Food & beverage
A natural thickener and stabiliser in dairy, plant-based milks, desserts, sauces, jellies and processed meats.
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Our primary crop
Eucheuma Cottonii
Kappaphycus alvarezii
A premium tropical red seaweed and the world’s leading source of kappa-carrageenan — grown sustainably in the warm, clear waters of the Maldives.
What is Eucheuma Cottonii?
Eucheuma Cottonii — known to science as Kappaphycus alvarezii — is a fast-growing red tropical seaweed cultivated in warm, shallow, sunlit waters. It is one of the most commercially important seaweeds in the world.
It is the primary source of kappa-carrageenan, a natural hydrocolloid extracted from the seaweed and used across industries as a gelling, thickening and stabilising agent. As a plant-derived, renewable ingredient, demand for it continues to grow worldwide.
Where it’s used
The carrageenan refined from Eucheuma Cottonii is a versatile, clean-label ingredient found in everyday products around the world.
Pharmaceutical & health
Used in capsules, suspensions and toothpaste, and valued as a source of dietary fibre with prebiotic properties.
Cosmetics & personal care
A natural gelling agent in creams, lotions and gels — prized for its clean-label, plant-derived origin.
A crop for the planet
Grown without fresh water, land or fertiliser, seaweed absorbs CO₂ and helps support healthy marine ecosystems.
How we cultivate it
We grow Eucheuma Cottonii on managed lines in the sheltered lagoons of the Maldives, where warm temperatures and year-round sunlight create ideal conditions for healthy, high-quality seaweed.
- 01
Propagation
Healthy seedlings are selected and tied to cultivation lines in the lagoon.
- 02
Growth
Over roughly 45–60 days the seaweed thrives in warm, clear, sunlit water.
- 03
Harvest
Fronds are hand-harvested at their peak carrageenan content.
- 04
Sun-drying
Harvests are naturally sun-dried on racks to preserve quality before export.
At a glance
- Species
- Eucheuma Cottonii (Kappaphycus alvarezii)
- Type
- Red tropical seaweed
- Key compound
- Kappa-carrageenan
- Growth cycle
- 45–60 days
- Processing
- Naturally sun-dried
- Origin
- Maldives — K. Kaashidhoo