Seaweed firm gets EU cash

Britain’s largest seaweed processor – which supplies algae for blockbusters such as Pirates Of The Caribbean and Star Wars – has been awarded £800,000 by Europe to expand.

The Hebridean Seaweed Company Ltd on Lewis supplies markets around the world.

Now it has been given the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund cash towards its new £6.5m factory.

Managing director Martin Macleod said the new production facility will be completed next year and will eventually double the workforce to around 26.

The company manufactures organic seaweed products for use in the animal feed supplement, soil enhancement, alginate, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries, as well as being used on film sets.

Mr Macleod said: “We work with nature, not against it.”