Sea the growth of algae industry with plans to grow ten times its size

Construction of the algae farm 2km north of Woodburn.

Susanna Freymark

Among the canefields of Woodburn, a new, nutritious industry is blooming.

The Sea02 Nanno Agriculture is a biotechnology company that is growing algae.

And not just any algae – nannochloropsis microalgae which is a pure and sustainable source of Omega-3s, protein and other nutrients.

Dr Skye Thomas-Hall said they were producing algae flour –a green powder that can be added to foods, capsules and pet food.

The site 2km north of Woodburn next to Richmond River is where the algae is grown in seawater but it is only partly operating at the moment.

“We’re just turning everything on,” Mr Thomas-Hall said.

The Sea02 Nanno site next to Richmond River.

The Omega-3 algae they’ll be producing makes spirulina “look ordinary” he said.

“We’re looking to go wholesale,” he said.

Pet food companies and vitamin nutrition companies like Blackmores are potential customers.

Five staff are employed at Sea02 Nanno as well as “a bunch of casuals”.

Why Woodburn?

The McGeary family owned the land and were amenable to the venture and had the earthworks machinery to prepare the site, Mr Thomas-Hall said.

Rivers of seawater have been constructed at the site to grow the algae.

The Woodburn venture is a pilot project with plans to grow 10 times bigger than it is, he said.

“It’s a new industry, and algae is 1o times more productive than sugarcane.

“This will be an industry birthed from this region.”

Mr Thomas-Hall lives in Brisbane and has set up 12 other facilities.

“I’ve had all the learning,” he said.

“It’s exciting for Woodburn and exciting for little ol’ me.”

Sea02 Nanno was featured on ABC’s Landline today, Sunday, October 6. Watch it on iView.

Dr Skye Thomas-Hall. Photos: Contributed
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