Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. V I I A P R I L 6 , 2 0 2 6 6 B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state A Maine seaweed product taps into an international market B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n I t may seem like an unlikely product to have a global appeal. But Ocean's Balance, a Biddeford company, produces seaweed-based ingredients for manufactur- ers of food and pet products. Founded in 2016 by CEO Mitchell Lench and entre- preneur Tollef Olsen, Ocean's Balance is part of a global market valued at nearly $20 billion. Roughly a third of the company's business is international. "Our primary markets are the health and wellness sector including supplement manufacturers," Lench told Mainebiz. "We also sell to both food manufactur- ers as well as the pet industry" — pet food, supple- ments and treats. At first, global customers found Ocean's Balance, rather than the other away around, the founder says. "The international business started initially by customers reaching out to us from certain countries," Lench says. "When we started to get traction, we started to be more proactive. For example, we set up a website in China, did some advertising and hired a local consultant to be our point of contact." Exporter award The strategy apparently worked. In March, Ocean's Balance was named "Exporter of the Year" by the Maine International Trade Center. It was among four Maine businesses or organiza- tions that were recognized by the Maine International Trade Center for their work to increase exports, inno- vation and investment in the state. "Our 2026 award winners are an extraordinary group of organizations and individuals who represent the best of Maine through global partnerships, innova- tion leadership and workforce development," Wade Merritt, president of the Maine International Trade Center and state director of international trade, said when the award was announced. What the company produces Ocean's Balance is capitalizing on wellness trends. It supplies products with organic microalgae ingredients. Microalgae are ingredients used in products created by supplement makers and manufacturers of "func- tional food" and wellness products. The microalgae have what's known as natural "nutrient density," as well as versatility, meaning the ingredients can be used in a variety of ways. Ocean's Balance products include Organic Spirulina Powder, Organic Chlorella Powder, and custom blends of spirulina and chlorella, sources of protein and vitamins. "Given that 95% of seaweed consumed in the U.S. is imported and China accounts for approximately 66%, it feels good to be exporting seaweed to several countries in Asia," Lench says. SP ONSORED BY Ocean's Balance, which can process up to 30,000 pounds of kelp per day, has found a global market. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F O C E A N ' S B A L A N C E Biddeford-based Ocean's Balance produces seaweed- based ingredients for food and pet products. F I L E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F O C E A N ' S B A L A N C E Mitchell Lench, CEO of Ocean's Balance F I L E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F O C E A N ' S B A L A N C E

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