Australia: Marinova Triples Manufacturing Capacity in Response to “Rapidly Increasing” Global Demand for Fucoidan – vegconomist

Marinova, an Australian biotech focused on the research, development and production of of high purity fucoidan compounds (for information on this ingredient see below), recently completed an AUD $5 million expansion to its state-of-the-art fucoidan extraction facility.

Marinova says it supplies fucoidan extracts to leading nutritional and personal care brands in more than 35 countries and that the ingredient is particularly popular in formulations targeting immune support, gut and digestive health, and healthy aging. The company produces Maritech® organic fucoidan, which it claims is the world’s only high-purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance.

“Marinova’s branded Maritech® range is the world’s only high purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance,” says CEO Paul Garrott. “Natural, clinically proven and sustainably sourced, they are ingredients synonymous with quality.”

Australia’s growing marine biotech sector

Global demand for functional marine ingredients such as fucoidan continues to rise, largely driven by consumer interest in natural extracts with sustainable origins, according to the company. Projections indicate that Australia’s premium marine bioproducts are on course to achieve a turnover of $1 billion by 2030.

In light of this growing demand, Australia is ramping up its efforts to boost the innovative marine biotechnology sector with significant investments. The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC) is spearheading this push, channeling over $270 million into research and development, with a portion of these funds allocated to Marinova’s global fucoidan research program forward.

Garrott explains, “The expansion of Marinova’s fucoidan extraction facility, including the commissioning of new advanced manufacturing technologies, represents a tripling of the company’s production capacity. This significant capital investment will enable Marinova to meet rising global demand for its high purity fucoidan extracts, particularly from the consumer healthcare, medical device and pharmaceutical sectors.”

An introduction to the marine ingredient fucoidan

Fucoidans are long-chain polysaccharides found in brown seaweeds. Their role in nature is to protect the seaweed from environmental challenges, including water-borne pathogens and exposure to UV light. In addition to the natural benefits they provide for the seaweed, more than 3,500 scientific studies now attest to the bioactivity of fucoidans across a range of human health settings.

High-purity, certified organic fucoidans have been clinically tested and are increasingly popular inclusions in science-based formulations supporting digestive health, immune function and healthy aging, and have received global regulatory approvals including EU Novel Foods Approval and FDA-notified GRAS.

Fucoidans are typically supplied as dry powder, have a five-year shelf life, and are water-soluble. In addition to inclusion in pressed tablets and capsules, fucoidans are well suited to functional foods and beverages, including bulk supplement powders. They can be utilised as stand-alone bioactives or easily incorporated with other ingredients into vegan, kosher, and halal products.

For further details visit www.maritechfucoidan.com.au