Alginor Biorefinery is setting a new standard in sustainable marine resource use by making full use of harvested kelp biomass without waste. Through their AORTA technology, Alginor Biorefinery is proving that we don’t need to harvest more — we just need to use what we have better. Discover how this third-generation biorefinery is reshaping the future of ocean-based innovation in the PROTEUS project.
At the heart of Norway’s western coast, ALGINOR Biorefinery AS (ABR), a subsidiary of Alginor ASA, is spearheading a transformative approach to kelp processing that could redefine how we think about marine biomass. As a central player in the PROTEUS project, ALGINOR Biorefinery is not just optimizing downstream processes — it’s championing a complete shift towards a zero-waste, high-value future for kelp biorefining.
A New Era for Marine Biomass
Kelp, particularly the species Laminaria hyperborea (known locally as “stortare”), represents a vast and largely untapped marine resource — with an estimated potential of 100 million tonnes. Traditionally, only a small fraction of harvested biomass has been utilised for alginate production, leaving as much as 85% of the material discarded as waste. The industry’s reliance on formaldehyde for preservation and processing has compounded this problem, making it impossible to extract anything beyond alginates from the biomass.
ALGINOR Biorefinery is changing that.
Meet AORTA: A Technological Breakthrough
At the core of ALGINOR’s mission is AORTA, a pioneering biorefinery technology platform designed for fractionation, extraction, and purification of all valuable substances in the kelp. AORTA operates through both parallel and sequential production lines, enabling the creation of six distinct product categories — ranging from high-purity alginates to fucoidans and cellulose — all from a single source of biomass.
What sets AORTA apart is its efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The process eliminates the use of formaldehyde entirely, reducing environmental impact and enabling the use of the whole kelp. Water usage is dramatically lowered, and what is used is recyclable.
From Pilot to Paradigm Shift
ALGINOR Biorefinery’s flexible pilot plant in Avaldsnes serves as the operational hub for scaling up these advanced biorefining processes. Through research and recent piloting efforts under the PROTEUS project, the company has validated the feasibility of its model — proving that full downstream utilisation of kelp is not only possible but commercially and ecologically sound.
The result? A third-generation biorefinery that moves beyond single-product extraction to offer a diverse product portfolio to six different market segments. More importantly, it’s a model built on respect for the resource: nothing is wasted, and every molecule of the kelp is valued.
Driving the Circular Bioeconomy
ALGINOR Biorefinery exemplifies the PROTEUS vision of a circular, sustainable bioeconomy. By unlocking the full potential of marine biomass, it is setting a new standard for how natural resources are harvested, preserved, and processed. The company’s unwavering commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability is paving the way for a cleaner, smarter future — where marine resources are no longer just harvested, but truly honoured.