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The main objective of LOCALITY is to develop circular and sustainable value chains, linking industrial players to stimulate co-creation and bring new and innovative algae-based products to regional and global markets while protecting and restoring Europe’s aquatic ecosystems.
LOCALITY sets the basis for the market uptake of innovative, socially responsible, and sustainable food, aquafeed ingredients, agriculture, and textile products formulated using algal biomasses and ingredients from side streams and the Baltic and North Seas, demonstrate their social and economic benefits, define commercialisation strategies and ensure consumer and market acceptance. Project results, developed technologies, and products to relevant stakeholders, thus fostering the replication of such circular ecosystems are disseminated.
LOCALITY is based on novel approaches and innovative products involving local stakeholders and international markets. The Consortium is completely market-oriented, with industrial partners addressing all value chains. Value chain reinforcement, consumer perception and acceptance, regulatory and technological barriers surpassing, business models, and market strategy development are key LOCALITY components. The designed products will gain a strong position in the European marketplace in the coming years.
In the LOCALITY project, a Europe-wide network for sustainable algae-based value creation is being created. The aim is to close industrial cycles and bring new products in the areas of nutrition, textiles, aquaculture and agriculture to the market, and at the same time protect Europe’s aquatic ecosystems.
The basis: algae biomass from industrial side streams, supplemented by cultivated marine algae from the North Sea and Baltic Sea. From this biomass, among other things, textile additives, biostimulants, aquafeed components and protein substitutes are created.
The special feature: LOCALITY uses the nutrient-rich by-products from greenhouse operations, fish farming facilities and textile factories. These so-called side streams serve as a nutrient source for the cultivation of microalgae and macroalgae. At the same time, the algae remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus from polluted waters, an active contribution to restoring ecological balances.
In LOCALITY, algae products are developed for exactly the markets from which the side streams originate, a perfect cycle. Among other things, the following are to be created:
• Food and nutritional supplements
• Feed additives for aquaculture
• Biostimulants and fertilizers for agriculture
• Textile additives and natural dyes
The international consortium consists of industrial partners along the entire value chain, from algae cultivation to biorefinery to product development. Business models, market strategies and regulatory questions are also in focus. The aim is to establish marketable products with high societal acceptance.
LOCALITY connects regional actors from North Sea and Baltic Sea coastal regions with international markets. The results are specifically passed on to relevant stakeholders in order to promote similar circular systems throughout Europe.
Algae are versatile, strong-growing and require no agricultural land. In times of climate change and resource scarcity, they offer enormous potential, both ecologically and economically. LOCALITY makes this potential usable and brings algae solutions to where they are needed.
Project website:
Funded by the European Union.