MiAlgae Converts Whisky Waste into Fish-Free Omega-3 at New Grangemouth Site - vegconomist

The facility is intended to supply the pet food and aquaculture industries with fish-free DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), reducing reliance on marine-sourced Omega-3s. The company’s production process uses by-products from Scotland’s whisky industry to grow microalgae naturally rich in Omega-3.

According to MiAlgae, the process could prevent the harvesting of approximately six billion fish annually while recycling over 36 million litres of whisky by-products. The company also expects the site to support the creation of several hundred jobs in biotechnology, engineering, and operations once fully operational.

“A new chapter” in algal production

Douglas Martin, MiAlgae’s founder and CEO, said, “Breaking ground at Grangemouth marks an exciting new chapter for MiAlgae. Our mission has always been to make a meaningful impact, tackling overfishing, reducing waste, and creating sustainable value from industrial by-products.”

The facility is scheduled to go live in early 2026 and will serve manufacturers in the UK, the European Union, and the United States. The company says its modular design allows for further expansion to meet increasing demand. The construction project is supported by up to £3 million in combined funding from the UK and Scottish governments and is part of Project Willow, a government-backed effort to convert Grangemouth into a hub for low-carbon industries.

Grangemouth investment plans

Scottish Enterprise has supported MiAlgae since 2016.

Jan Robertson, Director of Grangemouth Transition at Scottish Enterprise, said, “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 aligns with broader government efforts to support low-carbon innovation at Grangemouth.

This includes a £14.5 million investment package announced in the Chancellor’s budget, alongside £25 million from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund and £200 million from the UK National Wealth Fund. Martin continued, “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.”