Seaweed Applications 2019 - Challenges and Opportunities

Brown algae (seaweed) is a vast renewable resource, where the seaweed and seaweed-derived products have multiple present and potential future applications within food and feed, energy, materials, biomedicine, and more. The focus areas of ongoing seaweed research is, among others, characterization of the seaweed biomass and derived products, developing more efficient and sustainable biorefineries for improved exploitation of the biomass, novel applications of seaweed-derived fractions and biomolecules. With the emerging "Blue Bioeconomy" in Europe aiming toward increased valorisation of marine biomasses, there is an increasing international interest in seaweed for product development or as a raw material feedstock in large industrial processes. With the initiation of a National Seaweed Biorefinery Platform, now is the time to coordinate the national effort, connect with key international stakeholders, and discuss the future of seaweed research and industry. The first Seaweed Applications conference will take place at Jægtvolden Fjordhotell, Inderøy, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, September 4th-6th, 2019. It will be organized by SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, alongside NTNU Department of Biotechnology and Food Science. The organizing committee will handle all practical arrangements and direct the presentation sessions for a wide audience of various backgrounds and interests. The conference will have approximately 20 speakers from nationally and internationally leading researchers, industry representatives, as well as from interest groups and authorities. The conference will further have an intimate setting with social events and excursions for networking and strengthening existing collaborations.