Mexico prepares sargassum conversion projects for 2027

New initiatives in Mexico aim to transform sargassum seaweed into valuable industrial and economic resources by 2027.

Environmental technology company Rubisco2 has developed a thermochemical method to convert sargassum into bicarbonate and a pozzolanic material. This material can replace up to 5 percent of cement in construction projects. A processing plant capable of handling 60 tons per day is planned for the Riviera Maya region. The company has already conducted pilot tests with Cemex, using the resulting material in housing and commercial structures. The project includes a digital traceability system to monitor the seaweed from collection to final use.

Simultaneously, the initiative ‘The Seas We Love’ is preparing a pilot project to formalize sargassum collection as a fishing activity. In coordination with the Mexican Hotel Council and local fishing cooperatives in Quintana Roo, the project aims to remove between 2,000 and 4,000 tons of seaweed daily during the 2027 season. Supported by the European Union, the plan seeks to involve up to 840 fishermen and 420 small vessels. This model intends to grant fishermen ownership of the collected seaweed, allowing them to sell it to third parties for the production of bioproducts and biomaterials.