Fremantle Seaweed has acquired onshore nursery and production technology and equipment from FutureFeed, strengthening its path toward commercial supplies of Asparagopsis for cattle feed. The acquisition adds onshore cultivation to the Western Australian company's existing open-ocean operations and brings its first commercial sales target forward to 2027. Asparagopsis is a red seaweed feed ingredient that has been shown to reduce methane emissions from ruminants by more than 80%.
Expanding Cultivation Capabilities
Fremantle Seaweed has cultivated the gametophyte phase of Asparagopsis in the open ocean at Cockburn Sound since 2023. The newly acquired assets cover the tetrasporophyte phase, which is generally grown onshore in tank systems and includes nursery and seaweed production technology. By combining both cultivation methods, the company aims to build a more dependable supply chain as it moves from research and cultivation into commercial production.
Funding and Facility Support
The transaction follows Fremantle Seaweed's purchase of an ocean-backed facility at 20 Mews Road in Fremantle, supported by a grant of A$4 million from the Western Australian Government's Investment Attraction Fund. The company has also raised A$4 million in seed funding, giving it A$8 million in disclosed backing as it develops production. This support is helping the company transition from cultivation and research toward commercial-scale operations.
A Different Onshore Approach
Fremantle Seaweed's onshore approach differs from recirculating aquaculture systems and is designed around prefabricated tanks, a smaller site footprint, and contamination controls intended to lower operating costs. Those features are important because producing seaweed consistently and at scale has been a barrier to wider use of methane-reducing feed products. The combined offshore and onshore model is intended to support the full life cycle of the crop.
Leadership Perspectives
Chris De Cuyper, CEO and Founder of Fremantle Seaweed, said the company began growing seaweed from a boat and is now taking a major step toward commercial production. He noted that the facility gives the company the capability to grow both phases of Asparagopsis at scale and deliver a consistent, commercially viable supply to cattle producers. FutureFeed CEO Alex Baker said the sale places this cultivation capability with a producer focused on taking production to the next stage.
Commercial Targets and Market Demand
Fremantle Seaweed now targets first commercial sales in 2027, an acceleration made possible by the addition of onshore nursery and production assets. The company has worked as a cultivation partner with FutureFeed since March 2025, and FutureFeed, established by CSIRO, holds the global intellectual property for Asparagopsis as a feed ingredient. This collaboration supports the transition from technology development to a producer-led supply model.
Industry Momentum and Next Steps
Interest in Asparagopsis has grown as livestock producers and agricultural supply chains face pressure to cut emissions. Methane from cattle is a major source of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and seaweed-based feed additives are seen as a practical way to reduce enteric methane without changing herd structure. The sector's next phase is likely to depend less on laboratory results and more on whether producers can grow, process, and deliver seaweed in volumes that fit mainstream livestock operations.
Fremantle Seaweed's immediate task is to turn its expanded cultivation base into reliable supply ahead of its 2027 sales target. The acquisition reinforces a broader industry shift from scientific validation toward commercial production and delivery. As one of several Australian companies working with Asparagopsis, Fremantle Seaweed is positioned to help farmers adopt a practical methane-reduction tool without compromising established operations.