MiAlgae plans new Grangemouth facility to expand sustainable Omega-3 production

Scottish biotech company, MiAlgae, has submitted plans for a new production facility in Grangemouth, marking a significant step in its mission to scale up the manufacture of sustainable Omega-3 products from microalgae. The development is expected to generate over 100 green jobs in its first phase and support the transition of workers from oil and gas into biotechnology.

Founded by Douglas Martin, MiAlgae has developed a process that repurposes whisky industry by-products to grow microalgae, which are then used as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to fish-derived Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are essential in aquaculture and pet food, as well as increasingly in meat alternatives, nutraceuticals, and livestock feed.

“Grangemouth has incredible potential for us as we look to the next stage of our growth,” said Martin, Managing Director. “This location offers an ideal position to support our scaling efforts and meet the increasing demand for our ‘biotech for good’ solutions, with the creation of green jobs across engineering, production, and research and development. We are confident that this new facility will help build a greener future and bring high-quality, sustainable jobs to the local community.”

The proposed site is strategically located in Scotland’s Central Belt, close to both distilleries that provide MiAlgae’s feedstock and the company’s customer base. This proximity will support an efficient, circular production model that cuts down on transport and emissions while enhancing supply chain resilience.

MiAlgae’s new facility will adopt a modular design, allowing the company to scale in response to market demand. It also positions the firm to explore similar expansion opportunities closer to feedstock sources both in the UK and internationally. However, the company emphasized the importance of moving quickly and is considering alternative sites as a contingency should planning approval for the Grangemouth location be delayed.

“The area has a rich industrial history, and we’re proud to contribute to its evolution,” said Martin. “We’re also proud to be involved in Project Willow, which encourages green industries to establish themselves in Grangemouth, contributing to the area’s transformation into a hub for green technologies. MiAlgae is at exactly the right stage of growth to contribute to the success of Project Willow. We are proven at scale, there is market demand for our product, and we’re championing biotechnology in Scotland.”

MiAlgae is working with manufacturing partner CalaChem and other collaborators during the planning process. The company is also in discussions with the Scottish Government to secure support for the project, which it sees as aligned with national goals around sustainability and economic renewal.

The move reflects a growing demand for ethical, traceable alternatives to marine ingredients. Traditional Omega-3 production often relies on wild fish stocks, raising environmental and ethical concerns. By using by-products from whisky distillation to grow its algae, MiAlgae offers a solution that fits within the circular economy while helping reduce pressure on marine ecosystems.

If approved, the Grangemouth facility would mark a new chapter for MiAlgae as it continues its growth from a promising startup to a key player in the bioeconomy. With proven pilot-scale results and increasing demand across sectors, the company aims to demonstrate how biotechnology can help build a greener industrial base in Scotland and beyond.