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BIOTECMAR: Biotechnological exploitation of marine products and by-products

A main focus of the BIOTECMAR project is to develop an engagement platform for SMEs and research centres to innovate, develop connections and strengthen commercial opportunities together, concentrated around the utilization of by-products from the fisheries, aquaculture and seaweed industries. Marine biological resources such as seaweeds (inc. seaweed by-products), fish and shellfish are sources of valuable ingredients and bioactive molecules. These resources from the fisheries, aquaculture and seaweed harvesting sectors generate important direct and indirect economic activities. The large quantities of waste and by-products generated in these sectors should be considered as raw materials for the production of valuable ingredients for food, animal and human nutrition, cosmetics and health.

A main objective of BIOTECMAR is to set up and incorporate a fully integrated chain for the production of value added compounds derived from Atlantic marine resources. BIOTECMAR has aided companies of the Atlantic Area (mainly SMEs), through cooperation with Partners in Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France. This action takes advantage of modern biotechnological tools available in research centres and to contribute to a diversification of the activities derived from marine biomass exploitation within the strict framework of sustainable management of marine natural sources.

One of the roles of the ISRG is to serve as a leader in the project activity of lab practice exchanges between staff/students of project Partners. The ISRG provides a contact point to enable research centres and SMEs to communicate on project collaborations. The ISRG is also involved in the analysis of the current marine waste situation and is conducting pilot scale actions to demonstrate the feasibility of various marine waste utilisations/opportunities and the dissemination of project outcomes.

PROJECT AIMS:

The BIOTECMAR project has a three year action plan (2009-2011) with the following aims:

• Identification/quantification of marine by-products.
• Training sessions and practical workshops for BIOTECMAR network members.
• Exchange of researchers between labs.
• Database of marine stakeholders; cooperation between labs and SMEs/industry.
• Creation of an online marketplace for by-product materials and SME support for launching innovative projects.

For further information or to join the BIOTECMAR Network please go to www.biotecmar.eu.

PROJECT PARTNERS:

The project has a total of 12 Partners in the Atlantic Area Region (Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal).

R & D centres:

• Ryan Institute, NUI Galway (Ireland)
• UEB-UBO (France) -Lead Partner
• IPIMAR/INRB (Portugal)
• CSIC (Spain)
• MNHN (France)
• University of Nantes (France)
• University of La Rochelle (France)
• IFREMER (France)

Transfer centres:

• Indigo Rock Marine Research Institute (Ireland)
• Technopole Quimper-Cornouaille (France)
• CETMAR (Spain)
• N.E.T. Novas Empresas e Tecnologias, S.A (Portugal)

PROJECT WEBSITE:

www.biotecmar.eu

DOCUMENT LINKS:

• BIOTECMAR Overview poster PDF
• BIOTECMAR Network registration invitation PDF

FUNDED by:

This project is co-financed with the support of the European Union ERDF, Atlantic Area Programme.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Dr Richard Walsh,
Irish Seaweed Research Group,
Ryan Institute,
NUI Galway,
Galway,
Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)91 493920
richard.walshnuigalway.ie

 

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