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Could seaweed be used as a supplement in animal feed

An innovative project involving the Scottish Association for Marine Science (����߹) could see seaweed being used as a supplement in animal feed.

The project, known as FeedMe, is a collaboration between ����߹ and Davidson Brothers (Shotts) Limited. Research will focus on the viability of an innovative pre-treatment process of seaweeds to produce a nutritional and sustainable supplement for feed products; biomass will also be a by-product.

Grant funding of around £50,000 has come from Interface Food & Drink’s legacy competition, which has also pledged £38,000 to another industry–academic project that seeks to test the innovative application of pyrolysis in converting waste plastic in the farming industry.

Helen Pratt, Project Manager at Interface Food & Drink, said: “Working together, business and academics can push ahead with really ground-breaking innovations which enhance the sustainability of the businesses in all senses of the word, and help the evolution of the dream of a circular economy into reality.

“These two projects, which will be the last funded through an Interface Food & Drink competition, stood out as not only having the potential to make a real difference to the individual businesses involved, but also to the wider industry, not only in their own competitive sectors but to primary production as a whole.  The sustainability factor of both projects appealed greatly to the judges.”

Dr Michele Stanley, who is leading the project for ����߹, said: ““Our work with seaweed covers a variety of applications, from food to biofuels, and I am delighted that Davidson Bros Ltd and Interface have recognised the potential of this work.

“Grants that support research-industry projects such as FeedMe encourage innovation and allow both parties to find mutually beneficial solutions.”

Gary Dow, company accountant, of Davidsons Animal Feeds, said: “Our aim has always been to provide our customers with value for money products that are high performance in their use for livestock production.  By collaborating with experts from ����߹ we hope to introduce a new, sustainable feedstock into our ingredients while maintaining the quality and high nutritional values our customers expect.”

Interface Food & Drink is funded by Scottish Funding Council and was set up with the aim of promoting partnerships between businesses and academics to drive innovation through knowledge exchange, collaboration and funding.