Commission launches platform to promote production and use of algae

The Commission has launched with a number of partners ‘EU4Algae', a European algae stakeholder platform to accelerate the development of a European algae industry and promote algae for culinary and other uses among consumers and businesses in the EU. Despite their many benefits such as their high nutritional value and sustainability, the uptake in Europe of algae production and consumption is slow. In the Farm to Fork strategy - a key component of the European Green Deal – algae were identified as important source of alternative protein for a sustainable food system, and their role in climate mitigation is also recognised. The role of algae in offering certain ecosystem services such as absorption of excess nutrients as well as in providing consumers with lower environmental footprint aquaculture products is recognized in the Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030 and Communication on Sustainable Blue Economy and adopted in May 2021. The platform will improve cooperation between European algae farmers, producers, sellers, technology developers as well as investors, public authorities, academia, researchers and NGOs. It will also act as a single information hub on algae funding calls, projects, business-related information and best practices. Outside of the culinary realm, algae have turned into a go-to feedstock for sustainable industrial applications, such as biodegradable plastics. Moreover, their production helps improving ocean health by reducing carbon dioxide, phosphorus and nitrogen in marine ecosystems. They also provide shelter for many marine animals, promoting underwater biodiversity. The EU4Algae platform will draft recommendations to support the preparation of the EU Algae initiative and Action Plan announced in the Communication on Sustainable Blue Economy and planned for later this year. More information is in the news item.

Share this article: