Our Story
Origins: The Rio Earth Summit, June 1992
Convened by the United Nations at the start of the 1990s, the Rio Earth Summit marks not only the emergence of the modern ecological and environmental movements on the international stage, but also the beginning of Sea-Chem’s product evolution. The Rio Declaration pledged, amongst other things, that the 180 governments in attendance would begin to investigate new, organic alternatives to those toxic or hazardous chemical products that were being used across industry at that time. Following Rio, the 'Environmental Technology' sector sprang up almost overnight, and the massive drive towards innovation and sustainability in the chemical industry duly began.
The (Re)Discovery of Seaweed
Seaweed – long celebrated for its health and agricultural benefits by coastal communities the world over – immediately attracted attention as one natural and sustainable resource with possible industrial applications. Across Europe, chemists and biologists soon uncovered the science behind these age-oldpractices. They found that the unique blend of micronutrients and biosurfactants contained within seaweeds offered a world of possibilities; and they soon developed a series of highly effective products for bioremediation, industrial cleaning and outdoor use chiefly derived from these plants. What is more, besides their vastly superior environmental profile, scientists found that in many cases these seaweed products worked just as well as, if not better than, the existing chemical solution.
The Birth of Sea-Chem
Sea-Chem drew on these findings in 2007. Starting with sustainably harvested seaweed, and working alongside experienced biochemists, we began to manufacture and market a range of products for use in a variety of industrial, agricultural and domestic settings. We are currently making great strides in helping to transform various businesses, from golf courses to large-scale bioremediation contractors. Nothing pleases us more than hearing the positive feedback that our clients leave us after trying Sea-Chem's products for the first time.