University of Exeter students studying the One Planet MBA programme are working with the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) at Tremough to explore how a Cornish business can become a ‘firm of the future’ – a business inspired by nature.
The students are looking at the development of a Cornish seaweed industry with Falassa, a local business which encourages the use of seaweed for nutrition and therapy. There are a few companies that are working with seaweed in Cornwall but the ESI and Business School is looking to explore ways in which things can develop and diversify.
Alex Huke, research and knowledge exchange manager for the ESI, explained: “Seaweed has long been used elsewhere in the world and many parts of Britain – for food, fuel, fertiliser and cosmetics.
“Reinvigorating interest in utilising seaweed in Cornwall is exciting, especially if we can look at it developing a holistically, sustainably and economically viable industry.”
Rory Macphee, Director of Falassa, said: “It was a totally charming experience to be on a beach in Cornwall explaining the intricacies of sea vegetable harvesting and processing to the students. This is how education should be run and I am very optimistic that the business growth ideas being developed by the students will push Falassa into a new and exciting arena of operations.”
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