UK start-up launches one of the world’s largest sustainability focused seaweed projects to combat climate change

Carbon Kapture, a bootstrapped start-up dedicated to the removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere, is proud to announce the launch of its first seaweed farm. The company has developed a unique business model allowing its customers to sponsor seaweed grown on ropes to absorb CO₂ directly from the sea. It then converts the seaweed into biochar, a stable form of carbon that can be used to enrich soil and reduce the need for fertiliser. In a ground-breaking move, Carbon Kapture has partnered with shellfish farmers in Ireland to grow the seaweed, with plans for its first farm to become even larger than Amazon’s newly funded North Sea Farm 1 project by the end of the year.

Image credit: TenSafeFrogs on flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

The idea for Carbon Kapture came from Howard Gunstock and Dave Walker-Nix, ecopreneurs who have spent the last four years exploring ways to create a model which is both impactful and scalable. After studying the potential of seaweed as a carbon sink, the pair developed a circular economy model based on capturing carbon from biomass, and then working with the local community to put it to good use. In the case of Mulroy Bay, donating it to local farmers to help improve their crops. As well as the agricultural benefits of biochar, Carbon Kapture’s farms will increase biodiversity and help improve water quality. The company is also big on local community and will get involved with schools, universities, councils, and businesses to create jobs and promote climate awareness.

“Our partnership with shellfish farmers is a game-changer for the industry and for the fight against climate change,” says Mr Gunstock. “We are able to produce large quantities of seaweed using a sustainable and eco-friendly process, and turn that seaweed into biochar that can be used to improve soil quality and lock away the carbon for hundreds of years.”

Carbon Kapture’s first farm has the potential to scale to 250 hectares, which would make it one of the largest seaweed farms in the world, capable of growing approximately 11,000 tonnes of seaweed per year. The company is also partnering with local farmers to distribute the biochar, ensuring that it is used in a way that benefits both the environment and the local community.

“We are excited to be partnering with local farmers to distribute our biochar,” says Mr Walker-Nix, CTO. “By working with the local community in County Donegal, we can ensure that our process has a positive impact on both the environment and the economy.”

Carbon Kapture is already receiving interest from a variety of organisations, including government, and NGOs, about the potential for scaling up the model to have a wider impact. “The most exciting aspect of this model, is the potential for exponential growth,” says Paul Rees, Chief Revenue Officer. “It takes us a matter of months to create a new Carbon Kapture partnership farm. Given the right interest levels, we aim to establish a global network of 200 farms over the next 10 years, which could capture over 364,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. We are interested in speaking with companies that wish to distinguish their net zero plans from their competitors. To achieve our growth plans, we are actively looking to build relationships with shellfish and seaweed farmers across the world.”

For more information about Carbon Kapture visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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dsm-firmenich launches as innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty

dsm-firmenich is excited to confirm the successful merger of DSM and Firmenich and the resulting launch of a new company that brings together one of the largest innovation and creation communities in nutrition, health, and beauty. With a nearly 30,000 strong team and unparalleled capabilities built on more than a century of cutting-edge science, dsm-firmenich will be a trailblazer in the reinvention, manufacturing, and combination of vital nutrients, flavours, and fragrances.

Combining the essential, desirable, and sustainable
By creatively applying proven science and drawing on data-driven innovation capabilities as well as exceptional standards of operational excellence, dsm-firmenich seeks to tackle the tension between what society needs, what people individually want, and what the planet demands in the areas of nutrition, health, and beauty. By working closely together with customers to create what is essential for life as well as desirable for consumers yet simultaneously more sustainable for the planet, dsm-firmenich is poised to bring progress to life for billions of people around the world.

Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze, Co-CEOs of dsm-firmenich, comments, “Today marks a new beginning for us all that is the culmination of more than a century of ground-breaking science from two great companies. dsm-firmenich now stands out as a category of one, uniquely working at the intersection between what people individually want and what we collectively need, without costing the Earth. After all, what is essential has limited impact if it is not desirable, and that impact is not positive if it is not sustainable. And sustainable things that people don’t want or need don’t help much! We are truly global, built on an incredible foundation of proven world-class science with the broadest portfolio of nutrients, flavors, and fragrances. We are delighted to embark on this journey together as a single force for good as innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty.”

Structured for success
dsm-firmenich is organised in four distinct high-performing businesses, rooted in complementary world-class scientific research and manufacturing excellence. Together they are uniquely positioned to help our customers realize their ambitions and address evolving consumer needs and wants.

• Perfumery & Beauty creates superior scents with proven benefits – always with the consumer in mind. Creating fragrances that smell amazing and make people feel even better, using the best and largest palette of natural, synthetic, and biotech ingredients.
• Taste, Texture & Health helps customers create food and beverage products that are delicious, nutritious, affordable, and sustainable. Providing enjoyment and nourishment for consumers, business success for customers, and better health for people and planet.
• Health, Nutrition & Care provides people a way to look after their health by adding critical nutrients to diet. Driving medical innovation forward, speeding up recovery, and enhancing quality of life.
• Animal Nutrition & Health delivers healthy animal proteins efficiently and sustainably, harnessing power of data to make animal farming practices more sustainable, productive, and transparent.

Delivering for all stakeholders
dsm-firmenich is a purpose-led company where people and planet as well as financial success are at the core of its strategy. As a company formed of two growth companies that are also global sustainability leaders, dsm-firmenich is determined to keep growing its positive impact and keep raising the bar in helping to tackle climate change, protect nature, and care for people all along the value chain. Working together with customers and partners, the company strives to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow while making a positive difference for the planet and enhancing the lives of millions.

A new name and identity

This is the last time our industries will see the
 DSM logo at conferences and expos
 following today’s merger.

To mark the launch of the new company, dsm-firmenich has revealed a new brand that captures the spirit of bringing two iconic organisations together in a merger of equals. The brand reflects the company’s purpose and values and is the expression of a shared identity. The brand symbolizes the company’s mission to combine what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. The purpose of dsm-firmenich is to bring progress to life, together with customers and partners, to achieve positive change and make a difference in the world.

Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze, Co-CEOs of dsm-firmenich, adds, “We honour the legacy of DSM and Firmenich by taking the best of both companies in creating a fresh, new identity. It’s lively. It’s vibrant. It’s led by our purpose. Just like dsm-firmenich. This is the beginning of an exciting new time for our employees, our customers, and our partners as we go above and beyond in shaping a positive future for all and as we bring progress to life.”

Following the successful completion of the merger, Geraldine Matchett has decided this is the right time to further her career elsewhere and will move on, as of September 1, in full alignment and with the thanks of the Board of Directors. Dimitri de Vreeze will be the dsm-firmenich CEO.

For more information visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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Benchmark promotes Stenerud and Holmvåg in new leading commercial roles to sustain successful sales growth of the salmon product range

Effective May 1, the company has promoted Kate Furhovden Stenerud as the new Commercial Director for salmon, while Thommy Holmvåg is the new Commercial Lead for genetics in Norway. These changes are part of the company’s strategy to enhance its sales of genetics and health products for the aquaculture industry. The sales department is now better equipped to continue the positive growth of Benchmark’s product range.

Ms Stenerud takes over the commercial responsibility from Geir Olav Melingen, who will become the new Head of Benchmark Genetics starting June 1, 2023. Ms Stenerud previously worked with regional customer responsibility in South Norway and has collaborated closely with the global sales team. In her new role, she will report to Mr Melingen, who is pleased that Ms Stenerud has accepted the position.

Mr Melingen states, “Kate has proven to be a strong candidate for this role, and we are delighted to have her take on this new responsibility. Her contribution will continue the great work that has been done in genetics and health for salmon worldwide.”

Benchmark’s commercial teams for Atlantic salmon are located in Norway, the UK, Iceland, North America, and Chile. The company provides fertilised salmon eggs and delousing services to more than 40 countries worldwide.

Newly created position
To support Ms Stenerud in her new role, Thommy Holmvåg has been appointed as the Commercial Lead for genetics in Norway, a newly created position, and will report directly to her. Mr Holmvåg previously held the responsibility of managing regional customers in Northern Norway.

“Thommy is a dynamic and collaborative team player who effectively communicates with both our customers and the team. These strengths will help us further develop our work both internally and externally,” comments Ms Stenerud.

Successful reorganisation
The commercial team and genetics marketing department were reorganised in June 2022 to focus more holistically on sales and marketing of the company’s Atlantic salmon-related products. This restructuring has positively contributed to building even stronger customer relationships and improving collaboration across different departments.

For more information about Benchmark visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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