Kelp Industries celebrates 50 years

PICTURE: Kelp drying on Netherby Road racks, picture Peter Cooper.

WHAT started out as an ambitious and somewhat risky enterprise, initially thought to only last one year, has been successful in obtaining 50 years of continuous production resulting in over 100,000 tonnes of dried seaweed being shipped from King Island to various destinations worldwide.

Working through the initial startup and logistics, construction ideas and workable locations Kelp industries was eventually established on its current Netherby Road site.

Through these 50 years, Kelp Industries has provided many on King Island with employment opportunities or the ability to earn a secondary income.

There would be few farmers that didn’t use kelping to earn some extra income during difficult times.

Many harvesters initially moved kelp by hand until the invention of the kelp winch, which dramatically improved efficiency and this method is still used today.

Kelp trucks and trailers, of varying shapes and sizes move kelp from King Island’s shores to the factory for drying and processing, much the way it was always done.

Granulated kelp is still shipped overseas, moving from Scotland to Haugesund, Norway where it is processed to be used in pharmaceuticals. Gaviscon would be the most known product. Any remainder kelp is sold within Australia to companies like Seasol and Multicrop who have had a long history with Kelp Industries.

Although currently experiencing a slowdown in supply, Kelp Industries has a solid business model with a clear future since being purchased by French company Roquette.