Extraction Economics Calculator

The default figures in this calculator are illustrative starting points for demonstration, not verified sector benchmarks. Replace them with your own operation’s numbers before relying on any result.

Model the economics of extracting one or more bioactive compounds from seaweed biomass. Toggle stages on and off to compare single-product vs. multi-product biorefinery scenarios.

Before you start

This calculator models a multi-product biorefinery where the same batch of biomass yields alginate, fucoidan, and laminarin in sequential extraction steps, each stage working on the residue left by the previous one. Defaults are based on BC kelp extraction trial data. Replace with your own lab yields and costs for accurate results.

A: Biomass Input

Wet biomass input per year (kg)?Biomass cost per kg wet ($)?Wet-to-dry ratio (e.g. 0.10 = 10 kg wet → 1 kg dry)?Pre-processing cost per kg dry ($)?

B: Extraction Stages

Each stage extracts from the residue left by the previous one. Fucoidan and laminarin yields are entered as % of residue at that stage — effective % of original dry biomass is shown in the results panel.

Stage 1: Alginateextracted from dry biomass

Yield (% of dry biomass)?Extraction cost per kg alginate ($)?Selling price per kg alginate ($)?Product purity (%)?

Output: 120 kg alginate/year @ 85% purity

Stage 2: Fucoidanfrom residue after Stage 1

Stage 3: Laminarinfrom residue after Stage 2

Spent biomass (final residue)always on

Selling price per kg (e.g. fertilizer/compost) ($)?

C: Annual Fixed Costs

Labour (annual $)?Facility and lab (annual $)?Energy (annual $)?Certification and testing (annual $)?Insurance (annual $)?Waste disposal (annual $)?Equipment CAPEX ($)?Equipment lifespan (years)?Equipment maintenance (% of CAPEX/year)?

Maintenance: $4,500.00/yr · Total fixed: $94,500.00/yr

D: Logistics and Packaging

Applied to extracted products only (alginate, fucoidan, laminarin). Not applied to spent biomass, which moves in bulk at negligible logistics cost.

Packaging cost per kg output ($)?Shipping cost per kg output ($)?

Total logistics: $90.00/yr on 120.00 kg extracted output

ℹ

Seeing a red loss? The defaults reflect a realistic small-scale single-product operation. The calculator is designed to surface what needs to change — yield, biomass cost, selling price, or additional extraction stages — rather than starting green. Use the contribution margin below as your primary diagnostic.

Contribution Margin per kg Wet Biomass?

$-2.00/kg wet

Revenue per kg wet$0.31

Variable cost per kg wet$2.31

Fix unit economics before scaling. Adding biomass volume amplifies this loss.

Net Profit / Loss?

$-114,462.00

1 active stage · -3,706.67% margin

Break-even Volume?

Not achievable at current unit economics

Resolve the contribution margin first. No volume of biomass covers a negative per-unit loss.

Maximum Allowable Biomass Cost?

$-9.51/kg wet

Target margin:%

Current biomass cost ($2.00/kg) exceeds this ceiling. Reduce other costs or increase selling prices.

Revenue breakdown

Alginate120.00 kg · 85% purity$3,000.00

Spent biomass880.00 kg$88.00

Total Revenue$3,088.00

Dry Biomass?

1,000.00 kg

Raw Material Cost?

$20,000.00

Logistics Cost?

$90.00

Total Variable Cost?

$23,050.00

Total Fixed Cost?

$94,500.00

Total Annual Cost?

$117,550.00

Profit Margin?

-3,706.67%

All-in Cost / kg Alginate (fully allocated)?

$979.58

Required Selling Price / kg (alginate)?

$978.85

Byproduct revenue credit (spent biomass)?

$88.00

System break-even revenue?

$117,550.00

Defaults are based on BC kelp extraction trial data and industry estimates. Replace with your own lab data for accurate results. CAPEX default ($150,000) covers extraction equipment only — full compliance-ready setup in Canada typically requires $300,000–$500,000+ including building renovation, permits, commissioning, and initial working capital.

Not sure what grade you are producing? Product Specifications Library →

Planning a processing facility? Facility Cost Explorer →

Looking for biomass supply to run extraction trials? Market Connections →