The standard project BIOBASED, “Development support of blue biorefinery in the Adriatic Sea”, is financed by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme. It valorises marine biomass and aquaculture side-streams generated in IMTA plants, to introduce the products and services into the international market. The project will establish a R&D scheme for strengthening Italy-Croatia’s position in blue bioeconomy, improving knowledge base of the key SMEs, identifying the development opportunities of the sustainable use of bio-resources, and creating a network of collaboration between researchers and producers.

OBJECTIVES

Key objectives of the BIOBASED project include:

• The testing phase of the production of seaweeds in Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems to reduce environmental impacts and innovate aquaculture practices in the pilot sites identified;
• The biorefinery-based valorization of seaweeds and by-products from fisheries and aquaculture to create high-value compounds and functional feeds;
• The development and market introduction of bio-based products and services derived from marine biomass and side-streams from IMTA plants.

MAIN PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS

• Analysis of the mussels/oysters production system operating in participating territories to identify suitable pilot sites for testing IMTA.
• Selection of commercially valuable macroalgae adaptable to identified areas for testing in IMTA pilot sites and transfer during the living lab to potential SMEs.
• Implementation of IMTA systems in pilot sites and organization of two joint testing events, one in Italy and one in Croatia.
• Selection of different conversion pathways for the valorization/upcycling of seaweed biomass and IMTA biowaste.
• Elaboration of a joint action plan that will analyze the main actions to implement for the development of the product marketing phases, including the identification of market segments and analysis of national/EU regulations on Blue Biotechnologies in the aquaculture sectors.
• Implementation of a participatory process through the organization of living labs and networking events aimed at bringing together key stakeholders to transfer the results of WP1 and WP2 activities.
• Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, a document that formalizes the collaboration between partners and other key stakeholders involved in the BIOBASED project, setting the stage for effective cooperation and sustainability of project achievements.

PARTNERSHIP

The BIOBASED consortium consists of 5 project partners.

The project partners are:

• University of Foggia (Lead Partner) (Italy)
• National Research Council – Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (Italy)
• Mediterranean Aquaculture Association (Italy)
• University of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
• Center for Entrepreneurship (Croatia)

DURATION: 01.04.2024 – 30.09.2026

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET: € 1.260.246,26 (ERDF € 1.008.197,00)

WEBSITE: https://www.italy-croatia.eu/web/biobased

FACEBOOK PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559291769389