On 18 June 2025, Valorial organised a half-day series of workshops as part of the European Hub4Food and Biorural projects. These two initiatives, focusing respectively on sustainable local food systems and food resources in food products, brought together local stakeholders, researchers and businesses to discuss the sustainable use of marine resources.
During this discussion, several key themes emerged. Cultivated seaweed was highlighted for its potential in natural fermentation and health, but also for the need to develop a sector tailored to local conditions. Beach-washed seaweed, which is often under-utilised, is attracting keen interest for applications in agriculture, biomaterials and even construction, whilst marine shells present logistical challenges that need to be overcome to scale up to an industrial level. Finally, crustacean shells, rich in chitin, require the automation of the shelling process and in-depth research to optimise their utilisation.
At the heart of these challenges, Valorial plays a key role in supporting stakeholders to develop robust collaborative projects, identify the right partners and sources of funding, and structure innovation initiatives. This meeting confirmed that the ideas are there, motivation is high, and it is time to take action.
These workshops, driven by European projects in which Valorial is a partner, reflect a commitment to building sustainable, local or even regional agri-food supply chains that are always innovative.
