Seaweed is a commodity which has uses agriculturally as fertiliser and when applied in industrial environments. In contemporary society, it is most typically used in cosmetics and as a food source, particularly in Asia where seaweed cultivation is a major industry. It is characterised by its superior hydrating, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory qualities.

As a commodity, seaweed has seen incredible economic growth over the past 30 years, with research finding that in Indonesia alone, over 50% of aquaculture production is accounted for by seaweed. Coupled with a sales price of $1000/tonne, the commodity has enabled farmers to stay above the poverty line.

Additionally, the process of farming seaweed is an environmentally friendly practice in itself. This is because seaweed has the potential to clear out pollution from fish farms and efficiently turn sunlight into chemical energy at a rate that is five times greater than land plantations.