most seaweed is traded worldwide in dried form, which aligns with the preferences of value-added manufacturers and wholesale buyers. For Alaska farmers, supplying this existing market presents the most direct sales opportunity.
  • Drying seaweed not only reduces weight but also stabilizes it, leading to significant savings in transportation and storage costs, especially considering the distance to market and the expenses of cold storage. Dried seaweed is shelf stable without refrigeration for up to 2 to 3 years without significant changes in quality.
  • To optimize these savings, primary processing should ideally occur near the source of cultivation. However, the lack of drying infrastructure poses a major obstacle to the growth of the seaweed industry.
  • Currently, the existing drying capacity in Alaska can only handle less than 10% of the harvested kelp.
  • Consequently, large quantities of harvested kelp remain unsold and stored in frozen form, which does not align with current market demands.

  • Growing emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly drying technologies. Manufacturers and producers are increasingly adopting innovative and energy-efficient drying methods to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize electricity costs and environmental impact.
  • Shift towards automation and digitalization in seaweed processing, including drying operations. Smart monitoring systems, control panels, and data analytics are integrated into seaweed dryers to enhance efficiency, precision, and quality control.
  • Current drying methods leverage advanced technologies such as belt dryers, heat exchangers, post-treatment, and pre-treatment processes to optimize drying efficiency and product quality.

  • The main factor influencing the selection of a suitable dryer is its drying capacity.
  • From a strategic point of view, a large-scale seaweed processing facility requires a dryer with high throughput to handle the volume of seaweed harvested.
  • A continuous belt dryer capable of processing several tons of seaweed per hour to meet market demand efficiently. This is likely possible for regional farmers’ cooperatives to finance, operate, and maintain.
  • The drum dryer option is identified as the most reasonable choice for smaller operations. If results are satisfactory, a similar model can be purchased to double the drying capacity when needed.

  • Use available funding opportunities to have large-scale capacity even if it’s not needed now; it will allow more farmers to come in as they have the drying bottleneck within.
  • More energy-heavy models should be considered in regions where electricity is cheaper (Kodiak, Craig, and Ketchikan) and could be a sustainable source (hydro, wind, gas, waste heat, geothermal).

Background

Southeast Conference (SEC) is the federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) for Southeast Alaska, as well as the state designated Alaska Regional Development Organization. SEC’s mission is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, sustainable communities, and a healthy environment in Southeast Alaska.

In September 2022, Southeast Conference was awarded a $49 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant to catalyze a viable and sustainable mariculture industry in Alaska, supporting the production of shellfish and seaweed, for the long-term benefit of the state’s economy, environment, and communities.

SEC leads the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant coalition, which includes members of Alaska’s mariculture industry, tribal organizations, regulatory agencies, university system, regional EDDs, trade organizations, and others. A Governance Body, composed of AMC coalition leaders and Tribal executives from each of the project regions, guides the grant’s work and equity metrics.

The AMC has complementary grant components designed to break down barriers and develop Alaska’s mariculture industry.  The Overarching Narrative explains how the grant components work together to grow the industry in an equitable and responsible manner. The full project period for the AMC BBBRC project is October 1, 2022 to September 30th, 2026.