A major step toward building a sustainable, circular bio-based industry in Europe

Avaldsnes, Norway — 1 May 2024: Alginor ASA has been selected to lead the €14.4 million PROTEUS flagship project, a four-year international collaboration funded by the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The consortium, coordinated by Alginor and comprising 11 international partners, has secured a €9.6 million grant to establish the world’s first fully integrated industrial-scale biorefinery for brown seaweeds.

The kick-off meeting was held in Oslo on 14–15 May, hosted by Alginor. In his opening address, CEO Kjetil Rein described PROTEUS as a “transformational milestone unlocking the full potential of brown macroalgae and laying the foundation for a new sustainable bio-based industry in Europe.”

Key Facts — PROTEUS Flagship Project

• Project Scope: Launch of the first fully integrated industrial biorefinery for brown seaweeds in Avaldsnes, Norway, advancing Europe’s shift to sustainable, ocean-based resources.
• Innovative Technology: Employs state-of-the-art, chemical-free biorefining processes, increasing biomass utilisation from 15% to nearly 100%.
• Sustainability Impact: Designed for low-emission operations, optimised water and energy use, and significant reductions in greenhouse gas output.
• Funding & Timeline: €14.4 million total budget (2024–2028), including €9.6 million in CBE JU grant funding.
• Consortium Collaboration: Involves 11 leading partners across Europe, spanning research institutions, industrial developers, and commercial end-users.
• Industry Transformation: Sets new benchmarks for harvesting, refining, and applying brown seaweed-derived ingredients across food, feed, personal care, and bio-based materials sectors.
• Future Outlook: Targets production of over 5,000 tonnes of high-value ingredients annually, with planned expansion into multiple biorefinery sites and broader macroalgae utilisation.

A Unified Vision for Sustainable Growth

The PROTEUS consortium represents a cross-sector alliance working to redefine bio-based production through eco-friendly, circular practices. Covering the entire value chain—from responsible harvesting and advanced biorefining to downstream formulation and commercialisation—the initiative aims to create a fully renewable and competitive alternative to petrochemical-based production.

Key objectives include:

• Building a resilient and scalable supply chain for brown seaweed ingredients.
• Developing green technologies that promote resource efficiency and closed-loop production.
• Creating high-value applications in food, animal feed, cosmetics, and sustainable industrial materials.
• Supporting European climate and ocean restoration goals through emission reductions and biogenic carbon utilisation.

“The PROTEUS project represents a defining moment for Alginor and the entire European bioeconomy,” said CEO Kjetil Rein. “Together with our partners, we are setting the course for a new industry built on sustainable marine resources — one that will drive innovation, create value, and help replace fossil-based products with renewable alternatives.”

About the CBE JU

The Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking is a public–private partnership between the European Commission and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium, designed to accelerate Europe’s transition toward a sustainable, competitive bio-based economy by funding collaborative innovation between industry and research.

With PROTEUS, Alginor reinforces its leadership in marine biorefining and continues its mission to develop environmentally responsible, resource-efficient technologies that transform the potential of Laminaria hyperborea and other brown seaweeds into a foundation for Europe’s sustainable future.