Progress report for
Supporting European blue bio-economy
Achievement at a glance
Algae is gaining widespread recognition in Europe as an important resource as a raw material for a wide range of uses. A CORDIS results pack highlights 9 EU-funded projects that are investigating industrial processes and applications involving microalgae and seaweed. Uses range from algae as a nutraceutical, as an organic sunscreen, for fertiliser and for treating wastewater.BlueBio ERA-NET Co-fund is a partnership between 30 partners from 17 countries with the ambition to strengthen Europe’s position in the blue bioeconomy. It had an overall budget of EUR 25,5 million and ran until May 2024. Its goal is to identify new and improve existing ways of bringing bio-based products and services to the market and creating value from the blue bioeconomy. Areas include: identifying ocean biodiversity hotspots, applying IoT, machine learning and big data to the blue bioeconomy and harnessing microbiomes’ potential to support growth in aquaculture, fisheries, food processing, biotechnology and value from waste.
The EU’s bioeconomy strategy contributes to restoring ecosystems, for example achieving plastic-free oceans and seas. The BlueMed pilot action – supported by 10 Mediterranean countries – is an initiative mobilising stakeholders, sharing knowledge and solutions, promoting partnerships and raising awareness to tackle plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
Next Steps
Benedicte CaremierBeneficiaries
Various stakeholders in the framework of the blue bioeconomy.
Actions
A policy document ‘Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector' was adopted in November 2022.In January 2023, a report was published with an overview of latest developments of micro- and macroalgae cultivation systems in the EU and the world EU blue bioeconomy report is out.