Canadian Cosmetic Cluster Team
Uniting Canadian Cosmetics and Bringing it to the World
 On September 23–24, 2025, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban, Scotland, became the beating heart of a global conversation on seaweed. The two-day Beauty By The Sea symposium — hosted by the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster in collaboration with the UK Cosmetic Cluster (CCUK), SAMS Enterprise, the Pacific Seaweed Association, and the Canadian Seaweed Network — gathered 35 delegates from across Canada, the UK, and Europe to explore how marine innovation can shape the future of cosmetics, wellness, and sustainable industry. Day 1: The Science of Seaweed The event opened with warm welcomes from Nick Owens (Director of SAMS), Christine Rolins (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), and Frazer Coupland (West Highlands Chamber of Commerce). Their remarks emphasized the West Coast’s growing role as a hub for blue innovation — a bridge between science, local communities, and sustainable industry. Francesca Batt of WWF followed with a keynote titled Seaweed Solutions x WWF, highlighting why regenerative aquaculture and seaweed innovation are now “rising stars” in global sustainability and investment. The session transitioned into The Business of Seaweed by Margarita Sidorova (Canadian Cosmetic Cluster), who presented an insightful overview of the global seaweed economy — outlining market trends, export flows, and the barriers still limiting scale. She framed seaweed as both a commercial and ecological asset, capable of uniting sectors from biotech to beauty. Neil Waslidge of OCEANIUM then shared how his UK-based biotech is unlocking the potential of sustainably farmed Saccharina latissima through circular biorefinery technology, producing high-performance bioactive ingredients like OCEAN ACTIVES C+, clinically proven to reduce skin redness and support a healthy microbiome. Rounding out the morning, Dr. Ambrosio Pagaran (MediSea Biotech) presented Policy to Prototype, detailing how EU Blue Economy funding calls can be paired with corporate partnerships to de-risk and scale new algae and aquaculture technologies. After lunch, Dr. Daniel Hodgson (Edinburgh Complex Fluids Partnership) demonstrated advances in formulation science from seaweed polysaccharides and bioactives, with a visit to the mobile formulation bus. The day concluded with guided tours of the SAMS Nursery, labs, and the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP) — one of the world’s largest living collections of microalgae, showcasing Scotland’s formidable research capacity in marine biotechnology. The evening networking dinner celebrated cross-border collaboration, giving Canadian and UK delegates the chance to build partnerships that will carry the conversation forward. Day 2: From Science to Storytelling The second day shifted focus from research to real-world impact — from how seaweed is cultivated to how its story is told. Natalie Gilson (Pisces) and Amanda Horn (Shower Thoughts™) opened with Selling Your Seaweed Solution Through Storytelling, a live “brand therapy” fireside chat exploring how authenticity, transparency, and ocean-based narratives can transform a business’s communication strategy. Mark Smith, founder of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association, followed with Strengthening the North American Seaweed Supply Chain, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between producers, processors, and marketers to build resilience and global competitiveness. Gill Westgate of CCUK then shared how the UK Cosmetic Cluster connects academia, formulators, and suppliers to support science-driven innovation across the cosmetic value chain. Dr. Ray Marriott introduced sustainable extraction methods using supercritical CO₂, presenting data on yields, compositions, and commercial potential of seaweed-derived actives — a glimpse into the chemistry powering tomorrow’s clean beauty. Canadian wild-kelp harvester Shaelynne Bood from Vancouver Island brought an inspiring human perspective. Her talk, Wild Harvesting Giant Kelp on the BC Coast, described continuing a family legacy of responsible harvesting in Kwakiutl territory. Guided by science and Indigenous stewardship, her story embodied the balance between livelihood and ecology. After a business-focused networking lunch, Daniel Carcajona from SAMS Enterprise presented Translating Marine Science into Commercial Success, showing how research can evolve into viable business ventures. Rhianna Rees then explored The Importance of Seaweed Farming, underlining its ecological role in carbon absorption, biodiversity, and ocean regeneration. The day concluded with collaboration roundtables, where participants discussed scaling bottlenecks, shared infrastructure, commercialization pathways, and the formation of a transatlantic seaweed network. Day 3: Culture, Connection, and Reflection The optional final day invited participants to unwind and connect with the environment that inspired the event. Delegates took a ferry to the Island of Kerrera for a guided hike, a locally sourced picnic, and a visit to Gylen Castle— a perfect metaphor for the dialogue between history and innovation that defines the blue economy.  By the event’s close, one thing was clear: seaweed is no longer niche. The cross-border partnership between Canada and Scotland demonstrated the power of collaboration in shaping the future of marine innovation. The key takeaway echoed across discussions — the UK’s seaweed industry holds immense growth and sustainability potential, but its success depends on developing regional processing infrastructure, fostering market demand, and connecting science with enterprise. Under the Beauty and the Bioeconomy pillar, the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster and CCUK pledged to continue supporting members through knowledge exchange, international projects, and market development. As waves broke along the Oban coast, delegates left with more than new contacts — they carried a shared sense of purpose: that seaweed, the quiet hero of the ocean, can help redefine beauty, biotechnology, and the balance between people and planet. 
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