A Lewis based seaweed processor has announced £7 million expansion plans.
Hebridean Seaweed is investing in a new factory at its Arnish Point site which will support the creation of jobs and increase international sales.
The company has started constructing a new facility which is expected to double the number of employees to 26 once completed.
The firm is the largest industrial seaweed processor in the UK and supplies markets around the world.
New jobs will be created to support the growing international demand for its products.
Set-
Harvesting takes place all year round with cutting carried out manually and mechanically using a fleet of seaweed harvesting boats. The raw seaweed is gently dried in a tunnel drier and then milled to the customer’s specification.
Increasing demand for seaweed stretches across many sectors of the food industry.
Products made by Hebridean Seaweed are also used for animal feed supplement, soil enhancement, alginate, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries.
The company plans to form a research and development department at the new facility which will be staffed by a highly skilled workforce developing innovation in the seaweed industry.
Managing Director, Martin Macleod, said: “The Outer Hebrides has vast amounts of
seaweed and we only use a percentage of it and in close co-
“We look forward to growing the business from our Isle of Lewis base substantially in the coming months and years.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded funding of £659,000 towards the expansion.
Some £800,000 from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will also assist the construction of the new factory.
Seaweed processor set for £7 million expansion
5 February 2019
Harvesting seaweed mechanically