Macroalgae could become one of the most valuable resources in the European bioeconomy. But how can their production be ensured in an efficient, sustainable, and industrially scalable way? That is precisely the question the BIG-ALGAE project – recently recognised with the STEP Seal, an excellence mark awarded by the European Commission to projects considered strategic for European technological sovereignty and competitiveness – seeks to answer. INESC TEC is one of the partners.
From food to cosmetics, from textiles to sustainable packaging: the applications of macroalgae are numerous. The problem? Europe remains heavily dependent on the wild harvesting of this resource, which limits the availability, consistency of supply, and quality of the biomass required for industrial applications. Beyond their economic potential, macroalgae also offer significant environmental benefits. They can contribute to carbon capture, nutrient recycling, and the substitution of fossil-based raw materials in different products and industrial processes.
“The main objective of BIG-ALGAE is to create the conditions for a more predictable, sustainable, and competitive European macroalgae production, strengthening Europe’s capacity to meet growing demand for quality biomass in sectors such as food, feed, cosmetics, textiles, packaging, and other bio-based materials. Controlled macroalgae cultivation could also reduce pressure on wild populations, improve resource utilisation, and unlock new value chains associated with the circular economy,” explains Luís Coelho, a researcher at INESC TEC.
The project is developing four cultivation models applicable to five native European macroalgae species: offshore production, recirculating land-based systems, integration with fish aquaculture through the IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) concept, and urban systems designed for regions without direct coastal access.
Within the project, INESC TEC plays a significant role in developing the digital and monitoring components of the production systems, in cooperation with the Applied Photonics and Industrial Engineering and Management domains. “Our contribution focuses on developing sensing solutions, real-time monitoring, and digital decision-support tools. These solutions will make it possible to optimise parameters such as water quality, nutrient availability, biomass growth, and the ideal harvesting moment,” says Luís Coelho.
In addition to the monitoring technologies, the project includes the development of new biodegradable substrates for algae attachment and biorefinery processes to extract high-value-added compounds.
The project also envisages integrated aquaculture solutions with the potential for bioremediation of water from fish farming, as well as environmental assessments based on life cycle methodologies.
The results could benefit macroalgae producers, aquaculture operators, biomass processing companies, and industries in the food, cosmetics, textile, and materials sectors.
“BIG-ALGAE is not limited to a scientific approach — it also seeks to prepare replicable solutions applicable to the European macroalgae market.” Luís Coelho recalls that, to this end, the consortium brings together “producers, companies, and end users, with plans to demonstrate the developed solutions at technology readiness levels close to industrial application.”
The STEP Seal recognition reinforces the potential of this initiative. Created by the European Commission under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), this seal distinguishes high-quality projects that contribute to European technological innovation, strengthen the internal market’s competitiveness, and reduce the European Union’s strategic dependencies.
“This recognition represents a very important validation of the work carried out by the consortium. It demonstrates that the solutions proposed by BIG-ALGAE address strategic challenges for Europe and reinforces the project’s international visibility, whilst also facilitating future funding and investment opportunities,” concludes Luís Coelho.
