WASEABI

Optimal utilization of seafood side-streams through the design of new holistic process lines

Project details

Type of project: Research & Innovation Action
Project focus: Food, feed & cosmetics
Feedstock origin: Aquatic
Feedstock type: Fishery by-product

Project period: 1 May 2019 - 31 October 2023
Status: Completed
CBE JU Contribution: € 3 197 397,00
Call identifier: H2020-BBI-JTI-2018

Summary

Aquatic biomass processing is a sizeable European industrial sector, with a turnover approaching €30 million and employing more than 120,000 people. However, the sector is facing increasing pressure from rising costs and falling margins. At the same time, existing resources are not being used sustainably, with substantial inefficiency – up to 70 per cent - ending up at best as by-products or side streams, at worst as waste.

Processes that could exploit these resources more effectively would, therefore, be highly desirable. However, for aquatic biomass to become more widely accepted, it needs to be of consistent quality. This means solving several challenges involving transportation, handling and storage, while the technology for processing needs to be scaled up beyond laboratory level.

The WASEABI project is designed to solve some of these challenges and allow more effective exploitation of aquatic resources. It will develop solutions for storage and sorting as well as decision tools that will secure an efficient, sustainable supply system from typical European aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic processing industries. This will provide the opportunity to valorise these into potentially marketable products.