Sodium Alginate Manufacturing

Seaweed SNP relies on the meticulous extraction and manufacturing of sodium alginate, one of the most utilized seaweed extracts in the commercial and industrial world.

Sodium Alginate is extracted from naturally occurring seaweed, which is classified into four main groups: Chlorophyceae (green algae); Phaeophyceae (brown algae); Rhodophyceae (red algae); and Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae).

Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae, which live in salt water, fresh water, soil, and on tree trunks, are of interest primarily in food.

Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae, salt water plants available in large quantities, are important commercially because of their polysaccharide content. Polysaccharides are specific to seaweeds and are not found in land plants.

Agar and carageenan are extracted from various types of Rhodophyceae. Algin is derived from Phaeophyceae.

The primary commercial interest in kelp is its algin content, and Phaeophyceae, or brown seaweed, is the main source of algin. Brown seaweed’s growth characteristics make it an ideal raw material for industry because it grows in calm waters and in large, dense beds. The plant is also a perennial and can be harvested more than once a year.

Besides algin, there are other ingredients in kelp, including trace minerals which are valued in food, as a cattle feed supplement, or as fertilizer.

SNP chemists and engineers use Sodium Alginate to create a variety of standard alginate products, specialty alginates, and other chemical formulations.

Contact SNP today to speak to one of our experienced representatives about the uses for Sodium Alginate. Call us at 919-598-0400 or submit an online request form for more information.