Helsinki, Finland – 13.5.2026
The European Investment Bank is appraising a proposed EUR 30 million participation as part of our EUR 65 million blended finance round to build Origin by Ocean’s first industrial-scale biorefinery.
Planned for Kokkola, Finland, the facility is designed to process invasive Sargassum seaweed into high-value ingredients for large global markets, including cosmetics and personal care, food, nutraceuticals, and specialty applications.
The project signals a strong commitment from the European Union to advance novel biorefining technologies within Europe, positioning the region at the forefront of circular, bio-based industries with added value business models. By combining public and private capital, the financing structure reflects a growing momentum behind scalable solutions that convert environmental challenges into industrial opportunities while maximising profitability through performance ingredients.
Unlocking the Full Value of Algae
At the core of Origin by Ocean’s approach is its platform technology, designed to unlock the full molecular potential of algae. By processing invasive seaweed into a wide spectrum of high-value compounds, an abundant, underutilized biomass is transformed into a source of innovation.
The biorefinery platform enables the production of multiple bio-based molecules from a single raw material, with flagship ingredients OceanBoost™ (fucoidan) and OceanThix™ (alginate) leading the way.
Fucoidan is a bioactive compound valued for its functional properties, while alginate is widely used as a high-performance, bio-based material in applications requiring stability, texture, and control.
Origin by Ocean’s ingredients address rapidly growing global markets across cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, and specialty chemicals, where demand for new, high-performance, and sustainable inputs continues to accelerate. By combining scalability with molecular precision, the company is building a new category of ocean-derived materials.
“This sends a strong and important signal from the EU, with a 50% loan share of the total investment. It highlights the EU’s commitment to supporting green transition projects and bringing high value-added production back to Europe.” says Mari Granström, CEO at Origin by Ocean.
“With strong EU backing, we are accelerating the transition from breakthrough science to full-scale production, and opening the door for investors to be part of building the next generation of high performance bio-based materials which compete to become the market leaders in their categories.”
The planned facility in Kokkola, Finland will serve as a first-of-a-kind industrial reference plant, demonstrating both strong commercial viability and environmental impact. It is designed as a launchpad for replication, with future sites envisioned closer to regions heavily affected by Sargassum blooms.
With the full EUR 65 million round now advancing toward closing, Origin by Ocean presents a compelling opportunity for private investors to join a de-risked, EU-supported scale-up at a pivotal stage. The blended finance model not only reduces risk but also accelerates deployment, aligning capital with measurable environmental outcomes.
As global demand grows for sustainable, high-performance ingredients, Origin by Ocean is charting a course where ocean restoration and industrial production move in tandem, transforming excess biomass into a cornerstone of tomorrow’s materials economy.
About Origin by Ocean
Origin by Ocean is a Finland-based regenerative biotechnology company converting invasive algae into high-performance, bio-based ingredients for cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, and materials. Through its patented circular biorefinery technology, the company maximizes biomass utilization to produce high-purity, renewable alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals. By removing harmful algae before it reaches shore, Origin by Ocean restores marine ecosystems while building scalable, sustainable value chains.
*Origin by Ocean is working together with Elomatic advancing the technical maturity of the FOAK plant, de‑risking project execution, and establishing a solid foundation for delivery, financing, and future scale‑up. Image of FOAK provided by Elomatic.