EOM

Macroalgae rightly have a good reputation as a superfood: they provide a high nutrient content, are good sources of iodine and are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and fibre.

In the EOM transfer project, a new carrier material with a special surface structure is to be developed to promote the growth of seaweed and thus enable targeted cultivation. The conventional use of nets or lines for algae cultivation, which are laid out manually near the coast, is labour-intensive and uneconomical. The aim of the project is therefore to enable resource-conserving and controlled cultivation of macroalgae to LKand and water using biogenic surfaces, similar to the concept of vertical farming and urban gardening. Only natural materials that offer a high colonisation rate for juvenile algae will be used to ensure rapid attachment.

Studies on seasonal environmental influences on the ingredients of the algae will also be integrated. These studies lay the foundation for the economically viable production of macroalgae, which does not yet exist in Europe. These transfer results aim to make macroalgae imports from Asia unnecessary.