{"id":53373,"date":"2026-01-21T16:22:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/?p=53373"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:40:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T10:40:39","slug":"mobi-aims-to-take-seaweed-from-sea-to-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/en\/news\/mobi-aims-to-take-seaweed-from-sea-to-building","title":{"rendered":"MOBI Aims to Take Seaweed from Sea to Building"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In what may be Axfoundation\u2019s fastest innovation sprint to date, MOBI proposes an answer to the question that sparked the project: Can seaweed help reduce the construction industry\u2019s climate impact? The collaboration has established a value chain from sea to building and developed a moldable material made with seaweed. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The MOBI material has been developed and tested in several different forms and components.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Within construction and interior design, wood, concrete, and fossil-based materials dominate \u2013 resulting in significant climate emissions. Bio-based materials may be a key part of the solution, and this is where seaweed comes in: an underutilized Nordic, regenerative raw material with strong potential.<\/p>\n

To explore algae-based materials that could replace plastics, wood, and metals in the construction industry, the project MOBI \u2013 Moldable Ocean Biomass for Industry<\/a> \u2013 was established in early summer 2025, bringing together specialists from Sweden, Norway, and Finland. A Nordic value chain was assembled to understand what it takes to turn seaweed into a viable building material. And, to identify what application would be a great introduction for the MOBI material to the building market.<\/p>\n

Seaweed has the potential to drive the construction and interior design sectors toward a circular, bio-based future.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Amelie Silfverstolpe, Project Manager for Future Materials at Axfoundation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Saving forests and cleaning the seas<\/h4>\n

Axfoundation\u2019s Amelie Silfverstolpe has led the MOBI project and been responsible for testing the MOBI material at Tors\u00e5ker Farm<\/a>, Axfoundation\u2019s development center for future food and materials. Amelie highlights several advantages of this ocean-based super resource.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Seaweed has the potential to drive the construction and interior design sectors toward a circular, bio-based future. It is a fast-growing, regenerative crop that requires no land, no fertilizers, and helps clean the oceans by absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus, says Amelie Silfverstolpe, Project Manager for Future Materials at Axfoundation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Sugar kelp is cultivated on lines in open waters along the west coast of Sweden. Photo: Nordic SeaFarm<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Building a value chain from seafarming to manufacturing<\/h4>\n

Seaweed is a relatively new raw material source, and there is no established production technology, infrastructure, or market demand for algae-based building materials. MOBI consortium has addressed these gaps by establishing a value chain \u2013 from cultivation and processing to material development and the design of construction components. The ultimate goal is to generate market interest in seaweed-based materials.<\/p>\n

At Sn\u00f8hetta Product Design, we\u2019ve always been intrigued by the potential of emerging materials and technologies, especially when they support our ambition to design for the future.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Marius Myking, Director of Product Design at Sn\u00f8hetta.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The MOBI project consortium brings together partners, each playing a critical role in the value chain. Axfoundation (Sweden) are leading the greater Swedish Seaweed Initiative that aims to bridge the various stakeholders and policy actors to enable scaling seaweed biomass. Manatee Biomaterials<\/a> (Sweden), a joint venture between Nordic Seafarm<\/a> and Future Lab and Partners<\/a>, is responsible for the upstream supplying and refining of the seaweed raw material. Arkio Industries<\/a> (Finland) handles the manufacturing and production phase, utilizing its specialized molding technology to create resin free natural composites. The design and commercial application fit are led by Sn\u00f8hetta<\/a> (Norway), which has identified a commercial partner for taking the moldable seaweed to market. NOWN<\/a> (Holland) is a design and manufacturing company specializing in wall and ceiling systems, where strong architectural design is combined with ease of installation and opportunities for reuse.<\/p>\n

\u2013 At Sn\u00f8hetta Product Design, we\u2019ve always been intrigued by the potential of emerging materials and technologies, especially when they support our ambition to design for the future. Within the MOBI collaboration, developing a proof of concept is a critical step and perhaps where our core expertise contributes the most. It allows us to identify market opportunities we can design for and test how seaweed-based composites can meet real-world demands, not only as sustainable alternatives, but as materials with expressive potential in architecture and product design, says Marius Myking, Director of Product Design at Sn\u00f8hetta.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Late harvest seaweeds ideal for materials<\/h4>\n

In line with the EU\u2019s food first principle, Manatee Biomaterials uses late-harvest sugar kelp that is not intended for food. The late harvest starts in May when the main harvesting period of the food grade kelp is over. During the late harvest period, the seaweed contains less protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, but more carbohydrates and fibers. This makes it well suited as a raw material for production applications.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A functional fraction, which includes cellulose, is used for producing moldable components. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A strong, light weight resin-free material to the construction industry<\/h4>\n

To define a business case for the MOBI material in the construction sector, the team chose to evaluate whether the material would be economically viable for specific applications. The analysis showed that, thanks to its composition and strength, less mass of seaweed-based material per functional unit was needed to perform the same function as some common building metal alloys, woods, composite woods, and plastics.<\/p>\n

The material is new to the construction industry, therefore an application area with minimal risk was strategically selected as the first introduction of the MOBI material to the market. The application will showcase the MOBI materials formability, lightweight to strength ratio, acoustic properties, and natural fire retardancy, inherent to the seaweed fraction discovered during the innovation sprint.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Potential to reduce emissions at a good price in the construction sector<\/h4>\n

A shared vision for MOBI has been for seaweed-based materials to be cost-effective per functional unit compared to wood and metal components, while delivering comparable performance with a significantly lower climate impact.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cost and performance are key criteria in the project, and have kept us really focused on optimization and iterating until we had an indicative proof of performance. Now, we want to get it out of the lab as soon as possible, says Ville Kokkonen, Co-Founder Arkio Industries.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The project\u2019s ambition is to be the first to introduce a moldable seaweed cellulose product to the building industry.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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So how might it be scaled?<\/h4>\n

The MOBI project demonstrates in this first phase the technology market fit for moldable seaweed as an alternative to metals, woods, and plastics in certain building applications. The next step for the MOBI project is to secure funding to begin pilot production of a full-scale proof of concept. This next phase is intended to validate the material’s performance, confirm market demand, and prove scalability across both the material supply chain and the production process. The project’s ambition is to be the first to introduce a moldable seaweed cellulose product to the building industry, with early orders and commitments being key to unlocking the larger investments required for full-scale production and long-term growth.<\/p>\n

We were both ambitious and careful in identifying how the new seaweed-based material could meet application needs, leading us to a market segment with substantial volumes and low entry risk.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Allon Libermann, Manatee Biomaterials<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Allon Libermann of Manatee Biomaterials sees this as just the beginning.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Establishing Technology Market Fit is where we are in the MOBI project today. We were both ambitious and careful in identifying how the new seaweed-based material could meet application needs, leading us to a market segment with substantial volumes and low entry risk. Let\u2019s just say the MOBI material could hold up a building, but since it\u2019s new we better first commercialize non-loadbaring elements. We\u2019re now positioned for the next phases: Proof of Concept, Pilot Production & Case Study, and finally, Ramp up Production, says Allon Libermann.<\/p>\n

As the project moves into the next phase, Amelie Silfverstolpe highlights the importance of reducing costs through greater efficiency in processing technologies and refinement. She also sees major advantages with the Nordic collaboration, which has built strong momentum and knowledge exchange \u2013 resulting in surprisingly high-quality base materials in a very short time.<\/p>\n

\u2013 We would not have been able to carry out the project without Arkio, Sn\u00f8hetta, and Manatee Biomaterials. With the Nordic collaboration, we have an advantage, as the Nordic region is widely recognized for strong design and leadership in sustainability. This provides credibility for buyers of new technologies and innovative products, concludes Amelie Silfverstolpe of Axfoundation.<\/p>\n

\u2192 Read more: MOBI \u2013 From Coast to Construction<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Glossary<\/h2>\n
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Regenerative –<\/strong> designed to restore, renew, or improve natural systems rather than just reduce harm<\/em>. In short: It gives back more than it takes.<\/p>\n

EU\u2019s food first principle<\/strong> is a core concept in its\u00a0General Food Law<\/a> emphasizing that\u00a0food must be safe, not injurious to health, and fit for consumption<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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