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SeaStock Secures $740K Funding to Scale Sustainable Red Pigment Production

SeaStock

23/10/2025

SeaStock Pty Ltd is pleased to share that we have secured matched co-investment from Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), to advance the development and commercialisation of high-purity, algae-derived ingredients for the food and beverage sector.

FaBA is a $178 million Federal Government initiative designed to bring together leading university researchers and industry partners to accelerate science-led innovation across the food and beverage supply chain. The program is supporting SeaStock’s project, Extraction and Characterisation of Techno-Functional Ingredients from Australian Seaweed, helping us progress key research, regulatory and production milestones.

This support represents an important step in the commercialisation of RUBY SEA™, SeaStock’s naturally derived red pigment (R-phycoerythrin), extracted from sustainably cultivated Asparagopsis algae. RUBY SEA™ offers exciting potential as a clean-label alternative to synthetic colourants in global markets.

The Project will enable SeaStock to:

  • Advance safe, scalable extraction of food-grade RUBY SEA™
  • Explore additional high-value co products
  • Generate data to support Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and international regulatory approvals
  • Progress bench-scale to pilot-scale production for customer validation

Tom Puddy, SeaStock Managing Director said, “This support from FaBA will accelerate our ability to deliver high-purity, naturally derived functional ingredients for the food and beverage sector. It validates the scientific and commercial potential of our circular production model and IP-led strategy. On behalf of SeaStock, I’d like to thank FaBA for their support and belief in the impact potential of algae-based innovation.”

Dr Chris Downs, Director, Food and Beverage Accelerator stated, “We’re proud to invest in SeaStock’s pioneering work in algae-based innovation. Their approach to developing clean-label, functional ingredients aligns strongly with FaBA’s mission to accelerate the growth of Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector through science-led commercialisation. By replacing synthetic additives with natural compounds, SeaStock has the potential to help shape a more sustianable and health-conscious future for consumers.”

SeaStock in the media

SeaStock’s partnership with the Food and Beverage Accelerator has also been covered by leading Australian food and manufacturing publications, highlighting the commercial potential of RubySea™ and SeaStock’s work to develop naturally derived, high-purity ingredients from Australian algae.

Read FaBA’s announcement

Read the Food & Drink Business coverage

Read the Food & Beverage Industry News coverage

john macdonald

Founder & President of Food Security Solutions

John Macdonald is the Founder and President of Food Security Solutions and an experienced international executive with several decades of experience across the agribusiness, food and beverage, protein and food-security sectors.

John has worked extensively across global food systems, helping organisations adopt new technologies, improve productivity and develop more sustainable approaches to food production. Prior to returning to New Zealand and working across global engagements, he was based in the Middle East, where his work included projects with Almarai, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, KAUST University and the Prime Minister’s Office in Dubai.

A significant focus of John's work has been developing commercial solutions around food security, organic waste, circular food systems and the productive reuse of organic materials. His combination of international commercial experience, food-system knowledge and focus on innovation provides SeaStock with valuable insight as the company develops opportunities across agriculture, sustainable protein and global food markets.

Izzi messina

Strategic Advisor to SeaStock

Izzi Messina is an experienced business and industry leader with a career spanning energy, resources, infrastructure and emerging markets. He currently leads Emerging Markets and Partnerships across Asia Pacific for Wood, working across complex opportunities in oil and gas, critical minerals, new energy and the broader energy transition.

Throughout his career, Izzi has worked at the intersection of business development, market strategy, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships, building relationships across industry, government and the wider energy ecosystem. His experience in taking large-scale industrial opportunities from strategy through to commercial development provides SeaStock with valuable expertise as the company expands its technology into global markets.

As Strategic Advisor to SeaStock, Izzi supports stakeholder management and the development of commercial opportunities, with a particular focus on Western Australian innovation and building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. He is passionate about the opportunity for Australian science, infrastructure and natural resources to create high-value industries across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food.

DR Rob Kinley

Discovered the Asparagopsis Methane Effect

Dr Rob Kinley is an internationally recognised agricultural scientist specialising in the environmental and nutritional aspects of livestock and food production. With a background spanning analytical chemistry, soil science, environmental science and animal biology, Rob has dedicated much of his career to developing practical solutions that improve livestock productivity while reducing agriculture’s environmental impact.

During his time as a Senior Research Scientist and project leader with CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Rob played a pioneering role in the research that identified the extraordinary methane-reducing potential of Asparagopsis seaweed in cattle and sheep. His work helped drive the development and commercialisation of the technology that ultimately became FutureFeed, where he went on to serve as Chief Scientist.

Rob has more than three decades of experience across agricultural research, environmental science and livestock systems in Australia and internationally. He has authored and contributed to numerous scientific studies relating to Asparagopsis and enteric methane reduction and is widely recognised as one of the leading scientific voices in the development of seaweed-based solutions for lower-emission livestock production.

DR SANJANA SENTHILKuMaR

Research Scientist

Dr Sanjana Senthilkumar is a Ph.D. graduate of Philosophy in Biosciences and Bioengineering, from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, and holds a Bachelor of Technology in biochemistry from Sathyabama University, in India. During this time Sanjana gained vast research knowledge on plant secondary metabolites and their physiochemical properties. Her nearly decade-long experience spans across plant tissue culture, natural product chemistry, photo-physics, and various analytical techniques. She possesses skill in experimental design, research review, execution, data analysis, and scientific writing. She has led and executed a research entrepreneurship project, which involved design, development, and patenting of an innovative apparatus for use in chemistry laboratories. Additionally, she has undertaken several roles as a trainer, teaching assistant, supervisor, instrument operator, and laboratory demonstrator. Sanjana has been appointed to the position of Research Scientist to support the next phase of the Company’s commercial growth. Tasked specifically with helping establish a scientific approach to developing sustainable and commercially viable biomass growth of macro algae.

Zoe HOpKINSON

Production Technician

In 2023 Zoe completed a Bachelors in Coastal and Marine Science at Curtin University. During her study Zoe also gained work experience as an aquaculture volunteer, including roles with PhD students and Department Primary Industry Resource Development (DPIRD).  In addition Zoe worked at the Geraldton TAFE commercial hatchery, which introduced her knowledge to cultivate Asparagopsis seaweed and aquaculture operations.
Within completing Zoe's degree, she also completed field work studies on fish behaviours and interacted with multiple marine based professionals.  Zoe had access to innovative technology that made her learning & experiences much more immersive and accessible, enabling her to gain experience in technologies, equipment and platforms used within the aquaculture research industry.  Zoe is thrilled to be a part of the Seastock science team, which has further ignited her passion for the ocean and participating in work which will benefit the state of our climate. Working towards a more positive future for all.