Seaweed Square opens at World Horti Center

2026-10-30

On 25 October, Meindert Stolk, Regional Minister of the Province of South Holland, officially opened Seaweed Square at the World Horti Center. The initiative explores whether Dutch greenhouse expertise can help make seaweed cultivation commercially viable.

The Netherlands is a global leader in greenhouse horticulture. Decades of innovation in climate control, cultivation systems and efficient production have made the Dutch sector a benchmark worldwide. Seaweed Square poses a simple but promising question: what if we applied this knowledge and technology to growing seaweed?

A new opportunity for growers

Seaweed is gaining attention as a versatile and sustainable raw material, but scaling up cultivation in a commercially viable way remains a challenge. The efficiency and innovative strength of Dutch horticulture could offer part of the answer. Greenhouse cultivation may also open up new business opportunities for growers looking to diversify.

Seaweed Square is a first step towards inspiring growers and other stakeholders to explore these possibilities. At the same time, it showcases the wide range of applications for seaweed, from food and packaging to textiles.

Next steps

In the coming period, the European Seaweed Association (ESWA) will work with partners and members, including Seaweedland, to explore what is needed to make greenhouse seaweed cultivation a success.

Over the coming year, Susanne Mosmans will act as project coordinator, bringing together people, ideas and opportunities to move the initiative forward. [Optional: add contact details for growers or stakeholders who would like to get involved.]

A joint effort

Seaweed Square was made possible through a consortium of partners: World Horti Center, the Province of South Holland, Greenport West-Holland, Rabobank and the European Seaweed Association (ESWA).