Fremantle Seaweed buys FutureFeed’s onshore Asparagopsis technology

Western Australian seaweed producer Fremantle Seaweed has acquired FutureFeed’s onshore nursery and production capability as it pushes toward commercial-scale Asparagopsis supply. The company now targets first sales in 2027 as it adds land-based cultivation to its existing open-ocean operations.

Why it matters: - Fremantle Seaweed is trying to move from pilot cultivation to commercial supply of Asparagopsis for cattle feed. - The company says broader production capacity could help meet demand for seaweed-based feed ingredients designed to cut methane emissions from ruminants by 80% or more. - The acquisition gives Fremantle Seaweed dual capability across both major life stages of Asparagopsis, which could improve supply reliability.

What happened: - Fremantle Seaweed acquired onshore nursery and seaweed production technology and equipment from FutureFeed. - The deal adds onshore cultivation to Fremantle Seaweed’s open-ocean growing operations. - Fremantle Seaweed now targets first sales in 2027. - The company is based in Western Australia and focuses on Asparagopsis seaweed for feed applications.

The details: - The acquired technology supports onshore cultivation of the tetrasporophyte phase of Asparagopsis. - Fremantle Seaweed already grows the gametophyte phase in the open ocean. - The company says the onshore approach uses prefabricated tanks, which lowers upfront costs compared with recirculating aquaculture systems. - Fremantle Seaweed says the tank layout reduces footprint and contamination controls lower operating costs. - FutureFeed is the CSIRO-established company that holds the global intellectual property for Asparagopsis as a feed ingredient. - Fremantle Seaweed has been a cultivation partner of FutureFeed since March 2025. - Fremantle Seaweed bought the ocean-backed facility at 20 Mews Road in Fremantle in April, backed by a $4 million grant from the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund. - The company has cultivated Asparagopsis at Cockburn Sound in Western Australia since 2023. - Fremantle Seaweed has secured $4 million in seed funding and another $4 million from the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund.

Between the lines: - The purchase suggests Fremantle Seaweed is shifting from research and cultivation toward a more integrated production model. - FutureFeed appears to be handing off more of the commercialization effort while retaining its role in the core intellectual property and science base. - The move reflects growing pressure on Asparagopsis producers to deliver a consistent, farm-ready supply chain rather than just prove the concept. - Chris De Cuyper, Fremantle Seaweed’s CEO and founder, said the company is focused on turning five years of technology development and cultivation experience into a reliable supply that farmers can adopt at scale. - Alex Baker, FutureFeed’s CEO, said the cultivation capability is moving into Fremantle Seaweed’s hands as the company takes production to the next stage.

What's next: - Fremantle Seaweed plans to scale production to reach commercial supply in 2027. - The company says it will use the new capability to grow both phases of Asparagopsis at scale. - Fremantle Seaweed will keep working toward a seaweed-based feed product that cattle producers can use in practical and affordable ways. - The company’s next milestone is turning its existing cultivation experience into dependable output for farmers and feed customers.

The bottom line: - Fremantle Seaweed is moving one step closer to commercializing Asparagopsis by bringing onshore production in-house and targeting first sales in 2027.