The Norwegian Seaweed Biorefinery Platform

The Norwegian  Seaweed  Biorefinery  Platform shall serve as a hub for research, knowledge,  methodology  and  stakeholder networks.  The platform  will aid  in  the  regulation  of macroalgae cultivation and harvesting industries, and in characterisation of macroalgae‐derived products.

Research in the project will focus on characterisation of the biomass, development of technology enabling future economically and envi‐ ronmentally sustainable biorefinery processes, and establishment of high‐value and bulk product pipelines.

The  Norwegian  Seaweed  Biorefinery  Platform  (SBP‐N)  is  a five‐year project  funded  by  the  Research  Council  of  Norway starting in 2019. This is a national consortium generated to coordinate the efforts of research institutions toward an in‐ creased and sustainable Norwegian seaweed‐based industry.

Juvenile sugar kelp cultivated on twine (Photo: SINTEF Ocean)

 

Our research

WP1: Project management and education

Project management and education. Lead (L): NTNU, Participating (P), all partnersThe project manager Prof. Finn L. Aachmann will be responsible for the technical and strategic projectmanagement

WP2: Characterisation

The main objective is characterisation and analysis of the biological effects, physical parameters and chemical composition of the biomass and process fractions from WP3 and products from WP4. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be made available for authorities and stakeholders in WP6.

WP 3: Seaweed biorefineries

The main objective is to establish methods, process steps and new tools and technologies to enable future sustainable large-scale handling, pre-processing and fractionation of seaweed to multiple products.

WP 4: Products and applications

The main objective is to further process, refine and modify extracts, fractions and compounds obtained by the processes established in WP3, towards end products and potential applications. This will be performed in close contact with stakeholders connected to the platform through WP6 and will create a basis for establishing new projects with industrial partners.

WP 5: Sustainability and techno-economical evaluations

The main objective is to develop models for the technological, environmental and economic feasibility of new value chains, that can be used as tools to guide decisions in SBP-N and future projects.

WP6: Communication

The main objective is to create arenas facilitating increased collaboration and exchange of knowledge between various actors involved in all stages and phases of seaweed utilization in Norway.

WP 7: Responsible research and innovation

The main objective is to map research trajectories and societal ramifications and engage partners, stakeholders and the public to ensure socially robust research and innovation in SBP-N