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Kelp: Nature’s Green Gold Fuelling a Sustainable Future

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When we think of sustainable resources, towering underwater forests might not be the first image that comes to mind. Yet, kelp—a type of large brown seaweed—is making waves as a powerhouse of ecological and economic benefits.  

A Bounty Beneath the Waves

Kelp forests thrive in nutrient-rich, cold waters, with the largest concentrations found along the coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia—particularly in regions like the North Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and around Japan and Korea. In Europe, major kelp-producing areas include Norway, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland, where extensive wild kelp beds and cultivated farms support growing industries. Some species can grow up to half a metre per day, making them one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. This rapid growth results in vast biomass, offering a renewable resource ripe for various applications. 

Championing the Green Circular Bio-Based Economy

Kelp is a prime example of a sustainable resource supporting a green circular bio-based economy. Unlike land crops, kelp requires no arable land, fresh water, or fertilizers, making it a low-impact crop. Moreover, kelp farming can enhance marine ecosystems by absorbing excess nutrients from agricultural runoff and wastewater, preventing the overgrowth of harmful algae—a process known as eutrophication, or excessive nutrient build-up.  

Kelp also plays a key role in reducing carbon levels in the ocean. As it grows, it naturally absorbs carbon dioxide from seawater, much like forests absorb CO₂ from the air. Farming and harvesting kelp can contribute to climate action when part of the biomass is used in long-lasting products or stored in ways that prevent the carbon from quickly returning to the atmosphere.

A Versatile Asset Across Industries

Kelp’s unique properties make it a valuable resource across various sectors: 

  • Food: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, kelp is a nutritious addition to human diets. It’s widely used in Asian cuisine and is gaining global popularity as a health supplement. 
  • Animal Feed: Kelp can boost livestock health and even reduce methane emissions in cattle, making farming more sustainable. 
  • Personal Care: Rich in hydrating and anti-inflammatory compounds, kelp extracts are prized ingredients in skincare and cosmetic products. 
  • Industrial Applications: Kelp-derived compounds like alginates are used in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and as natural thickeners in food production. 

Outpacing Alternatives

Compared to land-based crops, kelp has several advantages: 

  • Growth Efficiency: Its rapid growth rate allows for multiple harvests annually, producing more biomass per area than many traditional crops. 
  • Environmental Benefits: Kelp farming doesn’t compete with food crops for land or water and helps absorb carbon from the ocean, supporting climate action. 
  • Economic Opportunities: Kelp farming can boost coastal economies, creating jobs and supporting local industries. 

Embracing Kelp for a Sustainable Tomorrow

With its vast potential, kelp is not just an environmental asset but also a driving force for innovation across industries. Recognising this, the PROTEUS project is dedicated to unlocking the full value of Europe’s brown macroalgae through sustainable processing technologies. 

The project brings together a strong consortium of partners working to transform kelp into high-value products. ALGINOR is leading the way by developing Europe’s first fully integrated industrial biorefinery in Norway, while industry leaders such as Vaessen-Schoemaker (food), OLMIX (animal feed), ESSITY (personal care), and BORREGAARD (industrial applications) are integrating kelp-based solutions into their sectors. Research and sustainability experts IMR, NORSUS, CLIC, and Steinbeis Innovation are also contributing their expertise, alongside affiliated entities Alginor Biorefinery and Hypomar, linked to Alginor ASA. 

As we seek sustainable solutions to global challenges, kelp stands out as a beacon of innovation. Its diverse applications not only drive economic growth but also align with environmental responsibility, embodying the essence of a green circular bio-based economy.  

Alginor ASA

Alginor is a fully integrated B2B biomarine ingredients company developing sustainable, high-value ingredients from brown macroalgae for uses in the medical, personal care, food, feed and agricultural industries. The company is developing an integrated value chain consisting of two primary businesses, including offshore harvesting of wild-caught raw materials through its own operated vessels, and valorisation of ingredients through biorefining. Alginor’s vision is to expand the availability and use of sustainably sourced ingredients based on Laminaria hyperborea – a self-renewable resource growing in abundance in Norway and Europe – through utilisation of all components in the biomass without using any harmful chemicals.

Main role in the project

Alginor plays a key role in the PROTEUS project as the project coordinator, overseeing the flagship biorefinery development from 2024 to 2028. Alginor is responsible for key aspects, including the sustainable harvesting of Laminaria hyperborea, biorefinery process innovations, and the commercialization of kelp-based product ingredients. Their focus is on converting bio-based side streams into valuable products, with the goal of minimizing waste and enhancing resource utilization. Through their leadership in various work packages, Alginor ensures the project’s alignment with industrial, environmental, and regulatory standards.

BORREGAARD AS

Borregaard operates one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable biorefineries. By using natural, renewable raw materials, we produce advanced and environmentally friendly biochemicals that can replace oil-based products. 
Utilising the different components of wood, we produce biopolymers, speciality cellulose, biovanillin, cellulose fibrils and bioethanol for a variety of applications in sectors such as agriculture and aquaculture, construction, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, foodstuffs, batteries and biofuels. We employ 1100 man-years in plants and sales offices in 13 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Strong innovation efforts is one of Borregaard’s strategic priorities. Long-standing research and development have resulted in solutions that respond to important long-term global challenges. Our sustainable products and solutions can play an important role in addressing some of the world’s greatest challenges: Population growth and climate change. 

Main role in the project

Borregaard will investigate fibrillation of cellulose derived from L.hyperborea to make microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) for use as a replacement for synthetic additives e.g., coatings, adhesives, surfactants and detergents.
Objective: To achieve a TRL of 7-8 in kelp-based ingredients into bio-based materials for industry applications.
Key performance targets include achieving an energy-efficient fibrillation process, maintaining or improving MFC quality compared to wood-based MFC, ensuring microbiological stability, increasing dry matter content, introducing unique MFC properties, and exceeding application performance achieved with wood-based MFC in selected applications.

NORSUS-Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research

NORSUS is a private not-for-profit research institute, established in 1988. We work with assessing environmental and resource efficiency and are one of Europes leading institutes in applying the life cycle approach on a wide variety of sectors.
NORSUS is leading WP 5 that will assess the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the value chains developed in the project.

INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is one of the largest marine research institutes in Europe, with about 1,050 employees. Our main activities are research, advisory work and monitoring for our Government and Parliament regarding national and international waters.
Our head office is in Bergen, Norway. We also have an office in Tromsø and research stations in Matre, Austevoll and Flødevigen. Our Research Vessel Department has ownership responsibility for the research vessels, which are our most important tools for collecting marine data, in addition to unmanned sea drones and installations. IMR also has several laboratories that analyze all types of physical and biological parameters in the samples taken by IMR’s monitoring and research programs.
Through its research and advice, IMR is contributing with eco system knowledge and advice for sustainable stock-, shellfish and kelp harvesting, and for kelp restauration, for a more sustainable aquaculture industry, and for safe, heathy and nutritious food.
We are a neutral knowledge provider, and we publish our research results in international science journals as well in report for stakeholder and the public as well as for local, national and international media.
The IMR is affiliated to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which provides around 50% of our funding. The rest of our funding comes from external research grants.

Our vision: Knowledge and advice for rich and clean oceans and coast zone.

Our ambition: We will be an international leader in marine research and advisory services.

Our values: All our work must be based on integrity, creativity, collaboration and respect.

Our social mission: Institute of Marine Research will be a leading supplier of knowledge relating to the sustainable management of the resources in our marine ecosystems and the whole food chain from the sea to the table.

ALGINOR BIOREFINERY AS (ABR), AVALDSNES (Norway)

ALGINOR BIOREFINERY AS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alginor ASA. It operates all downstream activities related to biorefining, including further development of all portfolio ingredients and the optimization of all process lines.

Main role in the project

ALGINOR Biorefinery operates the flexible biorefinery pilot plant, playing a central role in scaling up biorefinery processes and refining manufacturing methods to extract ingredients from kelp biomass.

HYPOMAR AS (Hypomar AS), HAUGESUND (Norway)

HYPOMAR AS specializes in sustainable marine harvesting and is responsible for organising and implementing harvesting and upstream operations. It has expertise in developing innovative techniques for seaweed harvesting. Hypomar AS is a 100% owned subsidiary of Alginor ASA.

Main role in the project

Hypomar’s primary role is to lead the harvesting activities within the project. They provide the essential kelp harvesting vessels and equipment, ensuring a consistent and high-quality supply of biomass for the biorefinery process.

PROTEUS-Partners in Norway

ALGINOR ASA (Alginor), HAUGESUND (Norway)

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BORREGAARD AS (BORREGAARD), SARPSBORG (Norway)

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NORSUS NORSK INSTITUTT FOR BAEREKRAFTSFORSKNING AS (NORSUS), KRAKEROY (Norway)

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INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH (IMR), BERGEN (Norway)

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ALGINOR BIOREFINERY AS (ABR), AVALDSNES (Norway)

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HYPOMAR AS (Hypomar AS), HAUGESUND (Norway)

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CLIC Innovation Ltd

CLIC Innovation Ltd is a non-profit company based on public-private-partnership model.

Our mission is to build and manage open innovation collaboration between companies, academia and other relevant stakeholder qroups in bioeconomy, energy and circular economy themes. We address systemic challenges, that arise from the scarcity of natural resources and drive green system transition. Our aim is to create additional value to our partners by building, coordinating, and managing R&D&I projects to construct systemic solutions, which are beyond the resources of individual operators.

We are experts in open innovation facilitation and boosting communication, dissemination, exploitation and impact for RDI activities. We drive the transition with our open innovation ecosystems and projects with quadruple helix approach.

We contribute to developing a more favourable innovation environment in EU.

CLIC is leading the work package WP6 – Commercialisation Strategy & Exploitation. The objective is to enhance the successful market uptake and replication of the PROTEUS biorefinery concept across Europe and the commercialization of the bio-based products derived from this process. The main activities include:

  • Assessment of the techno-economic viability of the biorefinery concept and its products.
  • Implementing strategies to protect and commercially exploit the foreground knowledge generated during PROTEUS.
  • Designing an Exploitation, Business and Commercialization Plans for the seaweed biorefinery and its products.
  • Developing commercial scenarios and value chains for the technologies developed.

CLIC is also participating in the work packages WP5 and WP7.

STEINBEIS INNOVATION GGMBH

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (SEZ) is an independent economic entity within the Steinbeis Foundation. It was founded in March 1990 as the operational unit of the Commissioner for Europe of Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economics. SEZ’s core activity is to promote European Research and Technology Development programmes and to support cross-border technology transfer.
SEZ supports small and medium-sized enterprises on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing of Baden-Württemberg. At the same time, it supports Universities of Applied Sciences on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg.
Moreover, SEZ is involved in several EU-funded projects (more than 70 in 2023) as either partner or coordinator, taking over tasks related to dissemination, communication, exploitation or financial and administrative project management.

Main role in the project

SEZ is project partner and leader of work package 5 Dissemination, Communication and Exploitation of Results. In this context, SEZ is responsible for
Design strategic communication of the project objectives and actions and engagement strategy to achieve optimal visibility activities increasing awareness, engagement, acceptance and fostering uptake of the MULTICLIMACT results, facilitating knowledge transfer and sustainability at Europeans and local level.
Design the D&C tools needed to initiate and implement the strategy. Establishment of activities to the community and dissemination strategy.
Clarification of expected project results, their use beyond the project and partners’ contributions, as well as IP management (such as ownership protection and access rights) throughout the project.

ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AB

Essity Hygiene and Health AB is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Essity develop, produce and sell products and solutions within the Business Areas Personal Care, Consumer Tissue and Professional Hygiene.

Main role in the project

Essity´s role in the project is to evaluate the performance of newly developed super absorbing algae-based materials from Alginor

OLMIX

Olmix was created in 1995, in Bréhan, at the heart of Brittany, from the desire to provide natural alternatives to agricultural additives. From the start, Olmix Group has innovated in transforming by-products into high-value ingredients, from raw materials such as trace elements and opportunist seaweed species. It is today a global company specialized in developing, producing and distributing high-value biosourced solutions for livestock and crop farming in more than 100 countries across the world.

Main role in the project

Olmix will evaluate the regulatory compliance of the biorefinery products developed from the brown alga Laminaria hyperborea by Alginor for use in the feed sector. The compatible products will be screened on in vitro models to determine their potential applications and used as ingredients for the development of products aiming to reinforce animal health and performance. The Proteus project gives us the opportunity to evaluate a new seaweed resource complementary to our red and green seaweed actives from our biorefinery in Bréhan, France.

Vaess, Dutch food engineers

Vaess is a pioneering Dutch company in the food industry, dedicated to innovation and quality since 1946. As food engineers, we specialize in developing cutting-edge solutions across a wide range of categories, including meat, seafood, bakery products, plant-based alternatives, and pet food. Our expertise lies in creating products that not only meet the highest standards of taste and texture but also prioritize sustainability and operational efficiency.
Through close collaboration with our customers and partners, we strive to enhance product quality, optimize production processes, and minimize food waste. Our commitment to innovation drives us to continually explore new concepts and technologies, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the evolving food landscape. At Vaess, we believe in shaping the future of food, delivering solutions that are both delicious and responsible.

We are responsible for assessing the by-products generated from the sustainable cultivation and harvesting of seaweed, focusing on their suitability for food applications. This includes a thorough analysis of the functionality and organoleptic properties of these by-products. Additionally, we evaluate the route to market, potential sales channels, and regulatory applicability to ensure that the products meet all relevant requirements and standards.