From Marine Waste to Blue Value: WAVE Project Study Visit to the Swedish West Coast

In June 2026 partners of the Nordic–Baltic WAVE (Waste to Valuable Materials to address the Marine Cold Climate Challenge) project met in Gothenburg for a four-day study visit exploring how marine waste and aquatic biomass can be transformed into valuable products and solutions. The project connects education, research, and industry to advanced circular bioeconomy solutions in marine environments.

Link to the WAVE project’s website.

The study tour brought together partners from Arcada (project coordinator), the University of Borås, the University of Latvia, LAB University of Applied Sciences, and Under Ytan, which works with seaweed-based solutions. Visits across Sweden’s west coast showcased different stages of the marine circular economy value chain, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in turning waste into resources.

Marine Research: Seaweed-Based Solutions and circular economy in practise 

The first day included a visit to the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory of the University of Gothenburg, located in one of Sweden’s most biodiverse marine regions (Image 1). The laboratory supports marine research, education, and innovation in areas such as biodiversity, aquaculture, and seaweed ecology. The visit demonstrated how scientific research provides the foundation for sustainable marine applications.

Link to the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory’s website.

Another key destination was Nordic SeaFarm, a company developing seaweed-based products for food, feed, and biomaterials. Their work illustrates how marine biomass can replace fossil-based materials and contribute to circular economy goals. 

Link to Nordic SeaFarm’s website.

The group also visited the Marine Recycling Center in Sotenäs (Image 2) and the associated Sotenäs Symbiosis Center. The centre promotes collaboration between companies, public organisations, and researchers by transforming waste streams into new resources, for example recycling marine plastics and discarded fishing gear into new materials. The Sotenäs model demonstrates and inspires us how industrial symbiosis can create local business opportunities while reducing environmental impacts. 

Link to Marine Recycling Center’s website.

Marine Innovation at Kristineberg Center

The second day focused on the Kristineberg Center, one of the world’s oldest marine research stations. Located by the Gullmar Fjord, the centre offers advanced research infrastructure including laboratories, offshore testing facilities, scientific diving resources, and training environments.

Its activities cover aquaculture, marine materials, novel food production and pollution/water quality monitoring, as well as environmental and ecosystem research. 

Link to Kristineberg Center’s website.

From Research to Industry at RISE

The study visit concluded at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden in Mölndal. RISE plays a key role in transforming research into practical applications and industrial solutions. Participants explored research on bio-based fibres made from materials such as cellulose, alginate, chitosan, and proteins. The facilities also included advanced plastics recycling and additive manufacturing capabilities. One demonstration showcased a kayak produced through large-scale 3D printing using recycled plastic and wood-fibre biocomposites. This and other visits offered valuable ideas for future collaboration and research development at LAB.

Link to RISE’s website.

Key takeaways

The WAVE study visit strengthened collaboration among project partners and supported planning for upcoming project activities, including an international seminar in Lahti and a hackathon in Mariehamn. It also enhanced participants’ expertise by exposing them to practical examples of marine circular economy solutions. Visit also highlighted the significant potential of marine biomass as a resource for future bio-based products and circular economy business models.

Overall, the visit showed that transforming marine waste into valuable materials is already becoming a reality across the Nordic region. By combining scientific knowledge, industrial innovation, and collaborative networks, the WAVE project contributes to the development of a more sustainable and resilient blue economy.