EnhanceMicroalgae: An European Interregional Project Stimulating Research, Innovation, Industrial Development and Transnational Cooperation within the Atlantic Area Microalgae Sector

Although microalgae comprise an estimated number of 30,000 to 1,000,000 species, few are grown commercially. This natural resource offers great industrial potential, exploiting its chemical composition or biotechnological potential through growth manipulations. At the same time, this complexity can overwhelm enterprises entering this sector due to the great number of variables affecting economic and environmental viability. The strategic objective of the INTERREG Atlantic Area EnhanceMicroalgae project EAPA_338/2016 (2017-2020) is to create a network of European scientific and industrial partners to stimulate innovation and competitiveness of the European Atlantic Area in high technology sectors related to microalgae (in particular pharma, food and nutraceuticals). The work program includes an in-depth review of the existing Atlantic Area microalgae sector (strengths and weaknesses, level of expertise, industrial development opportunities, regulatory and legal frameworks), innovative research activities and innovation transfer from laboratories/ research platforms to the industrial sector to promote the emergence of new products, services and processes. The EnhanceMicroalgae consortium offers a wide range of skills and interests, with strong track records for research, production and exploitation of microalgae throughout the Atlantic Area.