MiAlgae breaks ground on Grangemouth scale-up to meet surging demand for fish-free omega-3s

SCOTLAND – MiAlgae has broken ground on a major new scale-up facility in Grangemouth, Scotland, marking a significant expansion aimed at meeting rapidly rising global demand for fish-free omega-3 oils in the pet food industry. 

Backed by joint public investment and scheduled to go live in early Q2 2026, the site is expected to increase MiAlgae’s pet-nutrition omega-3 output by more than tenfold.

The large-scale facility will supply premium DHA derived from microalgae, enabling pet food manufacturers to incorporate omega-3s into dry, wet and supplement formats without relying on wild-caught fish oil. 

The project is supported by a joint investment of up to £3 million (about US$3.8 million) from the UK and Scottish governments and forms part of Project Willow, the Scottish government’s initiative to transform Grangemouth into a hub for green technologies.

Douglas Martin, founder and CEO of MiAlgae, 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. 

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.”

Circular production using whisky by-products

MiAlgae’s technology upcycles by-products from Scotland’s whisky industry to grow microalgae naturally rich in DHA, an essential fatty acid linked to skin and coat health, cognitive function, joint mobility and immunity in pets. 

By going “straight to the source” of omega-3s, the company bypasses the marine food chain, reducing pressure on dwindling wild fish stocks.

At full scale, the Grangemouth facility is expected to save an estimated six billion fish annually by replacing marine-sourced omega-3s, recycle around 36.1 million litres of whisky by-products through its circular process, and create hundreds of new green jobs across biotechnology, engineering and production. 

The site is designed with modular scalability and is located close to both raw-material suppliers and major customers, supporting a low-carbon supply chain serving the UK, EU and U.S. markets.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the project marked an important milestone for the region’s industrial future. 

“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,” he 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.”

Part of wider Grangemouth transition funding

The MiAlgae investment sits alongside a broader package of public support aimed at repositioning Grangemouth as a low-carbon technology hub. 

This includes £14.5 million (around US$18.4 million) announced at the UK Budget to support the transformation of the site, the Scottish Government’s £25 million Grangemouth Just Transition Fund (about US$31.8 million), and a further £200 million (approximately US$254 million) pledged by the Prime Minister from the National Wealth Fund.

Jan Robertson, director of Grangemouth Transition at Scottish Enterprise, said: “It’s wonderful to see MiAlgae break ground on its first commercial-scale plant. 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.”

Founded in 2016, MiAlgae produces plant-based omega-3 ingredients for both aquaculture and pet nutrition, positioning the Grangemouth expansion as a key step in scaling a sustainable alternative to traditional fish oil at a time of growing demand for clean-label, low-carbon feed ingredients.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.