Unlocking Algae potential: How Hormuz shipping disruptions create opportunities for Mirco Algae and Seaweeds

Global fertilizer supply chains face increasing pressure from geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges. One critical bottleneck is the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime passage that handles a significant share of the world's oil and gas shipments. Roughly one‑third of the world’s internationally traded fertiliser moves through the Strait of Hormuz. source: unctad

Disruptions here ripple through fertilizer production industries worldwide, which relies heavily on natural gas and oil industries. Currently 3–5% of all global fossil gas consumption is used just to make nitrogen fertilisers, which is why nitrogen is so tightly linked to gas prices.

Algae and seaweed offer promising solutions. They are a very suitable and natural alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilisers produced from gas (methane).

Increased Algae usage as a raw material for fertiliser and biostimulants will help reduce dependency on imports and support the European Union's goal of greater autonomy.

This post explores how algae and seaweed can address current supply chain constraints, their benefits for the EU, and highlights successful case studies demonstrating their potential.

Supply Chain Challenges in the Fertilizer Industry

The fertilizer industry depends heavily on raw materials such as natural gas, phosphate rock, and potash. Many of these inputs are sourced globally, making the supply chain vulnerable to geopolitical events and transportation disruptions.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. It is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with about 20% of the world’s petroleum passing through it daily. Any instability or conflict in this region can delay shipments and increase costs for industries reliant on these resources.

For fertilizer manufacturers, this means:

• Increased costs due to supply delays and price volatility of natural gas and phosphate.

• Risk of shortages impacting agricultural productivity.

• Pressure to find alternative raw materials to ensure steady production.

  
  

These challenges have pushed R&D and innovation managers to seek new, sustainable inputs that can reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains.

The Role of Algae and Seaweed in Fertilizer Production

Algae and seaweed are fast-growing marine plants rich in nutrients essential for plant growth. They can be cultivated in controlled environments or harvested sustainably from natural sources. Their potential as fertilizer ingredients lies in several key properties:

• High nutrient content: Algae contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals needed for healthy crops.

• Bio-stimulant effects: Certain compounds in algae promote plant growth, improve soil health, and increase resistance to pests and diseases.

• Renewable and local sourcing: Algae can be grown near production sites, reducing transportation needs and import dependency.

• Carbon capture: Algae absorb CO2 during growth, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

  
  

By integrating algae and seaweed into fertiliser formulations, manufacturers can create products that are both effective and more sustainable.

Advantages of using algae as biostimulans

Benefit	How Algae/Seaweed Biostimulants Help	Evidence/Quantified Impact
Stress Resilience	Trigger antioxidant enzymes, osmoprotectants, and hormones (e.g., auxins, cytokinins) to protect against drought, salinity, heat, cold, and oxidative damage.	Up to 85% yield protection under stress; improved survival/recovery from heat, frost, drought; 48% higher leaf fructose for photosynthesis under thermal stress. source:
Less Water Needed	Enhance root growth, water retention in soil, and stomatal regulation for better drought tolerance.	Improved water balance; seaweed extracts aid soil conditioning for retention; reduced irrigation needs in veggies/fruits. source:
Higher Yield per Ha	Boost nutrient uptake (N, P, K), root/shoot development, flowering/fruit set, and chlorophyll levels.	85%+ productivity gains; higher germination, biomass, fruit quality/size; field trials confirm yield stability. source:
Less Pesticide Needed	Activate plant defenses (e.g., systemic resistance, antimicrobial peptides) and soil microbes against pathogens/pests.	Reduced biotic stress; lower synthetic pesticide reliance; stimulates beneficial microbiome. source:
Better Soil Recovery	Add organic matter, stimulate microbes, improve aeration/fertility, and enhance N/P homeostasis via miRNAs.	Promotes soil health, nutrient cycling, erosion control; long-term fertility gains. source:
Less Chemicals in Groundwater	Slow-release nutrients reduce leaching; better uptake efficiency lowers excess N/P runoff.	Minimizes groundwater contamination; aligns with sustainable farming by cutting synthetic inputs. Source:

Benefits for the European Union’s Autonomy and Sustainability Goals

The European Union aims to reduce its dependency on imported raw materials and fossil fuels, aligning with the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies. Algae and seaweed cultivation supports these objectives by:

• Enhancing raw material security: Local algae farms can supply nutrients without relying on imports from geopolitically sensitive regions.

• Reducing carbon footprint: Using algae-based ingredients lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fertilizers.

• Supporting circular economy: Algae cultivation can use wastewater or CO2 emissions from nearby industries, turning waste into valuable inputs.

• Creating new economic opportunities: Developing algae farming and processing industries can generate jobs and innovation within the EU.

  
  

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