According to the World Bank's "2023 Global Seaweed Market Report," seaweed is a powerful climate ally, a form of "blue carbon" in marine and coastal ecosystems that absorbs carbon and supports biodiversity.
The report highlights 10 emerging areas for seaweed applications, such as bioplastics, animal feed, and nutritional supplements.
Most cultivated seaweed is still used for food or aquaculture, with 98% of the global supply coming from a few Asian countries, including South Korea.
As the world's third-largest seaweed producer and largest kelp exporter, South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is creating underwater ecosystems densely populated with seaweed species, known as "sea forests."
Since 2009, South Korea has established over 347 square kilometers of sea forests, currently absorbing approximately 117,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has set a goal to increase South Korea's blue carbon absorption to 1.07 million tons by 2030 and to 1.36 million tons by 2050.
South Korean companies have begun to focus on advancing land-based seaweed cultivation.