About Us
SLC Ocean is a start-up venture solely focused on developing plant-based foods from the Ocean - i.e. 'Ocean Plant-Based Nutrition’. Our mission is to strengthen Aotearoa’s ‘modern food’ offering to complement our strong ‘traditional food’ sector.
Developing better products through science and nature
We are seeking to produce environmentally friendly and versatile proteins from marine plants (e.g. 'Macroalgae' or seaweeds ) – targeting consumer markets of the 21st century. This will be high-quality protein for human consumption from the sea, alongside a cascade of associated products and ingredients. This capitalise on our:
Advanced aquaculture expertise,
Plant biology and variety improvement capabilities,
Deep technical skill in food processing (particularly proteins), and
Our image and brand-strength globally as a pristine island nation.
An environmentally enhancing approach to food production
We are also seeking to establish a food production system which requires no freshwater, produces no methane, and is environmentally restorative due to the take-up of water-borne nitrogen and phosphates – closing the production cycle on other land-based protein systems.
It will resonate strongly with our nation’s close association with the ocean, and with back-to-basic diets, indigenous foods and clean labels. And it will extend Aotearoa’s productive base beyond the constraints of land-use and its heavy reliance on animal-based exports, and into our massive ocean territory.
“NZ is on the edge of an incredible opportunity to harness our ocean super territory and build a truly regenerative modern food system that will not only feed an increasing global demand for protein, but help to heal the planet in doing so.
It’s a radical notion but its entirely achievable and when we know better, we should do better”
— Scottie Chapman