Conference Program

Seagriculture EU
16 - 18 June 2026
Gothenburg, Sweden

Conference Program

The European seaweed industry in transition: survival, scale and real impact

Seagriculture EU 2026 will take place under the theme "The European seaweed industry in transition: survival, scale and real impact".

The European seaweed industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. On one side lies the challenge of survival in a rapidly shifting landscape shaped by evolving markets, tightening regulations, and the realities of climate change. On the other side lies the opportunity to scale sustainably - unlocking the industry’s true potential and creating meaningful, lasting impact. This conference will explore how the sector can navigate the path from promise to practice: addressing barriers to growth, fostering innovation, and shaping a resilient seaweed economy that delivers value to people, planet, and industry alike.

Program is tentative and subject to change.

Site visit to Nordic SeaFarm: Tuesday 16 June 2026

You are invited to an exclusive site visit to Nordic SeaFarm on 16th June. Find out more here.

Conference day 1: Wednesday 17 June 2026

8:00 - 9:00 Welcome Coffee

9:00 - 9:25 Opening of the conference

Session 1: The European seaweed industry in transition: survival, scale and real impact

The European seaweed industry stands at a crossroad — between survival and scaling toward sustainable growth. This session explores how businesses and researchers are navigating market maturity, regulation, and climate impact, and what it takes to turn potential into real, lasting change.

Coffee Break / Trade Show

Session 2: Biostimulants and biomaterials: hype or hoax?

As seaweed-based biostimulants and biomaterials gain attention as green solutions for agriculture and industry, questions arise about their true effectiveness and scalability. This session examines the science behind the claims, the market drivers fueling the hype, and whether these innovations can deliver on their sustainability promise.

Lunch / Trade Show

Session 3: Panel discussion on today’s financial needs for the maturing European seaweed industry

As the European seaweed industry moves from pilot to scale, financing models must evolve to meet new realities. This panel, , explores today’s investment landscape, the role of emerging offtakers platforms, and how collaboration across the value chain can unlock sustainable growth.

Coffee Break / Trade Show

Session 4: Epic fails and honest tales: Mistakes that made us

Failure is an inevitable part of innovation — but it’s rarely discussed openly. In this session, entrepreneurs and researchers share candid stories of what went wrong, what they learned, and how those lessons shaped better science, stronger businesses, and more resilient people.

Closing of the conference day

Conference dinner at Feskekörka - Gothenburg's iconic Fish Church

Conference day 2: Thursday 18 June 2026

8:00 - 9:00 Welcome Coffee

9:00 - 9:15 Opening of the conference day

Session 5: Professionalizing the seaweed industry: learning from pioneers

As the seaweed sector matures, professionalization becomes key to its long-term success. This session brings together pioneers from both within the seaweed industry and from other industries, sharing experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in building robust, scalable, and credible enterprises.

Coffee Break / Trade Show

Session 6: Overview of seaweed projects in EU

Europe hosts a number of projects advancing seaweed cultivation, processing, and product innovation. This session offers an overview of key EU initiatives, highlighting their goals, progress, and the collaborations driving the development of a thriving European seaweed sector.

Lunch / Trade Show

Session 7: Seaweeds for value: carbon capture, biodiversity and beyond

Seaweeds offer more than just commercial potential — they play a vital role in carbon capture, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity enhancement. This session explores how science and industry are unlocking the full environmental and economic value of seaweeds, from climate mitigation to circular innovation.

Coffee Break / Trade Show

Seaweed Elevator Pitches

The Seaweed Elevator Pitches offer a unique, fast-paced, and diverse session where presenters have five minutes to deliver a concise, impactful presentation on their activities and innovative ideas. All topics are possible as long as they deal with seaweeds.

Closing of the conference

*The conference program is subject to change*

Organiser: