MiAlgae breaks ground at Grangemouth to scale fish-free Omega 3 production

Scottish biotech company MiAlgae began construction on a major new production facility at Grangemouth, marking a significant scale-up in its efforts to supply sustainable, fish-free Omega 3 oils to the global petfood and aquaculture markets.

The new site, which was expected to be operational in early Q2 2026, was designed to increase MiAlgae’s Omega 3 output for pet nutrition by more than tenfold. The expansion aimed to help manufacturers incorporate high-quality DHA into dry and wet pet food, as well as supplements, without relying on wild-caught fish oil at a time when demand for clean-label and sustainable ingredients continues to rise.

MiAlgae said the facility would ultimately replace marine-sourced Omega 3s equivalent to around six billion fish annually, while recycling an estimated 36.1 million liters of whisky industry by-products through its circular production process. At full scale, the company expected the site to support hundreds of new green jobs across biotechnology, engineering, and production roles.

The project was backed by joint public investment of up to £3 million, around US$3.8 million, from the UK and Scottish governments. The development also formed part of Project Willow, a Scottish government initiative focused on transforming Grangemouth into a hub for low-carbon and green technologies.

MiAlgae’s production model centered on upcycling by-products from Scotland’s whisky industry to cultivate microalgae naturally rich in DHA, an essential Omega 3 fatty acid associated with benefits including skin and coat health, cognitive function, joint mobility, and immune support in pets. The company said the resulting ingredient was fully traceable, vegan, and low-carbon, aligning with growing consumer expectations around sustainability and transparency in pet nutrition.

Douglas Martin, Founder & CEO of MiAlgae, said the start of construction represented a major milestone for the company’s mission. “Breaking ground at Grangemouth marks an exciting new chapter for MiAlgae,” Martin said. “Our mission has always been to make a meaningful impact, tackling overfishing, reducing waste, and creating sustainable value from industrial by-products. This new facility is a huge step towards delivering that mission at scale, bringing new, high-quality green jobs to the local area, and helping Scotland lead the way in this exciting new biotech industry.”

The facility was designed with modular scalability, allowing MiAlgae to expand capacity over time as demand grows. The Grangemouth location was selected for its proximity to both raw material suppliers and major customers, supporting a low-carbon supply chain for pet nutrition manufacturers across the UK, EU, and United States.

While MiAlgae’s initial focus for the site was pet nutrition, the company said the facility would also support future growth in aquaculture markets, where demand for sustainable alternatives to fish oil remains strong. Omega 3s are a critical ingredient in aquafeed, but reliance on marine resources has raised long-term sustainability and supply concerns.

Government representatives framed the investment as part of a broader industrial transition strategy for Grangemouth. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the MiAlgae project was the first new development at the site under the government’s plans.

“Today we’re taking another step forward as we back the first new project at the site, creating hundreds of new, decent jobs and attracting further investment in the area,” Shanks said. “This project, alongside the £200 million of funding pledged from the National Wealth Fund, is part of our clear strategy for Grangemouth’s industrial future. A strategy with workers, unions, businesses, and the wider community at its heart.”

Jan Robertson, Director of Grangemouth Transition at Scottish Enterprise, said the organization had supported MiAlgae’s development journey for several years. “It’s wonderful to see MiAlgae break ground on its first commercial-scale plant,” Robertson said. “We’ve worked with the company since 2016, aiding its ambitious growth with a mix of advisory and funding support. Grangemouth is the perfect location for this innovative Scottish scale-up to grow and prosper, bringing high-quality jobs and supply chain opportunities to the community.”

The funding for MiAlgae’s facility formed part of a wider package of public investment aimed at repositioning Grangemouth as a low-carbon technology hub. This included £14.5 million, about US$18.3 million, announced by the Chancellor at the Budget to support the site’s transformation, alongside the Scottish Government’s £25 million Grangemouth Just Transition Fund, equivalent to around US$31.6 million. The Just Transition Fund was intended to help businesses and stakeholders develop investable projects for the area.

These commitments were in addition to £200 million, around US$253 million, previously pledged from the National Wealth Fund to unlock Grangemouth’s industrial potential following the decline of traditional petrochemical activity at the site.

MiAlgae said its expansion reflected both rising market demand and the maturation of its production technology. By integrating circular economy principles with scalable biotechnology, the company aimed to address structural challenges facing Omega 3 supply chains, including overfishing, price volatility, and environmental impact.

As construction progressed, MiAlgae said its priority would be executing the scale-up while maintaining product quality and supply reliability for partners in the petfood and aquaculture sectors. The company positioned the Grangemouth facility as a foundation for long-term growth, as well as a tangible example of how industrial by-products and biotechnology could be combined to support a more sustainable food and feed system.