MiAlgae has begun construction on a production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland, that will increase the company's omega-3 output more than tenfold when it becomes operational in early Q2 2026.
The facility will produce algal omega-3 oils for pet food manufacturers using a process that upcycles whisky industry by-products to grow microalgae naturally rich in DHA. The expansion is supported by up to £3 million (US$3.8 million) in joint investment from the UK and Scottish governments.
At full scale, the facility will recycle 36.1 million liters of whisky by-products annually and create hundreds of jobs in biotechnology, engineering and production. The company reports the facility will replace marine-sourced omega-3s equivalent to six billion fish per year.
The omega-3 ingredient targets pet food applications including dry, wet and supplement formats. MiAlgae said its DHA is linked to skin and coat health, cognitive function, joint mobility and immunity support in pets.
"Breaking ground at Grangemouth marks an exciting new chapter for MiAlgae," said Douglas Martin, founder and CEO of 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."
The facility features modular design to accommodate future expansion for pet food and aquaculture markets. Its location near raw material suppliers and customers supports distribution to manufacturers in the UK, EU and U.S.
The funding includes £14.5 million (US$18.5 million) announced in the Chancellor's Budget to support Grangemouth's transformation into a low-carbon technology hub, plus the Scottish Government's £25 million (US$31.8 million) Grangemouth Just Transition Fund. The UK Prime Minister previously pledged £200 million (US$255 million) from the National Wealth Fund for the site's development.
"It's wonderful to see MiAlgae break ground on its first commercial-scale plant," said Jan Robertson, director of Grangemouth Transition at Scottish Enterprise. "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, bringing high-quality jobs and supply chain opportunities to the community."
