Immersion Group is at the forefront of cultivating the methane-busting seaweeds Asparagopsis armata and Asparagopsis taxiformis in WA and Victoria
So what is Asparagopsis?
Asparagopsis armata is a red seaweed native to the cool waters of Australia’s southern coastline. Perfectly adapted to its rugged environment, asparagopsis is nurtured by the strong winds and swell churned up by the Southern Ocean and frequent rock ledges and beaches. It grows for up to 9 months of the year
Indigenous Australians have been using seaweeds for millenia as a building material, clothing, for fishing, shelter, medicinal uses and in ceremonial practices.
Europeans first noticed the potential of Asapragopsis armata in 1855, when a British botanist named Harvey observed the species in abundance during a trip to Western Australia.
Since then it has been documented along Victoria’s coastline from Portland to Gabo Island in Gippsland.
Today Asparagopsis armata and its tropical cousin A. taxiformis are emerging as one of the most important seaweeds on the planet for its potential to reduce carbon emissions from sheep and cattle and boost livestock productivity.
Asparagopsis: A Farmer's Best Friend
Asparagopsis armata and its sister species taxiformis produce high doses of a compound known as bromoform. Bromoform blocks an enzyme that produces gut methane in livestock, particularly cattle and sheep. A recent study from the US found livestock that consume asparagopsis supplement excrete up to 80% less methane.
Red seaweed as a supplement could have a profound impact on our agricultural sector given direct emissions from livestock account for about 10% of Australia’s overall carbon footprint.
Production bump
Asparagopsis has another ace up its sleeve in the form of a production bump for livestock. A farmer named Joe Dorgan from Prince Edward Island in Canada first noticed that cows on his property that grazed seaweed performed better in terms of pregnancy, milk production, weight gain and suffered less from mastitis compared to his cows in the highlands.
Adding scientific weight to farmer Joe’s observations, a controlled study undertaken in an Australian feedlot by the CSIRO found the average daily weight gain for cattle (steers) fed asparagopsis increased between 22-26% over a 90 day period.
Our process: onshore
Immersion Group has developed patented onshore technology for scalable, year-round, high yield cultivation of Asparagopsis.
We are able to achieve significant improvement of yield and productivity rates based on our previous investments in research and development.
Our system is particularly well-suited to the treatment of wastewater streams from industry and water authorities.
Immersion Group offers commercial licencing of our onshore technology via a partnership agreement with our clients.
Our process: offshore
Immersion Group has worked tirelessly to develop and execute leading offshore production technologies for both Asparagopsis armata and Taxiformis.
Immersion Group has established offshore leases on Port Phillip Bay and in Western Australia, including the Abrolhos Islands and Geraldton. Our technology for offshore cultivation has been uniquely refined to suit Australian conditions.
Selling seaweed globally
Immersion Group is one of only five FutureFeed licence holders in Australia and nine globally.
Our licence is an important conduit that allows Immersion Group to sell our products in Australia and Japan. We produce Asparagopsis in both oil emulsion and in freeze-dried format.
Please enquire today for sales orders.
ABC News Coverage
Immersion Group was featured on ABC News in February 2022.
Scott and Henry were able to talk about our expansion plans for Victoria and the seaweed industry in Australia.
Partnerships
Immersion Group is proud to partner with the following organisations as we collaborate to develop the Asparagopsis industry further:
