A team of scientists in Barbados is developing a way to produce synthetic gasoline using Sargasso seaweed, an invasive species that has plagued the island’s shores.
The invasive Sargasso seaweed has been a long-standing issue for Barbados.
Described as "incredibly difficult to cope with," the seaweed accumulates in massive amounts along the coastline.
"Tourism has suffered significantly," says project manager Legena Henry to the BBC, adding that hotels have spent millions trying to manage the problem.
Now, researchers have found a way to transform this environmental nuisance into a valuable resource.
By combining waste water, seaweed, and agricultural byproducts, the team has created a synthetic gasoline that can power standard internal combustion engines.
According to the researchers, cars can run on the seaweed-derived gasoline without major modifications.
But vehicles need to be converted initially, a process that costs approximately $2,500 and takes about four hours.
A Viable Alternative for Cars
This breakthrough offers a potential lifeline for internal combustion engines, which are under increasing scrutiny as the automotive industry shifts toward electric vehicles.
Sargasso isn’t the only invasive species being tapped for practical use.
In other parts of the world, harmful starfish are being processed into an eco-friendly alternative to road salt.
Meanwhile, automakers like BMW are exploring synthetic diesel options, such as HVO 100, which offers 90% lower CO₂ emissions compared to traditional diesel.
However, synthetic fuels remain a polarizing topic.
Critics, including Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer, argue that such solutions are inefficient and unsustainable for passenger cars. Schäfer dismissed synthetic fuels as "a waste of time and resources" earlier this year.
What’s Next?
The Barbados research team has already applied for a patent on their process, and the potential for scaling up production could make this a global solution to both environmental and fuel-related challenges.
