ASSOCIATE NETWORK MEMBERS

Baltic Nylon is a multinational startup based in Germany, established in October 2020 to create biopolymers form fish waste to address the range of environmental problems caused by synthetic nylon. They are a team of 5 members with experience in bioeconomy, economics, sociology and agribusiness. Their mission is to provide a sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel based nylon for the fishing, automotive and textile industries with a product that is locally sourced, made of waste raw materials and biodegradable. Their technology extracts collagen from fish skin and scales, processed into gelatin through denaturation (heating), which is then broken down further into collagen peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis. These collagen peptides are then repolymerised into 100% bio-based bio-nylon, all at a lower cost than fossil-based nylon.

Diego Crisostomo
phone: +4917898095599
email: diegocrisostomob(at)gmail.com 

Ariana Alva Ferrari
phone: +491782822384
email: aalvaferrari(at)gmail.com

Baltic Probiotics Ltd. was established in 2013 and located in Rucava, Latvia. The initial core business was the sale of probiotic-based products, but at the moment company develops production sphere. These products are an all-natural and produced through a natural fermentation process using a beneficial microorganisms and yeasts. These products contain powerful blend of beneficial microorganisms (up to 11 in one product), enzymes and antioxidants, cane molasses, sea salt and plant extracts. Usage - veterinary, agriculture, animal husbandry, crop production, food processing, environmental protection, biogas production and other industries. Technology of development and application of products is based on scientific research in environmental microbiology. Usage of probiotics contributes to a healthy and viable environment (ecosystem) formation.

Rimas Pranas Budrys
phone: +370 61133500 
email: rimas(at)balticprobiotics.lv

Per Dolmer is a long collaborator of the SUBMARINER Network, having participated in the Baltic Blue Growth project (Interreg BSR) and now mentoring in the Blue Growth Accelerator (Alliance+, Interreg BSR), also as a member of the Mussels Working Group. Recently he went from WSP Orbicon to opening his own consultancy. His new consulting company Blue Research Aps offers development and advice in the field of blue bioeconomy. Development and advice include the cultivation and fishing of mussels, oysters and seaweed, and the cultivation of fish. Blue Research advises on production methods, management and business development. Blue Research offers solutions based on collaboration with experts across the company's network.

Per Dolmer
phone: +45 21347781
email: per.dolmer(at)blueresearch.dk

Ecopelag was founded in 2015 by Martin Reutgard and Martin Karlsson and is a non-profit organization which is driven by the vision "to accelerate the recovery of a viable Baltic Sea through innovation and concrete measures and ensure a sustainable use of its resources".

In 2016, the concept “Small mussels with great value” was launched, which today includes 10 different projects with the common goal of developing large-scale mussel farming in the Baltic Sea to achieve a significant and cost-effective nutrient uptake with a focus on circularity and sustainable growth within both blue and green sectors.

Martin Karlsson
phone: +46 (0)736792335
email: martin.karlsson(at)ecopelag.se

The “Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Fachhochschule Kiel GmbH", briefly called FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel GmbH, is a private corporation being engaged in the transfer of technology between research institutions and commercial enterprises. Purpose of the FuE-GmbH is marketing of the know-how of the University of Applied Science Kiel and other universities in Schleswig-Holstein and transfer of technology between universities and commercial enterprises. Also, the practice relation of teaching shall increase and the graduate students shall be fully integrated into joint projects, and hence, shall be bring into close contact to companies. The FuE-GmbH is specialized in three domains, which allow effectively support of the clients and to match their specific requirements: Services in testing and measuring, transfer projects and services in raising third-party funding. The competence combined with the extensive technical equipment of the University of Applied Science Kiel and the excellence of more than 150 professors is available to the clients. When needed, the FuE-GmbH utilize their large network to other universities and research institutions to fulfil the demands of the clients.

Björn Lehmann-Matthaei
phone: +49 431 218-4444
email: lehmann.matthaei(at)fh-kiel-gmbh.de

GEOMAR is one of the leading institutions of marine science worldwide. The institute investigates the chemical, physical, biological and geological processes of the seafloor, oceans and ocean margins and their interactions with the atmosphere. Its Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech) is a unique, state-of-the-art centre dedicated to outstanding research in marine biotechnology and biodiscovery and the transfer of research results to application. GEOMAR-Biotech is the successor of the Kiel Centre for Marine Natural Products (also known as Kieler Wirkstoff-Zentrum, KiWiZ), which was founded in 2006 through financial support of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Employment, Transport and Technology Schleswig-Holstein.

Deniz Tasdemir
phone: +49. 431 600 4430
email: dtasdemir(at)geomar.de

Martina Blümel
phone: +49. 431 6004439
email: mbluemel(at)geomar.de

The University of Gothenburg (UGOT) meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 37 000 students and 6 000 employees from all around the world make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. UGOT is environmentally certified and works actively for sustainable development. The research at UGOT is characterised by multidisciplinary cooperation. The Department of Marine Sciences at UGOT is Sweden’s most complete, interdisciplinary environment for marine research and marine education, and is one of only a few such organisations in Europe. With broad and cutting-edge expertise and access to unique marine infrastructure such as research vessels and field stations, the department enjoys excellent conditions for marine research and education.

Henrik Pavia
phone: +46.31.786 96 85
email: henrik.pavia(at)marine.gu.se

Guldborgsund Municipality (GBS) is dedicated to supporting the transition to a green circular bio economy as a growth driver. GBS has implemented a cross-sectoral taskforce for developing both blue and green biomass based bio-economy and since 2017 has had strengthened focus on bio-economy as a business driver with the establishment of “Bio-Economy Hotspot Guldborgsund”.
Bio-Economy Hotspot participates in projects and programs that capture new knowledge, ready to implement into green cascade production and business symbioses. Biomass from land and sea provide food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, materials, cleaning agents and green energy. In cascade production, high value compounds are extracted from e.g. agricultural residuals and residue from one business therefore becomes a resource for another. Finally, biogas production can add to the list of bio-value chain products, and the nutrients from digested biomass are returned to the soil for new plant production, thus completing the circular bio-economy process.
GBS would like to see bio-based production in rural areas providing everyday necessities, empowering our citizens with a modern life style to make sustainable choices - from food to household cleaning agents and personal care products - all non-fossil and with low CO2 footprint.

Mette Jørgensen 
phone: +45 2518 1833
email: mej(at)guldborgsund.dk

Innovatum is a Science Park for the development of knowledge, entrepreneurship and innovation. It is a nonprofit, independent player with commitment to the development of others by: testing ideas, allow them to grow and become reality, aiming to benefit small and medium-sized businesses, focusing on innovation, growth, sustainability and social benefits, collaborating with important players - companies, academia, institutes etc. Innovatum runs an incubator program with about 30 companies on an ongoing basis and helped more than 100 startups to develop, find investments, scale up and internationalize. The focus areas are sustainable transports, renewable energy, maritime industries, sustainable production.

Lillemor Lindberg
phone: +46 520 289 323
email: lillemor.lindberg(at)innovatum.se   

IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is an independent research organisation working in close cooperation with industry and government agencies on applied environment and sustainability research. Their projects cover a broad range of topics with the environment and climate in focus with relevance for e.g. sustainable industrial production, water and resource efficiency as well as air and water pollution. The marine research includes projects on aquaculture, sources, impacts and solutions to marine pollution, impacts of shipping on the marine environment and sustainable use of marine resources

John Munthe
phone: +46 10 788 6806
email: john.munthe(at)ivl.se

Kalmarsundskommissionen | The Kalmar Sound Commission consists of 7 coastal municipalities and representatives from the Region, Linneaus University, Farmers association and Water users partnerships of the Kalmar Sound area. The aim is to raise political awareness about the environmental situation in the coastal Baltic Sea. The members operate a broad spectra of actions, including farm-land measures to reduce nutrient leakage, mussel farming, low-flow dredging and restauration of important habitats. Kalmarsundskommissionen is interested in ideas and cooperation that could eventually turn the problem with eutrophication in the Baltic Sea into possibilities for new technology, services and job opportunities.

Renate Foks
phone: +46 480 450172
email: renate.foks(at)kalmar.se

Klaipeda Science and Technology Park (KSTP) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Klaipeda University, providing strategic, technical and administrative assistance to companies/projects related to the development of new technologies and innovations. The mission of the KSTP is to promote the development of modern scientifically susceptible technologies, to provide infrastructural and consulting services for innovative enterprises and business ideas in the western Lithuania and in the whole country.

Andrius Sutnikas
phone: +370. 46 310461
email: projects(at)kmtp.lt

Klaipeda University is represented by the subdivision Marine Research Institute (MRI). Marine Research Institute is unique centre of fundamental and applied marine research in Lithuania. Being equipped with modern research infrastructure MRI is providing high level scientific and technological research services for maritime business and national environmental authorities. Established fleet and modern laboratories allows carrying out the oceanographic research and complex analytical investigations of marine environment.

Zita Rasuole Gasiunaite
phone: +370 69 830 087
email: zita(a)corpi.ku.lt

Metal Production helps to develop non-standard conceptual projects in aqua culture, sub-sea, offshore and other industry. For large engineering and production companies Metal Production helps to improve their position in the market by reducing costs and increasing capacity in engineering and manufacturing. Metal Production is coordinator of Rocket Cluster which gathers different competences engineering companies to empower knowledge and capacity. The services consist of engineering, purchasing and fund rising consulting, engineers for hire R&D, quality auditing, quality control, purchase order and project management services.

Gediminas Tamošaitis
phone: +370 676 34424
email: gediminas(at)metalproduction.lt

The National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI) in Gdynia is Poland’s oldest marine science centre. It is a research and development unit supervised by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Originally dedicated to marine ecology, fisheries and fish food processing, NMFRI has become a place for interdisciplinary research on the Baltic environment and fisheries sector economy. The Institute investigates the natural and human impact on the Baltic Sea and its interactions with the economy and society. NMFRI performs and promotes research on processing technology, food safety, water quality, and utilization of marine ecosystems.

Iwona Psuty
phone: +48. 587 356 236
email: ipsuty(at)mir.gdynia.pl

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research and expert organization with expertise in renewable natural resources and sustainable food production. Luke provides innovative solutions for new business opportunities based on natural resources. LUKE's strengths are in sustainable production and use of natural resources and thorough knowledge of bio-based raw materials. Among the offered servies within blue bioeconomy are: genomics and breeding, blue production, sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems and value-added food and aquabiomass products.

Sari Mäkinen
phone: +358 29 532 6378
email: sari.makinen(at)luke.fi 

The oceanBASIS GmbH was founded in 2001 by marine biologists. The company is specialized in developing marine products such as algae extracts. The vision of oceanBASIS is making the valuable marine ingredients available for the health of many people, and at the same time protect the marine ecosystem. oceanBASIS is the world's leading "treasure lifter" of active ingredients from the sea. Based on the scientific experience oceanBASIS has developed a natural cosmetics line based on sustainably produced marine ingredients.

Levent Piker
phone: +49 431-3645-887
email: lpiker(at)oceanbasis.de

Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord (OIFO) | est. 2012 | is an ocean industry association which also is the Maritime Forum Oslofjord, i.e. one of 8 regions in Norway. Geographically, the; association covers Oslo, Viken, and Vestfold and Telemark counties and so surrounds the Oslo Fjord. OIFO aims to be a cooperation arena for innovation and restructuring in the ocean industries. The forum includes local and global enterprises from the region that are related to the ocean industries, as well as expert and R&D environments at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), the Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) and BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo (BI).

Tom O. Kleppestø
phone: +47 48 14 40 00
email: tom.kleppesto(at)maritimt-forum.no

The vision of Origin by Ocean is to create the Baltic Sea an algae-based business ecosystem in Finland that would help the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea commercially viable. The company has secured the seed phase funding of 3M EUR funding for the development of algae processing technology. Finland's first algae processing plant is planned to be operational with full production capacity in 2027. Origin by Ocean processes harvested and farmed sea and ocean grown biomass such as algae, bladder wrack and kelp, to produce natural and biologically sustainable ingredients for use in the food, beverage, cosmetics and pharma industries.

Mikael Westerlund
phone: +35 840 540 9880
email:  mikael.westerlund[at]originbyocean.com

PurOceans Technology is a Latvian startup within the clean tech industry, established in 2019. They are team of 5 members with 35 years of combined experience in oil contaminated sediments, microbiology science, 15 year of combined entrepreneurial experience and 15 year of combined international experience in sales. Their mission is to clean up waters and seabeds from oil products and micro-plastic around the World. PurOceans aims to rehabilitate deep waters and restore/recover deadzones (over 500 deadlines around the world), as well as restore historically polluted areas from oil products and micro-plastic. The pioneering, eco-friendly technology performs sophisticated water benthic cleaning in the most cost and time efficient way, providing a positive impact to the environment. PurOceans is able to clean up waterbody’s floor from oil, microplastic and chemical sediments without using any bio/chemical substances, without any mechanical intervention or lifting of soil, without using electric impulses, or other modern methods, that one way or another, harm flora and fauna.

Alona Stepanova
phone: +37123475774
email: as[at]puroceans.com

The administration of Riga Planning Region (RPR) is a state institution supervised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. RPR Development Council representing 30 municipalities of Riga regions is its decision making authority. The task of the regional administration is to ensure regional development planning, coordination, collaboration between local governments and other national governmental institutions. The mission of the region is to coordinate and to promote sustainable and balanced development of Riga region.

Inga Brieze
phone: +371 6755 9823
email: inga.brieze(at)rpr.gov.lv

In SUSTAINABILITYNOW, we support leaders and employees in the development of sustainable processes in public and private companies. This is done through inspiring mentoring and creative Business Development. The sustainable future depends on us daring to take new paths and think thoughts that are not yet mainstream.

Jens Christian Aagenæs CEO
phone: (+45) 4020 6072
email: info(at)sustainabilitynow.eu

Tartu Biotechnology Park provides excellent physical infrastructure as well as business development and consultancy services to companies and R&D institutions in the fields of biotechnology, medicine and veterinary medicine. It supports companies in finding cooperation partners and is active in the establishment process of new companies. From the 2005 we are running BioMed business incubator with a mission to create favorable environment for start-up enterprises. TBP collaborates closely with biotechnology parks and IRCs in Europe and USA. We are a member and Estonian contact point of ScanBalt fmba.

Mariann Nõlvak
phone: +372. 7 383 053
email: mariann(at)biopark.ee

LUT University is a pioneering science university in Finland, bringing together the fields of science and business since 1969. Our international community is composed of approximately 6,500 students and experts engaged in scientific research and academic education. Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology and business. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal.

Prof. Amit Bhatnagar
phone: (+358) 503696419
email: Amit.Bhatnagar(at)lut.fi

The University of Gdańsk (UG) is the largest institution of higher education in the Pomeranian region and the leading Polish university with regards to maritime research and education in the fields of natural and social sciences as well as the economics and law of the sea. The Institute of Oceanography at University of Gdańsk (IOUG) educates students in oceanography, geology, offers doctoral programme in oceanography and conducts interdisciplinary research into all aspects of marine science in the open sea and coastal zone of the shelf seas. IOUG is actively involved in implementation of the ecosystem approach into the development and management of marine areas.

Natalia Gorska
phone: +48 58 523 68 83
email: natalia.gorska(at)ug.edu.pl

Hanna Łądkowska
phone: +48. 58 523 68 69
email: ocehl(at)ug.edu.pl

Vetik is an Estonian start-up founded in 2017 for developing new ways to valorize local red seaweed. The company has access to a unique source of wild red seaweed (Furcellaria lumbricalis) located in the sea area of the West Estonian Archipelago, between two of the biggest islands of Estonia - Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The resource of this algae wild stock is estimated at 150,000 tons and Furcellaria has been harvested in Estonia since 1960 without any detectable effect on the raw stock. Two of the cofounders have been harvesting and selling dried seaweed since 2009. Now that Vetik has two scientists in the core team, their aim is to use the full potential of this seaweed in a sustainable way. Main focus has been in bringing a new red colorant to the cosmetic market and using side streams as biostimulant formulation.

Tanel Ilmjärv
phone: +372 5183980
email: tanel(at)vetik.eu

Inova has two foci: one is innovation management, where it assists with finding and applying for public funding grants and in managing complex research and innovation projects; and the second one is software development where it co-develops solutions for proof-of-concepts and demonstrators in several application fields. Inova often participates in such funding opportunities for joint development.

Vitor Vieira
phone: +49 6223 8009863
email: vitor.vieira(at)inova.business 

Under Ytan wants the Baltic Sea to thrive. By increasing biodiversity, we create better conditions for the animals and plants in our sea. We are a start - up company focusing on cultivation and farming techniques for macroalgae from the Baltic Sea, and its uses as food and other products. The company operates under a regenerative business model, which means that we restore more than we utilize. We strengthen ecosystems and reduce eutrophication in the Baltic Sea through the cultivation of macroalgae and the use of macroalgae as a restoration method to strengthen habitats.

Joel Lindholm
phone: +358 (0) 50 5648005
email: joel.lindholm(at)live.se

Kerteminde Seafarm is a blue mussels, oysters, and seaweed farm in Kerteminde Bay, Denmark. Kerteminde Mussels was established at the beginning of 2018 in connection with a successful application for Fisheries LAG funds (FLAG).

Mads Hekter
email: mads(at)seafarmer.dk

POWER ALGAE is a vertically integrated biotechnology company developing technologies for microalgae valorization. Based in Tartu, Estonia, one of our foci is adaption of existing technologies to fit the Nordic climatic conditions. The integrated processes include utilizing industrial carbon dioxide and excess heat. We are working with various species and across a variety of applications.

Liina Joller-Vahter

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Naturcosmo’s promotes natural, plant-based products, and ingredients for disruptive innovation in harmony with our environment. They bring together experts in the field of natural effective ingredients and algae, the financial world and industry, to create new sustainable businesses to meet today’s demand for food, feed, cosmetics, and materials.

Alexandra Mosch

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