Cultivation of macroalgae for a sustainable bioeconomy

The coastal region of Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania is undergoing change. While traditional fishing is losing importance, macroalgae are opening up new opportunities for sustainable and economically viable use of the sea.

They grow on previously unused areas, require neither freshwater nor fertilizers, and help remove excess nutrients from the ocean: macroalgae (also known as “seaweed”). At the same time, they provide valuable components that can replace fossil‑based plastics in biotechnological applications – and thus contribute to climate protection.

Solution approach

The funded research project MAKROBIO is developing sustainable and scalable methods for cultivating native macroalgae species in the Baltic Sea. The focus is on innovative co‑culture systems that increase area efficiency and biomass production through vertical zoning and different vegetation periods. The harvested algae are analyzed for their chemical composition and used to produce bioplastics with tailor‑made properties. In parallel, suitable coastal locations are identified, fossil‑free materials for the technical setup are tested, and the results are disseminated through active stakeholder communication.

Practical relevance and sustainability

MAKROBIO schafft die Grundlage für eine regionale Wertschöpfungskette von der marinen Rohstoffproduktion bis zur nachhaltigen Materialnutzung und stärkt die ökologische und ökonomische Resilienz der Küstenregion. Die entwickelten Biopolymere bieten eine umweltfreundliche Alternative zu erdölbasierten Kunststoffen. Das Projekt fördert neue Einkommensquellen für Küstengemeinden und Fischer, nutzt bestehende Infrastruktur und Erfahrungswissen und trägt zur gesellschaftlichen Akzeptanz nachhaltiger Innovationen bei.

Profile

• Funding amount: Around 1,000,000 euros
• Duration: 01.01.26–31.12.28
• Participants:
  • Dr. Esther Robbe, Alles Alge e.V. (Economics, resource use)
  • Jun.-Prof. Klaus Herburger, University of Rostock (Cell biology)
  • Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kreyling, University of Greifswald (Experimental plant ecology)
  • Christian Schulz, Alles Alge e.V. (Macroalgae/aquaculture)
  • Johannes Sarau, University of Greifswald (Aquatic ecology)