Sugar kelp in port ©KOASTAL

Swedish Startup KOASTAL Pioneers Sustainable Seaweed Farming Through Innovative Franchise Model

SWEDEN
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

With EU backing, the company is transforming sugar kelp cultivation on Sweden's west coast, empowering fishers to diversify income and creating a reliable supply chain for a growing market.

GOTHENBURG – An innovative business model for large-scale sustainable sugar kelp cultivation is taking root on the west coast of Sweden, thanks to the Swedish startup KOASTAL and crucial support from the European Union. KOASTAL is developing a unique franchise concept designed to empower small-scale players, including local fishers, by providing comprehensive assistance ranging from permits and equipment to training and a guaranteed purchase of their harvest.

The brainchild of Samuel Amant, KOASTAL evolved from his master's project focused on promoting sustainable seaweed farming. What began as an academic idea has blossomed into a company with six operational farms and ten permits for seaweed aquaculture, actively shaping the future of the industry.

KOASTAL's franchise model is specifically designed to dismantle the significant entry barriers often faced by fishers and other individuals interested in seaweed farming. The company offers end-to-end support, covering farm setup, securing necessary permits, providing equipment and seedlings, and establishing reliable market channels, including a crucial buy-back guarantee for the cultivated crops. Franchisees then operate the seaweed farms, leveraging KOASTAL's guidance to optimize production.

The overarching vision for KOASTAL is to firmly integrate seaweed farming into the broader seafood value chain. This model allows fishers to utilize their existing infrastructure and knowledge to diversify their income, particularly during the winter and early spring months when the seaweed harvest occurs. Simultaneously, KOASTAL's expanding network of farms ensures a consistent and high-quality supply of seaweed for large-scale buyers, mitigating production risks through a distributed network.

Photo:©KOASTAL

Overcoming Challenges with a Novel Approach

Introducing seaweed farming as a franchise concept is innovative for Sweden and a new endeavor for many fishers, necessitating a strong focus on building trust and demonstrating profitability. KOASTAL has invested considerable effort into pilot farms to showcase the financial viability of the model.

<-- Samuel and the sugar kelp ©KOASTAL

Another significant challenge in seaweed farming lies in the production cost relative to market prices and the pronounced seasonality, with harvest occurring only a few weeks a year. To ensure profitability, efficient logistics and market chains are essential. The KOASTAL model addresses this by integrating fishers' existing infrastructure, thereby reducing costs, and establishing a robust network of farms that facilitates an efficient overall production system.

"This is where we come in. Through our concept, we can reduce costs and simplify the process for growers, while at the same time building a stable market for seaweed harvesters," explains Samuel Amant.

EU Support Propels Growth

The European Union's funding has been instrumental, specifically earmarked for developing technical solutions, building a digital platform for farmer support, and establishing initial pilot farms along the Swedish West Coast. Three years into the project, six pilot farms are fully operational, and a comprehensive digital platform offering guides, training, and logistics solutions for franchisees has been successfully developed.

Photo: ©KOASTAL

The pilot project is scheduled to run until the end of 2025, and KOASTAL remains confident about its future, with plans already in motion for further expansion. "The first cultivations show that we can produce high-quality seaweed in a sustainable way. Now it's about scaling up and getting more people to dare to invest," says Amant. The innovative franchise model is already being transferred to other regions of Sweden, with new partners joining the initiative, signaling further development on the horizon for sustainable seaweed aquaculture.

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