“The potential is enormous – and we’re only starting to tap into it,” said Michael O’Neill, founder of Pure Ocean Algae.
Photo: Pure Ocean Algae / BIM
A marine biotechnology company based in West Cork has launched what it describes as Ireland’s first health supplement range made from native red seaweed, targeting the wellness, beauty and women’s health sectors.
Pure Ocean Algae, which is based on the Beara Peninsula, said its new nutraceutical range has gone to market in Ireland and the UK, with expansion into EU and Asian markets planned later in 2026. The new line includes three capsule-form products: a hair and nail supplement, a cognitive-support product aimed at focus and memory, and a hormone-balance formula.
Pure Ocean Algae was founded in 2019 by Michael O’Neill, an engineer and former commercial fisherman who later turned his attention to sustainable aquaculture. The company has focused on cultivating Palmaria palmata, the red seaweed native to Ireland commonly known as dulse or dillisk.
The company says it has developed Ireland’s first end-to-end production platform for the species, covering hatchery operations, sea growing sites and processing, claiming that this integrated model supports consistent quality and traceability, which are important for nutraceutical applications.
Close-up of the dulse-based products.
Photo: Pure Ocean Algae / BIM
“The red seaweed we cultivate is vastly different from wild-harvested dulse,” O'Neill said. “Because we control every stage of its development, we can enhance its bioactive properties and ensure a clean, consistent ingredient suitable for wellness applications. This is the foundation of our new product range.”
The company said red seaweeds such as dulse are valued for bioactive compounds including proteins and amino acids, minerals such as iodine, magnesium and iron, as well as antioxidants and other micronutrients.
Over the past two years, Pure Ocean Algae has also invested in research and development, including human trials with researchers at the University of Limerick to assess the functional benefits of dulse extracts.
It said early findings related to metabolic and digestive health helped support its move into the wider functional foods and nutraceuticals market.
O’Neill said the commercial opportunity for cultivated Irish seaweed remains significant.
“Ireland’s seaweed farming sector is still in its infancy, but with international demand for marine-derived ingredients across food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements, there is huge potential,” he said.
The company said it has secured private investment to expand its sea sites in West Cork and scale its hatchery for year-round production.
“This launch is an excellent example of how Irish marine innovation is moving up the value chain,” said Richard Donnelly, interim chief executive of Ireland's seafood development agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
“Pure Ocean Algae is showing how sustainably farmed native seaweed, backed by strong research and commercial ambition, can create high-value products for global health and wellness markets. It highlights the significant opportunity for coastal communities when science, sustainability and enterprise come together,” he added.
O’Neill said the launch was an early step in a broader ambition for the sector.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re building a platform for Ireland to become a global leader in seaweed-based wellness. The potential is enormous – and we’re only starting to tap into it.”
