Launching a New European Collaboration to Transform Sargassum into Sustainable Bio-based Solutions
This week, SITES proudly participated in the official Kick-off Meeting (KoM) of SARGEX – “Sargassum Bioeconomy: From Coastal Biomass to Advanced Sustainable Materials”, hosted at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges programme, SARGEX brings together a multidisciplinary international consortium to tackle one of today’s most urgent environmental challenges: the massive accumulation of Sargassum seaweed along coastal regions — transforming this ecological threat into an opportunity for sustainable innovation and circular bioeconomy solutions
Over two intensive days, partners from academia, industry, and innovation organisations aligned strategies, shared facilities and expertise, and launched the project’s technical and management roadmap. The agenda covered:
- Sustainable collection and processing of Sargassum biomass
- Development of bio-based functional materials
- Design of biodigester-enabled pilot plants
- Exploitation, standardisation, and commercialisation pathways
- Dissemination, communication, and stakeholder engagement actions
SITES’ role in SARGEX
As a key non-academic partner, SITES leads:
WP4 – Exploitation of products and processes
- Technology transfer strategies
- Scalability & economic feasibility
- Commercialisation planning
- Stakeholder training
WP5 – Dissemination, communication & networking
- Project communication strategy
- Outreach activities
- Civil society engagement
- Knowledge transfer across sectors
Our mission is clear:
👉 Ensure that SARGEX results move beyond the lab and into real markets, policies, and communities.
By connecting research outcomes with SMEs, industry actors, policymakers, and society, SITES supports the creation of sustainable value chains around marine biomass, contributing to:
- Circular economy adoption
- Green innovation
- Coastal ecosystem restoration
- Renewable bio-based products
Building a collaborative ecosystem
The KoM highlighted the strength of the consortium, uniting partners from Europe and beyond across marine science, biotechnology, engineering, sustainability, and innovation management. Through secondments, joint pilots, and knowledge exchange, SARGEX will accelerate skills development and cross-sector collaboration.
For SITES, this project reinforces our commitment to:
✔ Knowledge & technology transfer
✔ Sustainable business models
✔ Stakeholder engagement
✔ Impact-driven innovation
We are excited to start this journey and contribute to turning marine challenges into scalable, sustainable opportunities.
Stay tuned for upcoming updates, field activities, and results from SARGEX!
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