Fremantle Seaweed has secured a FutureFeed licence to supply its Asparagopsis-based feed supplement, Reef4Beef, to cattle producers across Australia. The licence provides access to intellectual property developed by CSIRO and held by FutureFeed for the use of the seaweed as a livestock feed ingredient. It moves the Western Australian company closer to commercialising a product that can reduce ruminant methane emissions by as much as 80 percent.
A Licence Built on Credible Science
FutureFeed was established by CSIRO and holds global intellectual property for the use of Asparagopsis seaweed as a livestock feed ingredient. The agreement allows Fremantle Seaweed to sell Reef4Beef to dairy and feedlot operators in Australia's beef cattle farming industry, which is valued at $26.2 billion. A rigorous quality assurance program will support the product's supply on specification and verification to farmers.
Integrated Production Capacity
Fremantle Seaweed recently acquired Western Australia's first commercial-scale Asparagopsis hatchery and processing facility at 20 Mews Road in Fremantle. The company already operates a 32-hectare farm at Derbal Nara in Cockburn Sound and has proposed a 160-hectare marine lease. These assets are expected to form the largest integrated Asparagopsis supply chain in Western Australia, covering propagation, ocean cultivation, and commercial sale.
Production Targets and Market Reach
At present, the existing farm can supply its supplement to roughly 4,500 head of cattle, while Australia's national herd numbers around 29 million. The company expects its first two planned ocean farms to produce up to 576 tonnes of Reef4Beef annually, sufficient for about 25,000 head. It plans to serve the Western Australian feedlot sector first, with grass-fed cattle outside feedlots remaining a longer-term challenge.
Funding and Carbon Market Incentives
Fremantle Seaweed has raised $4 million in seed funding and secured a $4 million grant from the Western Australian Government's Investment Attraction Fund. A federal methodology expected to arrive in early 2028 would allow cattle farmers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units for using feed supplements such as Asparagopsis. Founder Chris De Cuyper said the carbon value could attract corporate buyers and capital during the difficult pre-scale-up phase often called the valley of death.
Farmers Need Practical Tools
De Cuyper emphasised that farmers need practical ways to reduce methane without fundamentally changing how they operate. Reef4Beef is designed to integrate into existing feeding systems, providing producers with access to an Australian-grown and scientifically verified solution. This approach aims to lower the barrier to adoption in an industry where operational continuity and cost effectiveness are critical.
Commercialisation and Industry Outlook
With the licence and processing facility now in place, Fremantle Seaweed can begin working toward commercial supply across Australia. FutureFeed CEO Alex Baker said the company's investment in production infrastructure would help more livestock producers access high-quality Asparagopsis products as demand grows. The development supports low-emissions cattle farming without requiring farmers to fundamentally change their existing feeding systems.
The FutureFeed licence is a significant milestone for Fremantle Seaweed as it moves from research and demonstration toward commercial sales. Its integrated production model, government support, and access to emerging carbon markets provide a foundation for scaling. The company's progress will be an important indicator of whether Australian-grown Asparagopsis can become a practical and commercially viable methane reduction tool for cattle producers across the country.
Source: Capitalbrief.com