Indonesian company Mina Agar Makmur Cooperative is producing dried seaweed and seaweed jelly products, which is then given to Western Australia biotech start-up ULUU to use for the production of ocean-derived biomaterials to make sustainable plastics.
ULUU and the Cooperative signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year for seaweed supply, with the first shipment of seaweed between the companies made in August.
The plastic pellets produced can be used to create items such as packaging, furniture, car parts and clothing.
Currently, the Cooperative has 1200 hectares of Gracilaria seaweed under cultivation by 150 farmers, with a production target of 1000 tonnes for next year.
Ten tonnes of seaweed can produce one tonne of ULUU plastic, which is produced by using saltwater microbes that digest carbohydrates in the seaweed during the fermentation process.
A delegation from the Indonesia Connect Roadshow – led by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis – recently visited the headquarters of the Cooperative to learn more about the trade partnership.
“The Indonesian Connect Roadshow – coordinated by Invest and Trade WA, continues to make great connections, and the delegates who attended the Cooperative with me, have gained some valuable knowledge when it comes to building a new trade partnership,” said Jarvis.
“Seaweed is a new commodity for East Java, and aligns with diversification of the region’s economy, along with supporting farmers.
“This arrangement is also a great example of sustainable, advanced manufacturing, which is a focus of the Cook government’s Future State: Accelerating Diversify WA strategy.”
ULUU also recently signed a joint venture agreement with an Indonesian proponent at a cultural event hosted by Invest and Trade WA.
