In the waters off Rongcheng, which are traversed by the 37th parallel north—the golden latitude—seaweed farms stretch out neatly across the emerald waters. Ropes connect buoyant floats, creating a breathtaking seascape reminiscent of an idyllic rural landscape on the sea. This vibrant blue expanse is not only Shandong Peninsula’s “blue granary” but also the starting point of Shandong Lanrun Group’s seaweed industry chain. From ecological cultivation to sophisticated processing, and from the domestic market to global expansion, Shandong Lanrun Group harnesses technological innovation as its driving force, transforming this traditional marine algae into high-value-added products. By building a comprehensive seaweed industry chain, the company has become a vivid example of promoting high-quality development of the marine economy.

Ecological Farming: Building a “Blue Carbon Model” to Solidify the Foundation of the Industry

The waters off Rongcheng boast uniquely favorable natural conditions: the seawater is exceptionally clear and pure, rich in various minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Its salinity and temperature remain stable year-round, making it an ideal environment for the growth of laver (purple algae). Leveraging this advantage, Lanrun Group has partnered with local aquaculture bases to innovatively introduce a three-dimensional ecological farming model—“algae-shellfish-fish.” This model achieves a symbiotic system through the scientific combination of laver, shellfish, and fish: laver releases oxygen, shellfish purify the water quality, and artificial reef structures absorb organic matter, thus forming a closed ecological chain. This model not only boosts economic benefits but also delivers remarkable ecological advantages. According to calculations by the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, this model has increased the carbon-sequestration capacity of marine areas by 40%, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the water by 60%, effectively lowered the incidence of red tides, and achieved the ecological goal of “storing grain in the sea and sequestering carbon in algae.” Furthermore, tailored to the specific characteristics of the marine area, the Group promotes a rotational farming pattern featuring “坛紫菜—条斑紫菜—long-stemmed ulva.” During summer, the heat-resistant坛紫菜 is cultivated alternately with 条斑紫菜 in autumn and spring, thereby avoiding the impact of changes in seawater nutrient conditions on product quality and significantly enhancing farming efficiency and resource utilization.

At aquaculture bases such as Renhe Town in Rongcheng City, the Lanrun Group has attracted upstream and downstream enterprises, encouraging local fishermen to engage in both aquaculture and primary processing. Female workers are responsible for sorting and packaging, significantly boosting their per capita income. Meanwhile, the structure of marine aquaculture has expanded from a single species—kelp—to include multiple species such as laver, injecting new vitality into marine ranches.

Technology Empowerment: Advanced Processing Drives a Leap in Value

In the past, due to a lack of processing channels, Rongcheng laver was mostly sold at low prices as raw material, leaving aquaculture farmers with limited earnings. Addressing this critical issue, Lanrun Group invested 500 million yuan to revitalize an idle industrial park in Lidao Town, introducing Japan’s most advanced, fully automated equipment specifically designed for laver production. The group has now established five integrated laver-processing lines and is building intelligent production facilities, achieving a fully automated process—from raw material selection and drying to seasoning and packaging—thus providing technological support and quality assurance for laver processing. Through sophisticated deep processing, the value of one ton of laver has increased more than 20-fold, rising from the initial processing price of 60,000 yuan to over 1.2 million yuan. The group has launched a diverse range of laver products, including sushi nori, filled nori, seasoned nori, and rice-wrap nori, catering to various consumer segments. However, the domestic market share for laver remains relatively limited; thus, overseas exports represent the commercial blue ocean for the laver industry.

To tap into the international market, under the guidance of customs and other relevant authorities, Lanrun Group has established a comprehensive, end-to-end quality and safety system. The company’s laver products have successively obtained numerous internationally recognized certifications, including FSSC22000 food safety certification, ISO22000 product certification, U.S. FDA certification, HACCP food system certification, Halal certification, and BRC certification, paving the way for its products to go global and enabling them to enjoy strong sales in more than 20 countries and regions, including the United States, the European Union, ASEAN, and Australia. Rongcheng Customs has introduced convenient measures such as limited inspections and paperless clearance procedures, achieving “report-and-inspect-and-release immediately,” thereby helping Rongcheng’s laver products swiftly reach markets worldwide.

Ranrun Group, leveraging 17 key marine industry projects in Rongcheng City with a total investment of 1.463 billion yuan, is accelerating the integrated development of the primary, secondary, and tertiary marine industries. The group has consolidated resources such as kelp, abalone, and laver, and is driving a transformation from a “raw material production base” to a “trading center.” By the end of 2025, Rongcheng’s total annual trading volume is expected to exceed 500,000 tons.

The laver industry practices of Shandong Lanrun Group—empowering the industrial chain through technology and reshaping the value chain with ecological approaches—demonstrate a new path that integrates marine resource development with sustainable development. Guided by the “Maritime Power” strategy, this model not only injects momentum into enterprises and regional economies but also offers a China-inspired solution that can serve as a reference for the development of the global blue economy. (Hu Yueyao)

Excerpted from the November 25, 2025 issue of China Food Industry Magazine.