The Swedish seaweed industry's growth : An Analysis of Key Barriers and Opportunities for Growth in the Swedish Seaweed Industry

This thesis investigates the nascent Swedish seaweed industry, with the aim to identify key obstacles and opportunities related to growth from the perspective of industry stakeholders. Swedish seaweed presents a sustainable alternative resource to challenges related to climate change andfood security. The study employs an inductive qualitative approach, utilizing the Framework Approach and Industry Life Cycle Framework to analyze interview data from industry stakeholders and relate them to previous studies regarding the growth of similar alternative resources such as Quorn. The findings reveal that the Swedish seaweed industry is in its early “introduction phase”, characterized by limited consumer demand and an immature industry infrastructure. Limited awareness of seaweed’s benefits, coupled with a lack of standardized production- and regulatory systems, impedes market acceptance. Furthermore, a clearer role distribution and specialization within the value chain are needed, despite high levels of collaboration in this early stage. The Swedish seaweed industry has the potential to take market shares as food, biomaterial, andother complementary products such as fertilizer and animal feed. By aligning with the sustainability transition, the Swedish seaweed industry is primed to grow, given that the critical obstacles are solved, and opportunities are capitalized upon. The thesis concludes by recommending policy actions, improved customer capture, and stakeholder role specialization. Future research should focus on customer perspectives and market analysis to refine specific strategies for sustainable growth.