In an era where sustainability is not just an option but a necessity, many companies are looking to algae as a source of solutions.
The Invasive Algae Problem
At Origin by Ocean, we focus on a very specific challenge: the explosion of harmful and invasive algae species in our oceans. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and climate change have fueled the growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs), which choke marine ecosystems and threaten coastal economies. These algae are not just a nuisance — they contribute to dead zones, harming marine life, disrupting fisheries, and damaging local tourism.
Sargassum, our primary feedstock, grows in vast quantities, offering an abundant and underutilized resource compared to farmed algae. Unlike farmed algae, which requires controlled conditions, space, and long growth cycles, sargassum naturally proliferates in massive blooms, often overwhelming coastlines and marine environments. This excess growth creates a near-limitless supply that far exceeds what is typically harvested from algae farms. By tapping into this vast resource, we reduce the environmental damage caused by sargassum while avoiding the challenges of cultivating farmed species. This allows for greater scalability and a more sustainable production model.
Our patented biorefinery process transforms this environmental menace into valuable, high-quality ingredients for a variety of industries, from cosmetics and textiles to food. Our approach isn’t about treating the symptoms; it’s about creating scalable, sustainable solutions at an industrial level.
A Regenerative Business Model
What makes Origin by Ocean truly stand out is our regenerative business model. While sustainability is on everyone's agenda and many companies strive to minimize harm, our goal is to create net positive impacts. Our solution is designed to work on a large scale, turning invasive algae into a renewable resource that drives both environmental restoration and economic growth. The more we produce, the bigger our positive impact on ocean health and climate resilience. We actively contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems while providing sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based ingredients.
We Don’t Use Kelp – and Why That Matters
We consciously choose not to use kelp in our production. Many algae companies rely on a single seaweed species — often wild-harvested kelp — creating feedstock and sustainability risks. The high demand for wild kelp is unsustainable, with limited potential to scale responsibly. In contrast, we focus on invasive species like Sargassum, which are abundant and pose serious environmental problems.
Traditional algae biorefineries operate in a linear “take-make-waste” model, where they extract only one main product, such as sodium alginate, and discard the remaining biomass. This conventional process often uses formaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical that contaminates the biomass and hinders further refinement. As a result, up to 90% of the biomass is wasted, while formaldehyde waste is diluted and released into waterways, causing environmental harm.
Our biorefining approach bypasses these issues by using non-toxic methods that allow us to extract multiple high-value products from the biomass. Our model is built on the principle of maximizing value from feedstock, resulting in five primary, high-value products and a final, residual product.
By forgoing kelp and transforming invasive Sargassum into valuable products, we are not only creating algae-based ingredients but also pioneering a regenerative model for the future of the seaweed industry.
Multi-Product Innovation
Whilst many algae companies focus on single-product extraction, our patented multi-product architecture biorefinery produces six products including the biomass residue from the brown algae in one integrated production process. This multi-product strategy allows us to serve various industries, offering sustainable alternatives to materials traditionally sourced from fossil fuels, climate-sensitive plants, or resource-intensive crops. Our bio-based ingredients provide a range of sustainable solutions that help drive change across sectors.
Due to our unique source, our ingredients also stand apart from conventional algae-based products. For example, our alginate OCEANTHIX™, extracted from Sargassum, benefits from the properties inherent to its origin, delivering exceptional performance characteristics that are not found in traditional alginates sourced from cultivated seaweeds.
OCEANTHIX™ offers superior texturizing and rheology-modifying properties, making it an ideal choice for various applications in both cosmetics and food products. What makes it even more appealing is that our alginate not only meets high standards of quality and functionality but also supports environmental sustainability by utilizing invasive algae.
Zero-Waste and Circular Economy Approach
For us sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but the foundation of everything we do. Our production process is designed to be as low-impact and circular as possible. We aim for zero waste by maximizing the value extracted from every piece of algae we process. Unlike in traditional seaweed processing, our biomass residue can be repurposed for animal feed or other biomass applications. In fact, our process enables us to better utilize this residual biomass as a novel protein source for animal feed—and potentially for human consumption in the future—since our method removes the high levels of organic arsenic typically found in brown algae like Sargassum, making it safe for the food and feed sectors. Our novel biorefinery process technology does not utilize harmful and toxic chemicals in the process, using a high level closed loop process making it follow the principles of circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are reused.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond Products
At Origin by Ocean, we understand that environmental challenges require systemic solutions. Our commitment goes beyond simply producing algae-based ingredients. We’re building partnerships with coastal communities and global industries to ensure that our work creates long-lasting, sustainable change. By clearing eutrophied waters of harmful algae and creating valuable products, we’re turning an environmental crisis into an economic opportunity—one that benefits local communities and global markets alike.
Not Just Another Algae Company, But a Catalyst for Change
Origin by Ocean is more than a company—it’s a movement. We’re pioneering a new approach to sustainability by addressing two of the world’s most pressing problems: ocean pollution and reliance on fossil fuels. Our work stands at the intersection of environmental restoration and industry innovation, proving that with the right vision, the solutions to today’s challenges can also create the industries of tomorrow.
We’re not just here to make a profit—we’re here to make a difference. And the more we grow, the more significant our impact becomes.
We are not just another algae company – we are Origin by Ocean.