Queen's University Belfast develops wool ropes for seaweed farming

Engineers from Queen's University Belfast have developed biodegradable ropes made from 100% sheep's wool to replace synthetic materials in seaweed farming. The project aims to mitigate the release of microplastic fibers into marine environments caused by the wear and tear of traditional plastic ropes.

Using wool from Whiteface Dartmoor sheep, researchers have successfully cultivated sugar kelp, winged kelp, and sea lettuce on these wool longlines. The initiative has progressed from experimental trials at Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland to industrial-scale testing at Arctic Seaweed’s farm near Bergen, Norway, with additional work being conducted in Iceland.

The wool-based system supports a circular economy; once the seaweed is harvested, the biodegradable ropes and remaining seaweed biomass can be processed together into fertilizer. The project involves collaboration with the UK-based manufacturer The Provenance Company and the Norwegian producer Arctic Seaweed.