Puntacana Foundation and Origin by Ocean partner to transform sargassum into bioproducts

Punta Cana.- The Puntacana Foundation and Finnish company Origin by Ocean have signed a binding agreement to create a sustainable sargassum supply chain and build a pretreatment terminal in Punta Cana. The initiative aims to transform the massive influx of sargassum—a major environmental challenge in the Caribbean—into valuable bio-based products.

Origin by Ocean will use the collected sargassum as raw material for its biorefinery in Finland, which produces eco-friendly ingredients for the cosmetics, food, and textile industries. The Puntacana Foundation will supply up to 4,000 tons of sargassum annually by 2027–2028, leveraging its expertise in harvesting and management.

Both parties emphasized that the project promotes a circular economy while creating local economic opportunities. They also plan to study the feasibility of establishing a biorefinery in the Dominican Republic in the future, further advancing sustainable innovation in the region.