Introducing ISEA: value added organic seaweed production from Iceland
2026-02-03
For ISEA, seaweed production is built on the combination of natural abundance and industrial precision. Based in Stykkishólmur on the west coast of Iceland, ISEA produces sustainably sourced Icelandic seaweed and kelp using EU organic certified own developed harvesting and processing methods, powered by geothermal heat and green electricity.
ISEA operates as a seaweed producer with a clear focus on value added applications. Its vision is centred on organic certified production from sustainably sourced seaweed and kelp, utilising Iceland’s pristine marine environment and renewable energy infrastructure.
The company is led by Sigurður (Siggi) Pétursson, an experienced entrepreneur with a long background in environmentally responsible seafood production and aquaculture. In addition to his role at ISEA, Sigurður also serves as President of the Icelandic Algae Association, representing both macroalgae and microalgae stakeholders.
Iceland as a production environment
While Iceland is often perceived as a large seaweed producing country, actual macroalgae harvesting volumes remain modest at around 15 to 20 thousand tonnes per year. The strength of Iceland lies not in scale, but in it unique conditions and natural resources.
ISEA is located at the south part of Breidafjordur, the vast shallow bay between West and Northwest Iceland, is often called “the food basket of Iceland” because of its extraordinary natural productivity, shaped by three rare advantages working together. Where great difference between high and low tide, good currents, low sea temperatures, and long summer days generate in the shallow long growth areas the richest seaweed and kelp beds in Europe. As there is a short distance to these macroalgae beds then ISEA can harvest all the year fresh seaweed and kelp even if the hard winter days can make it a challenging task.
Cold and pristine waters, strong currents, large tidal differences and extensive brown seaweed beds form the ecological foundation. On the industrial side, access to green electricity and geothermal heat enables energy intensive processing with a very low environmental footprint. This combination allows ISEA to produce high quality seaweed ingredients under tightly controlled conditions.
Sustainable sourcing and certified harvesting
ISEA’s production is primarily based on Ascophyllum nodosum, harvested from EU organic certified harvesting grounds under formalised regulation and licensing. Harvesting volumes represent only a small fraction of the available biomass, ensuring long term ecological balance and making Iceland one of the most conservative harvesting environments globally.
In addition to Ascophyllum nodosum, ISEA can supply Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, Fucus vesiculosus and Palmaria palmata. Species selection depends on customer requirements and targeted applications, ranging from agriculture and animal feed to food, cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
Controlled processing and biorefinery approach
ISEA operates a fully traceable production setup that follows the seaweed from harvesting to final packaging. Harvested seaweed is landed within the same day from the cold sea, separated by harvesting area and placed in closed containers. While this is not common practice in the industry, it plays a key role in preserving quality.
Processing includes reception and pre cutting, pre drying, final drying, milling and grading, and packaging. Final drying takes place in a fully closed and vacuum controlled system using geothermal heat and green electricity. Core temperatures remain under 40 degrees Celsius, preserving natural nutrients and bioactive compounds.
This approach results in high quality dried EU organic certified milled seaweed suitable for a wide range of applications, including biostimulants, animal feed, human consumption, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, bioplastics and textiles.
Alongside dried products, ISEA is expanding its wet processing capabilities, producing organic certified biostimulants from both fresh and dried seaweed as part of its biorefinery strategy.
Partnerships and value creation
ISEA works in partnership with a leading European producer and marketer of biostimulants based on Leonardite and brown seaweed. Through this collaboration, ISEA positions itself as a supplier of organic certified, high quality seaweed inputs for agricultural applications.
While ISEA can act as a raw material supplier, the company’s strategic direction is clearly focused on value added processing and product development, rather than volume driven commodity supply.
A market-oriented perspective
Drawing on experience from the seafood sector, Sigurður highlights that one of the main challenges in the European seaweed industry is not production capacity but market structure. Compared to seafood, seaweed lacks clear specifications, shared standards and established routes to market.
ISEA therefore strongly supports initiatives that focus on market development, cooperation and practical application. By positioning seaweed as a functional ingredient rather than an abstract sustainable resource, the company aims to accelerate adoption across food, feed and agricultural markets.
Looking ahead
As a member of the European Seaweed Association, ISEA brings deep expertise in sustainable wild harvesting, EU organic certified production and renewable energy powered processing. With its biorefinery approach and strong focus on value creation, the company aims to contribute to a more mature, market oriented and resilient European seaweed industry.
For ESWA members, ISEA offers collaboration opportunities across sourcing, processing and product development, grounded in Iceland’s unique natural resources and a clear vision for value added seaweed utilisation.
