Biomarina industries get a new West Swedish arena

Biomass from the sea has great potential to be developed into various materials, bioactive substances, food and other products for us humans. We are now gearing up with a new collaboration platform for biomarine industries with the aim of contributing to concrete solutions in the transition to a fossil-free society. 

- We are seeing more ideas and businesses around marine bioresources. It's about making better use of what we take from the sea. There are development opportunities in areas such as bio-based materials, dyes and bioactive substances for various applications," says Fredrik Grund, project manager for the collaboration platform at Innovatum Science Park. 

The collaborative platform for biomarine industries brings together companies, academia and the public sector to build knowledge, apply research results and highlight business potential. The project will also establish two test bed environments. One will make it possible to test methods for anti-fouling in the sea. The other test bed is a marine biorefinery to better utilize residual streams from, for example, seafood production. To build up the biomarine industry, the entire chain from sea to product needs to be reviewed and new companies may be established here.  

- The industry being developed today must obviously contribute to a sustainable transition of society and to climate-smart solutions. It's about building your business while helping to reduce environmental impact," says Fredrik Grund. 

The collaboration platform is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in marine biotechnology and seafood. It will also include broad participation from academia and other organizations working to develop new biomarine industries.  

- "We have seen a need for a collaborative platform that focuses on the needs of small businesses. Together with other important initiatives in our region, the platform creates further conditions for realizing the potential of the blue companies and thus taking another step for the transition to a more sustainable society, says Jessica Hjerpe Olausson, maritime expert at Region Västra Götaland, which co-finances the project.