KelpStim – Cultivated kelp processed with low-input preservation as plant biostimulant

Kelp cultivation is a growing industry in Northern Norway, with promising applications including plant biostimulants. The global market for natural biostimulants is expanding rapidly, creating strong opportunities for kelp‑based products. At the same time, challenges remain in post‑harvest processing and market development before this potential can be fully realised.

KelpStim brings together key partners from industry and research: Kelpinor (producer of kelp‑based biostimulants), Grønt fra Nord (vegetable producer), and Møreforsking (expertise in kelp processing and bioactivity). The project tests biostimulants made from kelp biomass preserved using low‑energy methods such as acid conservation, with the aim of promoting plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic stress. In parallel, the project maps bioactive compounds in kelp and examines how these relate to biostimulant effects, enabling optimisation of processing methods.

Expected results include a production protocol for biostimulants derived from acid‑preserved kelp with enhanced properties, as well as new insights into chemical changes in kelp biomass that influence bioactivity. Together, this knowledge will support the development of sustainable new products for agriculture and strengthen value creation in the blue bioeconomy.