Business Development Research for Sodium Alginate Production

1. Pakistan’s Blue Economy Potential
Pakistan is a potential country to leverage its blue economy from vast
coastal resources and offshore belt such as seagrass, also called as
seaweeds. Their several kinds including Red, Brown and Green Algae
are naturally grown in coastal areas Pakistan and they can be
potentially used for their respective applications in industries. Brown
algae are used for the production of alginic acid and sodium alginate.
Red and green algae are also viably present on the coastal areas of
Pakistan. Green algae are used for food purposes and an important
commercial product "agar" can be made from red algae.
Production & Processing of Sodium
Alginate
The seaweeds are collected as wet mass but it is treated to convert
into dry mass for extraction and transportation. Different genera are
collected from time to time in a season as wet mass. It loses much
weight after drying out from wet mass. Assumptions can be made to
estimate the possible quantity of raw material but these studies
should be conducted first to establish the availability of raw material
in a season. Yield per unit of the wet / dry mass of seaweed should be
estimated before installation of plant. Seaweeds can also be
cultivated on the site after pilot plant for the development and needs
of the hour. An investment is required for the cultivation of these
seaweeds.
Commercial Value of Alginic Acid and
Sodium Alginate
Alginic acid or algin is widely distributed in the cell walls of brown algae.
Sodium alginate is used in many industries including food, animal food,
fertilisers, textile printing, and pharmaceuticals. Dental impression
material uses alginate as its means of gelling. Food grade alginate is an
approved ingredient in processed and manufactured foods.
Different genera of brown algae under its species are present on Bulegi
Beach which are Sargassum, Padina, Juliana, cystoseira, and Dictyota.
Colpomenia and Iyengria. Brown algae generally grow from October to
March. They are affected by weather conditions and can only be
collected in low tide times.
SEAWEEDS GROWN ON THE ROCKY
LEDGES AND ROCKY POOLS OF BEACH
"BULEGI" NEAR HAWK'S BAY, KARACHI
www.cfpakistan.org
cfpakistanorg

2. cfpakistanorg
Production & Processing of Sodium Alginate
The seaweeds are collected as wet mass but it is treated to convert into dry mass for extraction and
transportation. Different genera are collected from time to time in a season as wet mass. It loses
much weight after drying out from wet mass. Assumptions can be made to estimate the possible
quantity of raw material but these studies should be conducted first to establish the availability of
raw material in a season. Yield per unit of the wet / dry mass of seaweed should be estimated before
installation of plant. Seaweeds can also be cultivated on the site after pilot plant for the development
and needs of the hour. An investment is required for the cultivation of these seaweeds.
Pakistan’s Blue Economy Potential
Pakistan is a potential country to leverage its blue economy from vast
coastal resources and offshore belt such as seagrass, also called as
seaweeds. Their several kinds including Red, Brown and Green Algae
are naturally grown in coastal areas Pakistan and they can be
potentially used for their respective applications in industries. Brown
algae are used for the production of alginic acid and sodium alginate.
Red and green algae are also viably present on the coastal areas of
Pakistan. Green algae are used for food purposes and an important
commercial product "agar" can be made from red algae.
Commercial Value of Alginic Acid and Sodium Alginate
Alginic acid or algin is widely distributed in the cell walls of brown algae. Sodium alginate is used in
many industries including food, animal food, fertilisers, textile printing, and pharmaceuticals. Dental
impression material uses alginate as its means of gelling. Food grade alginate is an approved
ingredient in processed and manufactured foods.
Different genera of brown algae under its species are present on Bulegi Beach which are Sargassum,
Padina, Juliana, cystoseira, and Dictyota. Colpomenia and Iyengria. Brown algae generally grow from
October to March. They are affected by weather conditions and can only be collected in low tide
times.
SEAWEEDS GROWN ON THE ROCKY
LEDGES AND ROCKY POOLS OF BEACH
"BULEGI" NEAR HAWK'S BAY, KARACHI
Pakistan should consider its blue economy to meet developmental challenges and
economic overhaul now spanning years of crisis and slow growth of the country. It
needs fresh minds, skilled workforce, and innovative processes that can bring a
paradigm shift in its public and private sector management and industrial market
development, aligned with global commitments.
CALL
TO
ACTION
www.cfpakistan.org