International Health - Marinova

Finalists

Find out about the Australian Export Award finalists across all national award categories. Be inspired by their success.

Marinova

Cambridge (Paredarerme), Tasmania.

Australian Export Awards bring Aussie exporters to the world

The Australian Export Awards provide opportunity for the country’s most innovative exporters to be recognised on the national stage. It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight your business to the world.

Paul Garrott, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Marinova takes Tassie seaweed to the world

More than 20 years ago, a small but dedicated team began harvesting an invasive seaweed introduced to Tasmanian waters.

It started as a desire to reduce the threat to marine biodiversity. It became an exciting new export opportunity for Australia.

Today, Marinova specialises in the research, development and export of fucoidan compounds – highly bioactive polysaccharides derived from seaweed.

Using 100% renewable energy, Marinova also diverts all seaweed residues away from unproductive landfill, converting it into organic additives for the horticulture sector.

Seriously sought-after seaweed

The 2025 winner of the Australian Export Awards International Health award category, Marinova extracts are sought after by the world’s most trusted nutraceutical brands.

Its products have made waves as premium ingredients in market-leading dietary supplements, food and beverages, animal health products and skincare formulations.

The company also collaborates with global research institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Its skilled team of scientists modify the seaweed compounds for use in medical devices, pharmaceutical research and clinical trials.

Scientific shifts drive strong global growth

Sales of Marinova’s fucoidans have increased by around 31% over the past financial year.

The company attributes this strong growth to a global shift towards scientifically validated compounds of natural origin.

Marinova has recently completed a $5 million expansion of its Hobart manufacturing facility. This has resulted in a tripling of production capacity to meet the rising global demand.

Leveraging Tasmanian quality on a global stage

The increasing availability of inferior competitor products is a key challenge for this Aussie exporter.

’We tackle this by leveraging the strategic advantages that define us as the world leader in our niche,’ says Paul Garrott, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Marinova.

One such advantage is Marinova’s Tasmanian location. ’Tasmanian hallmarks of quality, innovation and sustainability resonate with our global customer base,’ says Garrott.

‘Our sustained commitment to scientific rigour, advanced manufacturing and sustainability further carve out our position as the global leader in our field.’

Winning the International Health category at the Australian Export Awards shines a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of our hard-working team. It provides further confidence to our global customer base, enhancing our status as an Australian Trusted Trader and demonstrating our secure international supply chain.

Greece a giant growth market

In the past year, Marinova has increased its sales to Greece by more than 860%. The company expects exports to Greece to increase by another 50% in the coming year.

An ongoing strategic partnership with a Greek pharmaceutical company underpins this remarkable success.

The growth has allowed Marinova to further upskill its scientific team, accelerating its global leadership in fucoidan science.

Why exporting is a marathon, not a sprint

This industry leader sees exporting as a long-term game.

‘Strategically focus on one target market to begin with and become familiar with the detailed export requirements,’ Garrott advises.

‘Take it one step at a time and get it right before you expand.’

A new niche in South Korea

Marinova has identified South Korea as an emerging export market of interest.

‘The supplement market there is large and rapidly expanding, expected to reach over $11 billion by 2030,’ says Garrott.

Like other global markets, consumer preference for natural and functional ingredients is driving growth in South Korea.

Marinova is reviewing Korean opportunities and regulatory requirements with a view to entering the market within 2 years.

Australian Export Awards bring Aussie exporters to the world

For Marinova, being the winner of the International Health award category at the Australian Export Awards shines a spotlight on the achievements of its hard-working team.

The company was recognised as an Australian Export Awards national finalist in the Emerging award category back in 2005. It was also a Sustainability and Green Economy national finalist in 2024.

‘The Australian Export Awards provide opportunity for the country’s most innovative exporters to be recognised on the national stage,’ says Garrott. ‘It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight your business to the world.’

Visit Marinova website.

(Host) We now move into the final award before we break for our maze. It is the award for international health. This award is for outstanding success in the fields of health, medical or well-being and includes biotechnology, biosecurity, medical technology, digital health, e- health, aged care, disability, complimentary health, pharmaceuticals and related services.

(Voiceover)

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Marininoa

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SDI

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(Mark Birrell – Aus. Chamber of Commerce) On behalf of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it's a real pleasure to be able to present the International Health Award. Aki has been a supporter of these great awards since they were conceived 63 years ago and every year in between because great exporters do deserve to be recognised and then they become role models just like all the ones we've heard earlier today. This is a great list of finalists. The winner of the international health award is Marinova.

(Rod Shelley - Marinova) Well, thank you very much. He's a bit of a surprise, but I did prepare a little speech. Um, uh, Minister Ferrell, distinguished guests, fellow exporters, uh, good evening. Um, along with my amazing colleague, Amanda, uh, it is an absolute pleasure to accept this award. on behalf of Marinova's managing director and owner, Paul Garrett, who unfortunately can't be here tonight. Alongside his father, uh Paul founded Marinova back in 2003 with an exciting vision to transform an invasive seaweed species into high value exports for Australia.

Fast forward 22 years and Marinova is now recognized as the global leader in the provision of premium seaweed extracts. They are sought after in market leading dietary supplements, skin care and dermal health products, medical devices and in um groundbreaking pharmaceutical research. This award really is recognition for Marinova’s team back in Hobart who continue to work relentlessly to advance human health with bio bioactive compounds that are natural, sustainably sourced and backed by worldclass research program.

Um, thanks must go to Austrade and Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their support of these awards. And I want to shout out to the team at Trade Tasmania. Can we give them a round of applause back there, please? Who have not only supported Marinova over many years, but all of the Tasmanian exporters here tonight and many that have gone before. So, thank you to them.

Um, a huge thank you to our customers. Obviously, without customers, none of us are sitting here tonight. So, thank you. Um, and to and finally to you, um, all of the exporters and finalists. Uh, you all work very hard and very smart every day to bring amazing Australian products and services to the world. So, thank you very much.

(Host) Congratulations, Marinova. Now, because it's an invasive uh seaweed species, that means the business is um very sustainable.

(Rod Shelley - Marinova) Absolutely. The business started off the back of an invasive species of seaweed that came to Tasmania by trading ships back in the 1980s and '90s. Uh, and back then the state government sought uh ideas for for for value adding this product and trying to keep it under control so it doesn't take over those native species of seaweed and other flora and fauna in the Tasmanian coastline. And we've been very successful in continuing to harvest every year that species. Um and and that's really the the backbone of our business is the sustainability. Um that is absolutely what we live and breathe every day.

(Host) To get medical approvals, you need to a lot of part of research and development. Was there ever a time in the company's fledgling years that it was too much or you thought you'd give it away, it's too hard?

(Rod Shelley - Marinova) It's actually been the opposite and and the family from the very beginning have invested enormously every single year on ongoing research and development. We actually put about 20% of our gross revenue every year back into research and development because without that we don't have a future. We have to stay ahead of our competition and continually strive to to to bettering ourselves.

(Host) Congratulations. Uh wonderful good piece of advice there that invest in research and development for the future. Can you please give a round of applause to Marinova? Congratulations

International Health winner – Marinova. For the full transcript please visit the International Health Award 2025 - Marinova video on YouTube.

International Health finalists

National category winners

Agribusiness, Food and Beverages - Marquis Macadamias

For outstanding international success in the field of manufactured foods, beverages or agricultural products.

Creative Industries - Orbitkey

For outstanding international success in any creative industry.

e-Commerce - Humanitix

For outstanding international success selling goods or services to customers overseas via e-Commerce, including cross-border e-Commerce and online sales.