Research project In response to climate change, the EU is promoting value chains across industries. The EU-funded LOCALITY project seeks to create sustainable algae value chains in countries near the Baltic and North Seas. These chains will explore synergies between algae producers and waste-generating sectors, using algae biomass for sustainable products in food, aquafeed, agriculture, and textiles. The algae industry offers a promising solution through collaboration with other sectors.
The EU-funded Locality project uses algae cultivation for wastewater management and industrial circularity while promoting algae-based product development and market adoption. Its main goal is to create circular, sustainable value chains by linking industries to co-create innovative algae products for regional and global markets, while protecting Europe's aquatic ecosystems. Umeå University leads consumer studies, as part of Work Packages 8 and 9 conducting cross-country surveys on algae-based food acceptance to drive a healthy, sustainable food transition in Europe.
LOCALITY will implement local, innovative, and sustainable value chains, supporting the interaction of the algae value chain actors with relevant waste stream producing industries. Three regional ecosystems will be strategically developed in key regions considering strong and active businesses on which the reutilization of wasted nutrients for algae cultivation will improve circularity and sustainability. These ecosystems will be positioned in the Baltic and North Sea bordering countries but will be multi-perspectively supported by other R&D and experienced industrial partners in sustainable algae production.The biomass will be processed using a biorefinery approach, and raw and treated ingredients will be applied in the food, aquafeed, agriculture, and textile markets.
An integrative methodology involving R&D partners, industry, and SMEs will work in each market sector to develop innovative and sustainable algae-based products. The consumer readiness for the designed products will be assessed, and significant constraints and legal barriers will be identified. Those will be evaluated and integrated into the business model to prepare for successful market implementation and exploitation of the developed products. A dissemination and communication plan for maximum outreach to all relevant stakeholders will be implemented. The designed products will gain a strong position in the European marketplace in the coming years.
