Sustainable Irish marine wellbeing brand Voya has undertaken a new two-year-long research project to further understand the ‘superpowers’ of Irish seaweed. This initiative is part of an innovation partnership with Shannon ABC, which has secured €1 million (approximately US$1.03 million or £832,000) in funding from Enterprise Ireland.

The research focuses on understanding the benefits of Irish seaweed for skincare and overall wellness.

Through this project, Voya intends to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of its seaweed harvesting methods by developing advanced technologies for more sustainable extraction of seaweed molecules.

By perfecting these processes, the research aims to unlock the full potential of Irish seaweed for applications in areas such as menopause, perimenopause, skin brightening, and microbiome health.

Speaking about the significance of the research, Marina Donohoe, head of research and innovation at Enterprise Ireland, said: “The Irish health and beauty sector is going from strength to strength, and Ireland is increasingly recognised internationally as an incubator of innovative health and beauty companies offering sustainable products.

“Moving the dial even further through research and supporting companies to have a science-backed approach gives these companies a competitive edge in a growing and competitive global market.”

Voya co-founder, Mark Walton, added: “The real-world evidence we gain from in-vivo testing is crucial for building consumer trust.

“By validating the performance of our products and treatments, it allows us to make marketing claims that aren’t just compelling but backed by solid data, which we believe will drive greater consumer trust, both in retail and spa environments.

“On top of this, compiling robust scientific data is a key part of our strategy – it helps us navigate regulatory approvals more smoothly, bolsters Voya’s reputation as a leader in the industry, and opens the door to expanding our spa offerings.”

This new initiative builds on a decade of research that Voya has already conducted in partnership with several Irish universities.