Transforming marine biomass into sustainable ingredients for food and feed
MARMADE is built on two complementary and fully circular value chains that demonstrate how underexploited marine resources can be transformed into high-value, bio-based ingredients. By focusing on crustacean residues and seaweed biomass, the project applies advanced biorefinery techniques to create functional compounds for food and feed, while reducing waste, supporting coastal economies, and strengthening Europe’s blue bioeconomy.
Value chain 1
Crustacean residues
From seafood side-streams to high-value bioactives
This value chain focuses on the valorisation of crustacean residues, including shrimp shells and blue crab that are typically discarded in large quantities by fisheries and seafood processing industries. Through sustainable, closed-loop biorefinery processes, MARMADE partners recover valuable compounds such as chitosan, oils, peptides, astaxanthin, and carbonate.
These ingredients carry strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutritional properties, making them suitable for next-generation food and feed applications. By turning seafood waste into valuable resources, MARMADE reduces environmental impacts, promotes circular practices, and unlocks new business opportunities for regional supply chains.
Key focus areas:
- Valorisation of shrimp and blue crab residues
- Extraction through green, solvent-recycling technologies
- Production of functional and nutritional compounds
- Circular, zero-waste biorefinery approαch
Value chain 2
Unlocking the potential of Europe’s diverse marine algae
The second MARMADE value chain harnesses the potential of seaweed, including green (Ulva, Codium), brown (Alaria, Rugulopteryx), and red (Palmaria, Gracilaria), species sourced from aquaculture systems, coastal environments, and beach-cleaning activities. Seaweed is a fast-growing, renewable biomass rich nutrients and bioactive compounds with applications in health-promoting foods and functional feeds.
Using advanced extraction and separation techniques, MARMADE produces compounds such as fucoidan, polyphenols, polysaccharides, pigments, and fatty acids. Beyond its innovation potential, this value chain supports ecosystem resilience by also valorising invasive seaweed species, transforming an environmental challenge into a sustainable resource.
Key focus areas:
- Sustainable use of cultivated and invasive seaweed
- Recovery of high-purity bioactive molecules
- Prebiotic, antioxidant, and nutritional compounds
- Contribution to healthier, plant-based food and feed solutions
A combined pathway to a sustainable blue bioeconomy
Together, these two value chains demonstrate how marine biomass can drive circularity, reduce waste, and create new value for industries, consumers, and coastal communities. By integrating scientific innovation with responsible resource use, MARMADE contributes to Europe’s transition toward sustainable, resilient, and healthier food and feed systems.