Australian biotechnology company Marinova Pty Ltd has taken out the country’s highest innovation accolade in the Australian Organic Industry Awards.

Hosted by peak industry body, Australian Organic Limited, the awards are now in their eighth year and have become a coveted prize and valued recognition of the powerful growth in the organic sector. This year’s awards featured two new categories, Brand of the Year and the Innovation Award, in recognition of the trailblazing efforts of Australian producers introducing organic products.

Marinova is the global leader in the research, development and manufacture of high purity fucoidan extracts and now exports its products to more than 35 countries worldwide. Fucoidans are bioactive compounds found naturally in brown seaweeds. High purity fucoidans are highly prized for their range of beneficial health properties, particularly in the areas of immune support, gut and digestive health, and healthy ageing.

Marinova’s CEO & Managing Director, Mr Paul Garrott, commented, “Fucoidan is an innovative marine ingredient and ongoing scientific research continues to reveal the extraordinary health benefits that it has to offer. It is proof that naturally derived compounds play an important role in promoting and maintaining human health.” Speaking of the company’s proprietary extraction process, Mr Garrott continued, “Our unique Maritech® extraction process utilises advanced filtration technologies to separate and purify fucoidan without the use of harsh solvents and other chemicals typically used by other manufacturers. As a result of Marinova’s significant and ongoing investment in R&D, our Australian made extracts stand alone as the world’s only high purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance.”

Marinova hand-harvests wild seaweed, a rapidly renewable marine resource, from the cleanest of ocean waters in order to maintain the integrity of its fucoidan. All harvesting takes place on an environmentally sustainable basis. Mr Garrott highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to the organic industry and environmental sustainability. “Marinova has succeeded in diverting all of its seaweed residues away from landfill, and into new value-added products for the horticultural sector. Initiatives such as these have us on the cusp of being a genuine zero-waste, carbon neutral manufacturer.”