Algae-based seafood alternative lands on the market

Vegan seafood alternative made of algae is now a reality on the market. Algama SAS, the company behind the Seafood Algternative project, has developed 100% plant-based fish alternatives to meet the increasing demand for sustainable food products and contribute to better health and oceans.

Since 2021, a team of 10 people has been working on the taste, smell and texture of microalgae to transform them into vegan options of smoked salmon, canned tuna, caviar and tarama, with remarkable results. The Seafood Algternative project, which ended on 31 December 2023, has received almost EUR 2 million from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

During the project implementation, the grant indirectly helped Algama SAS raise EUR 13 million with a Belgian investment fund to build a production unit in Grâce-Hollogne (in Liege). The factory will produce algae-based substitutes of eggs for Algama SAS’s pâtisserie product line.

On the other hand, the project directly contributed to the opening of a production unit for the seafood alternatives product line in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France). Through the project, the partners also created a new company called Seafood Reboot, and later renamed OLALA! Food. This spin-off company became independent and managed to raise EUR 3.2 million in May 2022.

In September 2023, OLALA! Food became a client of the ExKi restaurants chain. OLALA! is now selling algae-based alternatives to seafood in 4 countries across Europe, which is a strong proof of its success.