Published on 18 June 2025
Setting the Stage for Collaboration
Running from 10:00 to 12:00 CET, this second edition of the Quarterly Webinar Series laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration within the European algae sector. Kicking off the session, Silvia Tosatto, Project Manager at s.Pro, introduced how EU4Algae supports the growth and innovation of the European algae sector. By facilitating collaboration, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering industry development, EU4Algae is fully aligned with the EU Algae Initiative, the European Green Deal, and the Farm to Fork Strategy – all while encouraging the climate-neutral production of algae.
Building a Strategic Roadmap for the EU Algae Industry
Angela Schultz-Zehden, Founder and Managing Director of s.Pro, provided an overview of the EU4Algae Industry Roadmap, which will:
- Build upon national strategies and roadmaps developed across EU-funded projects and Member States.
- Assess the current state of the European algae industry, outline its growth potential, and map the necessary steps to get there.
- Be co-developed with Member States and key sector players.
Angela also highlighted the three core segments of the algae industry:
- Production: Including macroalgae (wild harvesting and cultivation, both sea-based and land-based), microalgae, and spirulina.
- Processing: Encompassing pre-treatment, compound extraction (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids), and refining processes.
- Services: Ranging from technology development and infrastructure to B2B platforms and consulting.
Key Industry Data:
- In 2019, Europe contributed just 0.8% to global macroalgae production and 0.63% to global microalgae production.
- While Asia’s production is dominated by farming, Europe still relies heavily on wild harvesting.
- By 2022, the EU algae industry included 548 enterprises across 20 Member States, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. France, Spain, and Ireland lead in the number of active companies.
- Of these, 413 are producers, with France having the largest number of enterprises (169), followed by Spain (47), Ireland (27), Norway (22), and Italy (21).
Breakdown:
- Macroalgae: 153 enterprises across 166 production units in 13 countries.
- Microalgae: 87 enterprises across 89 production units in 17 countries.
- Spirulina: 213 enterprises across 216 production units in 15 countries.
Check the official European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy report for more.
Showcasing Innovation: Success Stories from the EU4Algae Community
Two EU4Algae members shared pioneering projects that are shaping the future of the sector:
Marcella Fernandes de Souza (Postdoctoral Researcher & Project Manager, University of Ghent) showcased work on algae-based fertilising products, focusing on closing knowledge gaps, identifying viable nutrient sources, and exploring algae’s role in wastewater treatment and bio-based fertilisers.
Oriane Georges (Project Manager, F6S) highlighted this project’s mission to boost interregional collaboration, scale innovative SMEs, and build sustainable seaweed value chains across Europe. Investment cases spanned food, biofertilisers, and cosmetics, illustrating seaweed’s vast potential.
Imagining the Future: Breakout Group Discussions
Participants engaged in the collaborative activity "Imagining the Future of the Algae Industry", where they envisioned what a thriving European algae sector could look like by 2045 and identified key steps to achieve it.
Here are the highlights from each breakout room:
- Macroalgae (Room 1 – moderated by Maya Miltell, Project Manager at s.Pro):
Discussions focused on the need for specialised seaweed businesses, improved research for sustainable farming, and leveraging offshore wind farms to create space for seaweed cultivation. Participants emphasised shifting from purely scientific framing to a more business-oriented approach to build profitable, scalable models.
- Microalgae (Room 2 – moderated by Isabel Romero, Junior Project Manager at s.Pro):
The group highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns, especially through cooking workshops and mainstream marketing. Calls for stronger EU policy support, funding, and AI-driven production innovations stood out, along with embedding algae into everyday food products and sustainability strategies.
- Macroalgae (Room 3 – moderated by Ferdinand Bulmer, Team Lead Aquatic Value Chains at s.Pro):
Participants stressed the importance of creative public engagement campaigns, especially until major industry players step in. There were calls for proportionate regulation to support small producers, along with continued funding, species diversification, and pilot projects to solidify Europe’s leadership in seaweed innovation.
- Microalgae (Room 4 – moderated by Tina Maria Seligmann, Project Manager at s.Pro):
Direct funding for breakthrough innovations and scale-up was flagged as a top priority, as was raising consumer awareness. Participants agreed that while algae’s benefits are scientifically proven, consumer familiarity remains low. Large-scale consumer campaigns were seen as key to changing this.
Mapping the Way Forward
As the EU algae sector charts its path forward, this webinar highlighted the collective need for strategic collaboration, shared vision, and actionable steps to build a thriving, regenerative algae industry across Europe.
EU4Algae remains committed to shaping this journey and supporting the sector’s sustainable growth.
How can you stay involved? Engage in the EU4Algae Maritime Forum page, where discussions, insights, and exclusive opportunities are shared.
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Watch the Full Webinar
Catch up on the full "EU4Algae Webinar Series: Towards a Roadmap for the EU Algae Industry" on our YouTube playlist!
Additional information
Join the #EU4Algae conversation and keep an eye on the EU4Algae Forum to stay updated on ongoing activities, initiatives, and sector updates.
Got questions? Contact us at: contact@eu4algae.eu.
Have you explored the EU4Algae Interactive Platform?
Designed to promote algae product awareness and increase consumer knowledge, the EU4Algae Interactive Platform offers a range of activities. Take the EU4Algae Quiz to test your algae knowledge, participate in our Survey to share your algae-eating habits (the first 200 respondents get a free eBook!) and play the interactive Game to discover which type of algae you are.