What Algaia does

Algaia is a French seaweed extraction and biorefining company founded in 2008, headquartered in Lannilis, Brittany, with operations in Saint-Lô (R&D and pilot facility) and Saint-Germain-en-Laye (commercial office). The company develops, produces, and commercializes natural extracts derived primarily from brown and red seaweeds, with a core product portfolio spanning VIVAPUR® alginates, carrageenans, agri-ingredients (seaweed-based biostimulants), cosmetic raw materials, and specialty seaweed extracts with bioactive properties. Underlying technology combines proprietary eco-friendly extraction processes that limit chemical use and reduce CO2 emissions with a biorefinery approach that co-extracts alginate and fucoidans and maximizes biomass utilization beyond the 10-40% range typical of traditional extraction.

The company operates as a B2B ingredient supplier serving enterprise customers across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agriculture, and emerging nutraceutical and bio-based materials verticals. Revenue is generated through direct ingredient sales, quote-based enterprise pricing, and ancillary R&D services (biomass valorization, biochemical analyses, and bioactivity measurement). Commercial reach extends across all continents through the JRS J. Rettenmaier & Söhne Group distribution network, a strategic alliance with Gelymar for Chilean seaweed sourcing and carrageenan distribution, and direct customer engagement.

Algaia joined the JRS Group in 2023, providing parent-company financial backing and global sales infrastructure. The company maintains active participation in five EU-funded research consortia (SeaMark, LOCALITY, Algae4IBD, TexMaTer, ActivAlgues) and recently launched an industrial transformation program including a new extraction facility scheduled for January 2026 completion, signaling capacity expansion. Key certifications include ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, and EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability.

Name

Algaia

Legal name

Algaia

Website

https://algaia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Algaia is a French seaweed biorefinery that develops and produces natural extracts — alginates, carrageenans, biostimulants, and specialty bioactive ingredients — for enterprise customers in food, agriculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors, with global distribution via the JRS Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seaweed-based natural ingredients / specialty food and agricultural ingredients

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Agar, Carrageenan & Alginates (Seaweed Hydrocolloids) (AFAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts) (AFAJAKAD), Biostimulant-Enhanced Fertilizers (Humic/Fulvic, Amino Acids, Seaweed Blends) (AFABACAK), Natural Extracts & Botanical Concentrates for Beverages (herbal, spice, aromatic extracts) (AFAFAGAJ)

Keywords

• Seaweed extracts
• Algae biorefining
• Alginate ingredients
• Plant biostimulants
• Cosmetic raw materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Lannilis

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Seaweed ingredients sales: Sale of texturizing solutions including alginates, carrageenans, and specialty seaweed extracts to food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and agricultural industries. Products include VIVAPUR® alginate and carrageenan-based solutions like ALGOGEL™ RPE 4031
2. Agri-ingredients: Seaweed-based biostimulants and agricultural ingredients for crop improvement and sustainable farming
3. Cosmetic raw materials: Specialty seaweed extracts and bioactive compounds for personal care and cosmetic formulations
4. Algaia Services: R&D services including specialty seaweed extracts development, biomass valorization, biochemical analyses, and bioactivity measurement for customers and partners

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Algaia develops, produces, and commercializes natural extracts derived primarily from brown and red seaweed, including alginates (VIVAPUR®), carrageenans, plant biostimulants for agriculture, cosmetic raw materials, and specialty bioactive extracts for health/nutraceutical applications. The company also sells formulated functional systems (custom blends) and offers paid R&D services covering biomass valorization, biochemical analyses, and bioactivity measurement for industrial customers.

Product overview

Algaia is a seaweed extract company offering a portfolio of texturizing solutions and specialty ingredients derived from brown and red seaweeds. The core product line includes VIVAPUR® Alginates (gelling/thickening agents), Carrageenans (sulfated polysaccharides), and Agri-ingredients (plant biostimulants). Specialty offerings encompass cosmetic raw materials and specialty seaweed extracts focused on bioactive compounds for health applications. The company also provides functional systems (custom blends) and R&D services including biomass valorization, biochemical analyses, and bioactivity measurement. Products serve food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and nutraceutical industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIVAPUR®: Brand for alginate products including VIVAPUR® FDG 3001 for vegan gummies and VIVAPUR® FB system for bakery applications.
• ALGOGEL™

Products and services

• VIVAPUR® Alginates Texturizing alginate products derived from brown seaweed, used as gelling agents, thickeners, and stabilizers in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. The VIVAPUR® range addresses clean-label, vegan, and plant-based formulation needs, including bake-stable fillings and dairy-alternative systems.
• Carraghénanes (Carrageenans) Sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed, used as gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agents in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Supplied globally through the Gelymar distribution agreement renewed in 2024.
• Agri-ingredients (Biostimulants) Seaweed-based agricultural ingredients and plant biostimulants that improve crop resilience, nutrient efficiency, soil health, drought resistance, and crop yields. Serve agricultural input companies and aquaculture feed producers.
• Cosmetic Raw Materials Specialty seaweed extracts and ingredients for cosmetic and personal care formulations, providing thickeners, gelling agents, and bioactive compounds with photoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunostimulative properties.
• Specialty Seaweed Extracts High-value algal ingredients focusing on healthy lipids, proteins, pigments, and micronutrients with photoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunostimulative properties for agro-nutrition, personal care, and nutraceutical industries.
• ALGOGEL™ RPE 4031 Carrageenan-based solution designed for non-gelatin soft capsules, suitable for vegetarian and religious preferences with high thermal resistance and 3+ year shelf life. Targeted at softgel capsule manufacturers seeking gelatin-free alternatives.
• VIVAPUR® FDG 3001 Alginate product specifically designed for creating vegan gummy textures with clean bite and pleasant mouthfeel as an alternative to gelatin, targeting vegan/natural food manufacturers.
• Functional Systems Customized blend solutions combining texturizing agents (alginates, pectins, starches) for specific food applications including bakery fillings and vegan alternatives.
• Co-products Valorized by-products from seaweed processing including algae-based ingredients for agriculture and other applications, supporting the biorefinery approach to maximize biomass utilization.
• Algaia Services (R&D and Specialty Extract Services) Paid R&D services including specialty seaweed extracts development, biomass valorization, biochemical analyses, and bioactivity measurement for customers and partners. Contactable via [email protected].

Quantifiable outcome

• Laminaria digitata extract demonstrated improved leaf meristem protection under drought conditions and enhanced nitrogen uptake after rehydration through hormesis-based chemical priming in Lolium perenne
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dielen LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Research partnership for ActivAlgues project (€2.8M total budget, €1.7M from France 2030) developing new algae-based health active ingredients bridging dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. Dielen brings unique expertise in marine bioactivity.
• North Sea FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Algaia is a key partner in the North Sea Farm 1 project, the world's first commercial seaweed farm located between offshore wind turbines in the North Sea. Algaia brings expertise in transforming seaweed into valuable, eco-friendly solutions. The project is backed by Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund.
• Plymouth Marine LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Scientific partner analyzing the farm's environmental impact—tracking carbon absorption, biodiversity, and potential for large-scale adoption in the North Sea Farm 1 project.
• GelymarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Strategic alliance providing unique access to over 4,500 km of Chilean coast and cold/pure water for the richest algal biodiversity. Distribution agreement renewed in 2024 for carrageenans in the food business, building upon successful partnership initiated by Algaia in 2015. Gelymar is Algaia's Chilean partner for seaweed sourcing and product distribution.
• DeltaresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner analyzing environmental impact of North Sea Farm 1, including carbon absorption, biodiversity monitoring, and scalability assessment.
• Silvestrum Climate AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner conducting environmental impact analysis for North Sea Farm 1 project, focusing on climate-related metrics and adoption potential.
• University of LillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in ActivAlgues project bringing scientific complementarity to develop algae-based health active ingredients.
• Institut Pasteur de LillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ActivAlgues project contributing scientific expertise to algae-based health ingredient development.
• Teagasc Food Research CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in Algae4IBD EU project developing food products containing bioactive algae compounds. Teagasc developed pesto, brownies, chocolate and butter prototypes with algae extracts, and hosts the Algae for Health and Food Summit.
• Ocean RainforestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of SeaMark European project focusing on seaweed biorefinery. Ocean Rainforest leads the 25-partner consortium developing innovative, sustainable seaweed solutions across food, feed, materials, and cosmetics.
• SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting partner for 3rd Annual SeaMark Meeting in Normandy, supporting cross-sector collaboration for blue economy development.
• LOCALITY Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project (Horizon Europe) focusing on circular use of algal biomass in food, aquafeed, plant biostimulants, biocontrols, and textile dyes. Algaia leads the work package on algae-based agricultural products.
• Algae4IBD ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project developing functional food and medication against pain, inflammation, and IBD using algae extracts. Algaia contributes to developing algae-based ingredients for dietary supplements and presenting at consortium meetings.
• TexMaTer ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner17-partner European project creating new cellulosic fibers and bioformulations for textile finishes using underutilized biomass resources. Algaia leads Work Package 1 on agricultural and algal biomass production and processing.
• ZeefierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner developing organic algae-based silk and textiles, featured during North Sea Farmers visit to Algaia Saint-Lô facility showcasing innovative applications.
• SEAWOODminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner developing bio-based, wood-like material from seaweed, demonstrating innovative applications presented during Algaia facility tour.
• Cluster Algues BretagnemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional industry cluster for Breton seaweed. Frédéric Faure, CEO of Algaia, serves as Treasurer. Cluster supported the National Roadmap for Development of Algae Industry presented by French Minister.
• Normandie Filière AlguesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional seaweed industry association in Normandy with 29 members. Algaia participates in the association's activities and hosted first General Assembly at Saint-Lô Agglo facilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CP Kelco: CP Kelco is one of the world's leading producers of alginates and other hydrocolloids, directly competing with Algaia in alginate supply for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. It is the most direct comparable in alginate chemistry.
• CEAMSA: CEAMSA is a Spanish manufacturer specializing in alginates and carrageenans derived from seaweed, directly competing with Algaia in the European texturizing ingredient market across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
• Acadian Seaplants: Acadian Seaplants is a Canadian leader in seaweed-based biostimulants and extracts for agriculture, food, and cosmetics — directly comparable to Algaia's agri-ingredients and specialty extracts portfolio with a similar ingredient-supply business model.
• Biolchim SpA: Biolchim is an Italian specialty fertilizer and biostimulant producer, explicitly listed alongside Algaia as a key player in the global seaweed extracts market. It competes directly in agricultural biostimulants and specialty plant nutrition.

Broad incumbents

• Cargill: Cargill previously owned an alginate business that Algaia acquired in 2016. As one of the world's largest agricultural and food ingredient companies, Cargill remains a broader incumbent competing across alginate-adjacent ingredient markets.
• Kerry Group: Kerry Group is a global taste and nutrition company with extensive food ingredient capabilities, competing with Algaia across clean-label and plant-based ingredient applications for major food and beverage manufacturers.
• Tate & Lyle: Tate & Lyle is a global food ingredient specialist with a strong texturizing and clean-label portfolio that overlaps with Algaia's alginate and carrageenan offering. As a much larger public company, it serves as a relevant scale comparable for the food texturizing segment.
• Ingredion: Ingredion is a major global ingredient supplier specializing in plant-based texturizing solutions, directly competing with Algaia's VIVAPUR® alginate systems across food, beverage, and personal care applications at significant scale.
• Groupe Roullier: Groupe Roullier is explicitly named as a key player in the global seaweed extracts market. The French family-owned group has a strong presence in agricultural biostimulants and specialty plant nutrition, making it a comparable broad-incumbent peer in Algaia's agri-ingredients segment.
• DuPont (IFF Health & BioSciences): DuPont is explicitly listed alongside Algaia as a key player in the global seaweed extracts market. As a large diversified ingredient and bioscience conglomerate, it competes broadly across multiple of Algaia's target segments including food, cosmetics, and specialty ingredients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkUYw6SydPAAufchSICUAdQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Algaia-100280101781513
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/algaia
• Instagraminstagram.com/algaia.seaweed.extracts

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Algaia