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HAVBRUK2-Stort program for havbruksforskning

The Norwegian Seaweed Biorefinery Platform (SBP-N)

Alternative title: Nasjonal plattform for tare bioraffineri

Awarded: NOK 34.0 mill.

Project Number:

294946

Application Type:

Project Period:

2019 - 2024

Subject Fields:

Seaweed has been an important marine resource for Norwegian society, for example as food, for livestock and fertilizer. After the Research Council's establishment of a national knowledge platform for kelp to support the entire value chain from cultivation and harvesting to processing, product development/production, there is increased attention for the seaweed resources along our long cold coastline in the society. Harvesting seaweed for alginate extraction is a well-established industry in Norway, and recently the cultivation of seaweed has also emerged as an increasingly large player in aquaculture. In 2023, more than 700 tons of cultivated kelp were harvested in Norway, and expectations for growth in the industry are high. To utilize kelp for food or feed purposes, maintaining stringent quality control over the raw material is crucial. The Seaweed Biorefinery Platform has played a significant role in advancing analysis methods for key quality parameters, including iodine content and sugar analyses. New publications on iodine reduction and variation in biomass during the harvesting period are set to be released. The development of efficient pre-processing methods is a main research area for the platform, and.crucialfor the industry, that has a very short harvesting season. During 2023, we have investigated acid preservation and its impact on the alginate quality extracted from the kelp, with forthcoming publication. Additionally, the effects of acid preservation on the taste, and on other molecules within the kelp is initiated this year. Through the biorefining concept, several products have been identified to be characterized further. The overarching goal behind this biorefining approach is to enhance industry profitability by maximizing the conversion of raw materials into valuable products. Lately, we have been working on extracting cellulose from seaweed, and it is currently under evaluation for use in textile spinning. Further, we are exploring other industrial applications where cellulose from wood is currently utilized. The seaweed biorefinery platform has been actively engaged in organizing scientific conferences this year. The first conference, the Seaweed Applications Conference, took place at Jægtvolden outside Trondheim from March 22nd to 24th, attracting over 70 national and international participants. The second conference, held in collaboration with SeAgriculture EU on June 21st-22nd, in Trondheim, gathered around 200 national and international participants. The platform has also extended its outreach beyond scientific publications. It organized an open dialogue meeting with tastings at Kulturhuset in Oslo on October 24th. Additionally, the platform actively contributes to conferences, fairs, and Forskningsdagene, establishing a substantial presence in the academic environment, industry, and society at large.

Seaweed represents an important marine biomass with the potential for being utilized as food, feed and other industrial and high value applications beneficial to the society. Norway has well established industry based on harvested seaweed, but so far limited seaweed aquaculture. Nevertheless, seaweed cultivation is expected to form the basis for future industry with a significant economic potential. Norway has unique opportunities to expand the seaweed aquaculture where several competitive advantages such as a long coast line, available areas for cultivation, and clean and cold water form prefect conditions for cultivation of large volumes of brown algae. Furthermore, Norway has broad knowledge in development of sea-based industries (oil, aquaculture, fisheries), and a strong research community focusing on marine innovations. The Norwegian Research council has via HAVBRUK2 called for a national researcher driven knowledge platform on processing and biorefining of seaweed biomass. Accordingly, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, SINTEF, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Nofima and Møreforsking have created a consortium for establishing The Norwegian Seaweed Biorefinery Platform. The consortium represents the national forefront of seaweed research along the entire value chain from cultivation, harvesting, processing and refining to end products. By establishing the envisioned platform, the partners aim at coordinating the efforts of research institutions and industry toward an increased and sustainable seaweed-based industry in Norway. A major output of the project is a basis for new industry-oriented projects targeting biorefinery, improved product pipelines and new market opportunities. Importantly, Norwegian companies currently utilizing or with an expressed interest in seaweeds have confirmed their association to the platform. The involvement of these stakeholders is considered vital for development of future seaweed biorefinery concepts.

Publications from Cristin

Funding scheme:

HAVBRUK2-Stort program for havbruksforskning