Bengaluru Startup Founded By IIT Madras Alumni Is Putting Seaweed at the Heart of India’s Energy Future

Seaweed, a diverse group of marine algae, has long been valued for its myriad applications. Beyond its traditional use in culinary dishes, seaweed serves as a stabiliser in products like toothpaste and ice cream, and is utilised in animal feed, fertilisers, and even bioplastics. Its rapid growth rate and ability to sequester carbon make it an environmentally friendly resource with vast potential.

But could this humble marine plant also fuel our vehicles and power our industries? As it turns out, the answer is yes, and an innovative startup based in Bengaluru is making it happen.

A group of IIT Madras alumni- Nelson Vadassery, Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Sri Sailaja Nori, and Sowmya Balendiran founded Sea6 Energy in 2010, aiming to harness seaweed's capabilities for sustainable solutions. Initially focusing on microalgae, which grow up to 2 feet a day, they soon shifted to macroalgae, particularly red seaweeds, due to their scalability and economic viability. 

Sea6 Energy developed a mechanised ocean farming system that enables large-scale cultivation of seaweed, ensuring a consistent and renewable biomass supply.

The surprising way seaweed becomes biofuel

The company has pioneered the conversion of seaweed biomass into biocrude through a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). This method replicates the natural formation of fossil fuels by subjecting wet biomass to high temperatures and pressures, producing biocrude with energy densities comparable to conventional crude oil.

Notably, this process is carbon-neutral, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is offset by the amount absorbed during seaweed growth.

Sea6 Energy's innovations have garnered significant attention and investment. In 2021, the company secured $9 million in funding from Aqua-Spark, a Netherlands-based investment firm, to further develop its seaweed-based technologies.

More recently, in December 2024, Sea6 Energy entered into a partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to jointly research and develop technologies for converting seaweed biomass into biofuels and chemicals. This collaboration aims to bolster India's energy security and contribute to the objectives outlined in the National Biofuel Policy.

What makes seaweed a sustainable alternative

The environmental impact of Sea6 Energy's initiatives is profound. By promoting large-scale seaweed cultivation, they offer an alternative biomass source that doesn't compete with terrestrial agriculture, thereby preserving arable land and freshwater resources. Additionally, seaweed farming enhances marine biodiversity and aids in carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

In essence, Sea6 Energy exemplifies how innovative thinking and sustainable practices can transform an underutilised marine resource into a viable solution for the global energy crisis. By converting seaweed into biofuel, they not only offer an alternative to fossil fuels but also pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Edited by Vidya Gowri.

Sources

Biofuels: Alternative Energy Source: by Sea6 Energy.

'Seaweed to fuel': HPCL, Sea6 Energy sign MoU for sustainable innovation: by The Economic Times, Published on 17 December 2024.