Key collection areas include the coast of Norway for Laminaria hyperborea, the Pacific coast of Chile for Lessonia nigrescens, and the Californian coast for Macrocystis pyrifera. These areas offer nutrient-rich waters and stable marine conditions ideal for algal growth.

The concerning brown algae are brown to olive green, range from 1 to over 30 m in length, and feature band-like or branched thalli, often with buoyancy bladders.

Algae are either wild-harvested (e.g., Norway, Chile) or cultivated (e.g., China, Korea). Harvesting is done manually or mechanically. Post-harvest steps include washing, drying, milling, alkaline extraction, and conversion of alginic acid to sodium alginate, followed by drying.