Algae are moving steadily from a promising biological resource to an increasingly important feedstock for Europe’s circular bioeconomy. In a recent article, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) highlighted how microalgae and seaweed are being transformed into ingredients and materials for food, feed, cosmetics, chemicals and other bio-based applications, while new projects are helping overcome the technological and economic barriers that have so far limited large-scale deployment.

Their potential lies in both their versatility and their production characteristics. Microalgae and macroalgae can provide valuable proteins, lipids, pigments, carbohydrates and other compounds and, in many cultivation systems, can be produced without competing directly for agricultural land. This makes them particularly relevant as Europe looks for renewable resources that can support more resilient and sustainable value chains.

Scientific results can only create impact if they reach the people who can understand, use, and build on them. Within MARMADE, Work Package 7 connects the project’s research with audiences and stakeholders beyond the consortium through communication, dissemination and exploitation.

As WP7 Leader, Stella Bazdani from ena Development Consultants coordinates these activities, helping ensure that MARMADE’s work and results reach the right people in a clear and meaningful way.

“WP7 is really about creating the bridge between the work happening within the consortium and the world outside it.”

Reaching different audiences requires different approaches. Researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, consumers and the wider public have different interests and information needs. MARMADE therefore uses a mix of channels and formats, including the project website, social media, newsletters, videos, interviews, infographics, events and scientific dissemination.

“There is no single communication approach that works for everyone, so our strategy starts with understanding who we want to reach and what information is relevant to them,” Stella says.

An important part of WP7 is also making complex scientific topics accessible beyond the research community, while keeping the meaning of the science accurate. At the same time, communication helps connect MARMADE’s results with people who may use them, creating opportunities for collaboration and supporting their future uptake.

“For us, communication is not simply about making MARMADE more visible. It is about helping people understand why the work matters.”

Together, communication, dissemination and exploitation help extend the reach of MARMADE’s research and strengthen its potential for impact beyond the project itself.

Turning marine biomass into valuable food and feed ingredients requires more than identifying promising compounds. It also requires efficient, sustainable and carefully designed processes to recover them. Within MARMADE, Work Package 2 focuses on developing the biorefinery approaches that make this transformation possible.

As Work Package 2 Leader, Associate Professor Serena Gabrielli from the University of Camerino (UNICAM) coordinates the development of sustainable processes for extracting high-quality building blocks from marine biomass, following a zero-waste concept.

WP2 focuses on optimising extraction methodologies and technologies to obtain high-purity biomolecules and produce quality ingredients for use in subsequent stages of the project. Its activities cover three main areas: developing selective extraction methodologies for crustacean residues, optimising extraction technologies for seaweed biomass, and integrating the best-performing processes into an overall workflow.

A key element of this work is MARMADE’s cascading biorefinery approach, which uses sequential extraction methods to maximise the valorisation of the different components contained in marine biomass. Technologies such as supercritical CO₂ extraction, Deep Eutectic Solvents, the Naviglio extractor and ultrasound are being explored to recover valuable compounds including lipids, astaxanthin, proteins and chitin/chitosan.

“MARMADE employs cascading biorefinery approaches to marine biomass by sequential extraction methods that maximise the valorisation of all biomass components.”

The approach goes beyond extraction efficiency alone. The project aims to optimise process parameters, integrate the most effective technologies and evaluate the overall process from a Life Cycle Assessment perspective, helping ensure that the selected pathways are aligned with environmental sustainability objectives.

Moving from laboratory-scale extraction to scalable and sustainable processes, however, presents several challenges. Marine biomass can vary considerably making process standardisation more difficult. At the same time, technologies must be scalable, energy-efficient and cost-effective while maintaining the quality and purity of the recovered biomolecules.

Waste management, regulatory compliance and the need to minimise environmental impacts add further complexity.

“Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration.” explains Serena

Optimising extraction processes and integrating the best-performing approaches are key to MARMADE’s goal of effectively valorising marine biomass. Through innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration, WP2 is working towards high-quality ingredients for future food and feed applications. 

MARMADE was represented at the 4th International Aquatic Biotechnology Symposium – AQUABIOTECH 2026, held in Naples, Italy, from 9–11 September 2026. The international symposium brought together researchers and experts working across aquatic biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture and related areas, providing an important setting for scientific exchange and discussion.

Representing the University of Camerino (UNICAM) and contributing to the visibility of MARMADE, Dr Germana Borsetta, Fardin Abdi and Elettra Della Ceca presented research closely connected to the project’s focus on the sustainable valorisation of marine biomass.

From crustacean residues to valuable compounds

During the symposium, Fardin Abdi presented the oral contribution “Evaluation and Valorization of Shrimp Shell Waste for Astaxanthin Recovery: Effect of Drying and Extraction Methods”. The work explored approaches for recovering astaxanthin from shrimp shell residues, highlighting opportunities to transform marine processing side streams into valuable resources.

Elettra Della Ceca presented “From Waste to Value: Eco-friendly Astaxanthin Extraction from Blue Crab Shell”, focusing on environmentally friendly approaches for recovering astaxanthin from blue crab shells. Both oral contributions were presented within the symposium session on Biotechnology of Aquatic Sustainable Aquaculture.

The presentations generated questions and discussion among participants, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge on common scientific challenges and explore potential future collaborations.

Exploring the valorisation potential of the Atlantic blue crab

Dr Germana Borsetta contributed to the symposium with the poster “From invasive species to economic resource: Valorization and market perspectives of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)”.

Her contribution brought an additional perspective to the discussion by examining how an invasive marine species can be approached not only as an environmental challenge, but also as a potential resource within emerging circular value chains. The work addressed both valorisation opportunities and market perspectives, closely reflecting the broader interest in creating value from underutilised marine resources.

Together, the three contributions highlighted complementary dimensions of marine biomass valorisation, from extraction and recovery processes to wider questions of resource use and market potential.

Participation in AQUABIOTECH 2026 offered a valuable opportunity to share research linked to MARMADE’s scientific scope, engage with the international aquatic biotechnology community and open new perspectives for future exchange and collaboration.The project continues to strengthen its links with researchers and stakeholders working towards more circular and resource-efficient bio-based solutions, while contributing to discussions on the sustainable use of marine resources.

Creating innovative bio-based ingredients is only part of MARMADE’s mission. Understanding their environmental, social, and economic impacts is equally important to ensure they contribute to a truly sustainable and circular bioeconomy.

In this edition of Voices of MARMADE, we meet Dr Benyamin Khoshnevisan from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), who leads Work Package 5 and coordinates the sustainability assessment of MARMADE solutions across their full value chains. 

“As WP5 Leader, my role is to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability performance of MARMADE solutions across their full value chains.” explains Khoshnevisan.

WP5 evaluates the environmental, social and economic impacts of marine-based food and feed ingredients. Its work follows a Safe and Sustainable by Design approach, integrating life cycle thinking from the early stages of development. 

The team applies quantitative assessment methods including Life Cycle Assessment, Social Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis. These dimensions are then integrated through Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, allowing alternative solutions to be compared and potential trade-offs between sustainability dimensions to be explored.

“This approach ensures that sustainability is systematically embedded into the development and optimization of processes and products.” Khoshnevisan

WP5 also explores the potential of AI-assisted quantitative assessment to support robust and trustworthy decision-making during the early stages of innovation. This could help researchers assess possible sustainability outcomes while technologies and processes are still being developed.

Evaluating the full life cycles of marine-based ingredients, however, involves significant challenges. Early-stage technologies are often accompanied by limited data and uncertainty regarding future technological development. Sustainability results may also be influenced by broader socio-economic changes, including the evolution of energy systems.

The complexity of marine biomass systems presents another challenge. Feedstocks can vary considerably, while different processing pathways and approaches to co-product valorisation may lead to different outcomes. In addition, comparing alternative solutions requires decisions on how environmental, social, economic and safety indicators should be weighted.

“While multiple sustainability dimensions can be assessed, determining how to weigh different indicators in decision-making remains a key question when comparing alternative solutions.” says Khoshnevisan.

Embedding these assessments throughout the development process helps MARMADE identify trade-offs, compare alternative pathways and guide the design of solutions with stronger environmental, social and economic performance.

Developing innovative bio-based ingredients is only part of MARMADE’s ambition. Ensuring that these solutions meet the needs of consumers, stakeholders, and the market is equally important. Within the project, Work Package 6 helps bridge scientific research with the people who will ultimately shape, use, and benefit from its results.

As Work Package 6 Leader, Maurizia Castellari and Alessia Carecciafrom APRE coordinate activities on stakeholder engagement, consumer acceptance, and the Multi-Actor Approach, helping ensure that MARMADE’s research is shaped through collaboration across the entire value chain.

“The focus of WP6 is to integrate stakeholders’ and consumers’ perspectives into research activities from the early stages, fostering co-creation processes and aligning product development with market needs, societal expectations, and regulatory requirements.” explain Castellari and Careccia.

To achieve this, MARMADE follows a structured engagement process that began with desk research, stakeholder mapping and the creation of a stakeholder registration platform. Throughout the project, stakeholders and end-users will continue to contribute through surveys, workshops and dedicated meetings, providing valuable feedback that supports the scientific work packages and helps shape the project’s research and innovation activities. 

Among the planned activities are two experimental kitchen sessions, where professional chefs will test the ingredients developed within MARMADE in real culinary applications. 

“These sessions will allow us to gather practical insights and validate the ingredients’ performance from a professional gastronomic perspective.” says Castellari.

Maintaining active stakeholder participation throughout a four-year project is not without challenges. Beyond identifying the right stakeholders, the project must sustain their engagement over time and ensure that their contributions are reflected in project outcomes. 

“Stakeholder fatigue can occur, but it can be effectively mitigated by making stakeholders aware that their contributions can really drive meaningful change, as well as by clearly integrating their feedback into project outcomes.” Castellari and Careccia note.

The team also highlights that engaging stakeholders in highly technical research projects requires close collaboration with the scientific partners to ensure that the right expertise is involved at every stage. 

Continuous dialogue with stakeholders and end-users helps keep MARMADE’s research grounded in real needs and expectations. In this way, WP6 strengthens the relevance, acceptance, and future market readiness of the project’s solutions.

Every successful bio-based innovation starts with the right raw materials. Within MARMADE, Work Package 1 lays the foundation for the entire project by ensuring that sustainable marine biomass is identified, characterised, and made available for the development of high-value food and feed ingredients.

As Work Package 1 Leader, Dr Erik-jan Malta from CTAQUA coordinates the activities related to biomass sourcing and sustainable cultivation, ensuring that the project has access to reliable, high-quality marine resources.

“Work Package 1 is at the basis of the activities of the other Work Packages. Our role is to identify the principal biomass sources, examine the regulatory framework, evaluate storage conditions, and establish a secure biomass supply chain.” Malta explains.

The work focuses on two key biomass streams, seaweeds and crustacean residues, while combining questionnaires, public databases, scientific literature, and specialised European platforms to better understand biomass availability and quality. The team is also investigating invasive species such as the brown macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae and the blue crab, alongside developing protocols to optimise biomass conservation and extraction yields.

Despite the opportunities, ensuring a stable biomass supply presents several challenges. Seasonal availability, differences in biomass quality, transport logistics, and varying regulatory interpretations across Europe all influence the consistency of marine biomass supply.

“One of the main challenges is the seasonal variation in both the availability and quality of biomass. Transport logistics and differences in regulatory interpretation between Member States also need to be carefully considered.” says Malta.

By addressing these challenges from the very beginning, Work Package 1 provides the strong foundation needed for the research and innovation activities that follow. Through sustainable biomass sourcing and collaboration across the value chain, MARMADE is helping unlock the potential of marine resources and supporting Europe’s transition towards a more circular blue bioeconomy.

Behind every successful European project, there is continuous coordination, communication, and collaboration working quietly in the background.

At MARMADE, Dr. Germana Borsetta from UNICAM contributes to the overall coordination and implementation of the project, helping ensure that activities across the consortium remain aligned and progress smoothly.

“My role is to support effective communication among partners, timely delivery of results, and strategic alignment across the consortium,” Germana explains. “In projects like MARMADE, flexibility, transparency, and continuous communication are essential for achieving shared objectives.”

Working within an international and multidisciplinary consortium brings both opportunities and challenges. According to Germana, one of the most important aspects is managing the diversity of expertise and working approaches across partners coming from research, industry, and innovation ecosystems.

“Each partner brings valuable perspectives and knowledge.” she says. “The challenge is to maintain momentum and coordination while respecting deadlines, quality standards, and administrative requirements.”

To support this process, MARMADE relies on structured communication, regular meetings, shared tools, and continuous interaction across activities.

“Effective collaboration depends not only on management systems, but also on trust, responsiveness, and a common vision for long-term impact.” Germana notes.

Through coordination and collaboration, MARMADE continues building the foundations for more sustainable and circular marine-based innovation.

The MARMADE consortium gathered on 17 June 2026 for its Steering Board, General Assembly and Project Meeting, coordinated by the University of Camerino (UNICAM). The meeting brought together project partners from across Europe to review the progress achieved so far, discuss ongoing activities and coordinate the next steps for the successful implementation of the project.

Throughout the meeting, partners presented updates from all Work Packages, highlighting recent achievements, ongoing research and technical developments, as well as upcoming tasks. The discussions provided an opportunity to assess progress against project objectives, exchange knowledge and ensure effective coordination across the consortium.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the consortium’s strong commitment to developing circular and bio-based solutions that contribute to more sustainable food and feed value chains. By combining scientific excellence, innovation and cross-sector collaboration, MARMADE is helping pave the way towards a more resilient and sustainable blue bioeconomy in Europe.

Stay tuned for more updates as MARMADE continues to transform marine biomass into innovative solutions that support Europe’s green and sustainable future.

Behind MARMADE lies a clear vision: to rethink how marine resources are perceived, used, and transformed within more sustainable food systems.

For Professor Sauro Vittori, the creation of MARMADE was inspired by the growing need to manage resources in a smarter, more sustainable, and more innovative way, with a particular focus on the untapped potential of marine biomass.

“MARMADE was inspired by the idea that marine wastes should no longer be considered as such, but as valuable resources for creating sustainable and innovative solutions.” Professor Vittori explains.

At the heart of the project is the ambition to foster a circular food system by combining scientific research, technological innovation, and stakeholder collaboration. Through this approach, MARMADE aims to transform marine biomass into high-value products that can deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits.

A key element of this vision is the development of a “zero residue” process, ensuring that marine resources are used efficiently and responsibly throughout the entire value chain.

The sustainable valorisation of marine biomass is particularly important for Europe today, as it supports the transition toward a circular and resource-efficient bioeconomy. Marine biomass, including algae and seafood processing wastes, remains an underexploited resource with strong potential for the development of food ingredients, bioactive compounds, and other high-value products.

“Its valorisation can reduce waste, lower environmental impacts, strengthen food system resilience, and decrease dependence on non-renewable resources.” Professor Vittori notes.

Beyond its environmental dimension, the project also highlights the economic opportunities that marine biomass can create, especially for coastal regions, while contributing to European sustainability and climate goals.

Looking ahead, MARMADE aims to contribute to a more sustainable and circular blue bioeconomy by demonstrating how marine biomass can be effectively transformed into valuable products and solutions.

“We hope the project will inspire new industrial practices, strengthen collaboration between research institutions and stakeholders, support the development of standardized protocols, and encourage policies that promote sustainable resource use.” Professor Vittori says.

Through its work, MARMADE also seeks to raise awareness of the potential of marine biomass, helping reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and generate long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits across European food and bio-based sectors.

By bringing together research, innovation, and collaboration, MARMADE continues building the foundations for a more sustainable and circular future for marine-based resources.