From Waste to Face: How Alicante's Beach Algae Transform into Cosmetic Products

Alicante-based 'startup' has developed a project that collects the remains of Posidonia oceanica at Almadraba beach and transforms them into high-quality ingredients for the cosmetic and nutraceutical industry. "Our priority is to turn what has been waste into a resource. We know that Posidonia plays a key role in the environment, and in this way, we can generate added value to improve human health," says Silvia Antón, co-founder and marine biologist.

The company conducts selective and manual collections, limiting its extraction to avoid environmental effects, ensuring that the Posidonia that contributes to coastal protection and erosion prevention is not affected, complying with the Generalitat's good practices manual. The collected Posidonia oceanica will be used for research and active ingredient extraction.

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The accumulation of Posidonia oceanica is a natural phenomenon that plays a fundamental role in protecting the Mediterranean coast. However, excessive accumulation causes inconvenience to beach users. "With this collection, Mediterranean Algae Technologies positions itself as an agent of change by providing a solution that balances environmental protection with the need for responsible and sustainable coastal use," highlighted its CEO, Yago Sierras.

This company is launched from the 'Príncipe Felipe' Business Nursery, in coordination with the Alicante Municipal Cleaning and Environment Service and the Local Economic and Social Development Agency 'Impulsalicante'.

The Councilor for Employment and Promotion, Mari Carmen de España, responsible for the Local Development Agency, highlighted during a visit to the company this Thursday that "this initiative is the result of public-private collaboration in projects for the conservation of the natural environment and reuse of natural resources obtained sustainably, driven by an emerging and innovative biotechnology company like Mediterranean Algae, which has emerged in Alicante's Business Nursery."