EU society needs new sustainable biobased feedstock in order to meet the growing population needs and to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. In terms of potential market requirements in EU, the food and fuel demand is mainly covered by foreign import, achieving the 68% of total proteins supply. Aquatic feedstock can be a solution to these necessities, however, European algae feedstock market is still facing immature production technologies, and which are not specifically designed for algae biorefinery. The overall objective of BIOSEA is the development and validation of innovative, competitive and cost-effective upstream and downstream processes for the cultivation of 2 microalgae (Spirulina platensis and Isochrysis galbana), and 2 macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis and Saccharina latissima) to produce and extract at least 6 high value active principles at low cost (up to 55% less than with current processes) to be used in food, feed and cosmetic/personal care as high-added value products. For achieving this objective, BIOSEA consortium consists of specialists in specific area/s or discipline/s involved in the project (IGV, AT SEA and CTAQUA in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; VITO and FEYECON in Chemical Science and Engineering; CNTA, BIOPOLIS, DIBAQ, SORIA NATURAL and CPCFEED in Food/Feed Technology; VLCI and HENKEL in Cosmetic Science; AITEX in Materials Science and TABU in Environmental Science). The total budget of BIOSEA is up to €4,633,447, so it is totally aligned with the range considered in the topic. It can be added that the industrial contribution will be up to €2,611,321, representing a percentage of 44% of the total budget and indicating the strong weight and involvement of the industry in the proposal.

The BioBIVE Consortium is a multidisciplinary 16 members group of universities, research centres and SMEs from 6 different European countries aimed to achieve, as main objective: “the development of bio-based platforms to allow the controlled release of bio-active agents able to control the plant pathogens of horticultural crops helping to decrease the use of chemical pesticides”. The general objective is based on three different bio-based release platforms (bio-plastic mulch, biochar and sprayable mulch) and three bio-active agents (basic substances, microorganisms and marine phenolic compounds),which will be the starting point to achieve the final best formulation. The functionality of these bio-based delivery systems that use substances from natural sources against crop pathogens instead of chemical pesticides must be evaluated in laboratory, greenhouse and environmental conditions, using diverse cropping systems (e.g., carrots, strawberries, tomatoes) and techniques, which are part of the BioBIVE Partners expertise.