Vegetable biomass from sea

Summary

Seaweed is a worldwide growing market. By means of, for instance, a sustainable alternative protein source, or a source for biofuels, seaweed can negotiate challenges of worlwide sigificance, including a circular economy.

This project substantiates the motion that was presented by the D66 and VVD parties in the Provincial Council of North Holland, and agreed by the provincial government (Statenvoordracht 70: Zeewier als energiebron). The Province of North Holland has expressed the ambition to play up in the market developing seaweed. This project of the North Holland knowledge institutes is a combination of 'thinking' and 'doing'; a mix of academic knowledge and pioneering companies organized around the existing facilities in North Holland. The project aims to build an infrastructure of knowledge aimed at developing relevant knowledge, activity and innovation.

The project consists of three work packages:

1. A market analysis of the entire seaweed chain tailored to the question of where in the chain the greatest opportunities for economic development occur.
2. To set up a knowledge network; an interaction between scientists and entrepreneurs geared to innovation and start-ups.
3. A concrete design of a seaweed value chain; a semi-commercial seaweed chain that is scalable and attracts commercial activity.

With this project, the authors want to prepare for the growing interest in seaweed and ensure that the development of seaweed chain and the related investment and jobs arrive in North Holland.

Aquaculture, or fish farming, is a rapidly growing sector worldwide. Fishermen depend on fishmeal for fish feed. Thus far, this flour is produced from wild-caught fish, but that is not quite a sustainable method, while it impedes further growth of the aquaculture sector. The fish food industry is looking for alternative protein sources. Seaweed can be such a sustainable alternative.

Subsidy: Province of North Holland
Partners: ECN, WMR, NIOZ

For more information on this topic please contact Klaas Timmermans.