Sector | Marine sector Blue biotechnology

Businesses active in blue biotechnology will find an answer here to “what can ILVO do for me?”. You’ll get a brief overview of relevant expertise, analyses, infrastructure, and the professional approach that characterizes ILVO. You can contact the Marine Living Lab for specific services and questions regarding possible collaborations.

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What does ILVO do?

The sea is not only rich in fish, shellfish, and crustaceans for direct human consumption, but also in other beneficial organisms, raw materials, and molecules. ILVO is researching whether these could be interesting new raw materials in the bioeconomy. ILVO has in-house expertise and equipment to identify and quantify interesting molecules in various biomass thanks to the chromatographic-mass spectrometric measuring platform Meet@all.

> See the list of marine related analyses

> Read more about what ILVO does for bioeconomy
ILVO also evaluates the potential of residual flows from the fishing industry (bycatch, cuttings, shells, etc.) and the fish processing sector as biomass for the bioeconomy. In addition to recycling and waste reduction, the profitability of the blue sectors is a priority.

> Read more about what ILVO does for marine processing and retail, bioeconomy, fishing industry and aquaculture
ILVO investigates different ways to collect, stabilize, and process various forms of biomass efficiently and effectively in applications for food and feed, as well as the pharmaceutical and plastics industries. There is also specific expertise in using chitin in sustainable cultivation substrates and as a means to make plants more resilient.

> Read more about what ILVO does for bioeconomy
ILVO develops cultivation methods for marine organisms with (potentially) interesting bioactive substances or other useful components for use in biotechnology.

> Read also about what ILVO does for aquaculture
ILVO strives for economic security and a more stable income for all links in the agrifood chain via economic business and sector analysis, research into profitability, added value, market competition, distribution, consumer preferences, and the role of cities and municipalities. In order to convert the theoretical knowledge from the research into recommendations that provide support for business leaders, ILVO builds useful web applications and tools.

How does ILVO work?

ILVO strives for optimal use of the resources of the sea, with maximum added value, and far-reaching sustainability in the chain. Together with you, ILVO searches for useful biomass and derived biomolecules in applications for food and feed, as well as the pharmaceutical and plastics industries. This requires an in-depth partnership, in co-creation with our researchers and technicians.

Your point of contact: Marine Living Lab

ILVO’s Marine Living Lab strives for accelerated and sustainable innovation in the blue sectors, according to the principle of co-creation. ILVO listens to you, analyzes your question or challenge, and – together with you – searches for a (high-tech) solution and a concrete project, as well as suitable partners and funding. ILVO scientifically follows up on the implementation of the joint project.

Vision: optimal but sustainable use of marine products

From catch or cultivation to consumption: ILVO strives for an optimal use of the rich marine resources, with maximum added value and a deep commitment to sustainability in the chain. This ranges from well-known and popular food products such as sole, cod and shrimp to new products such as seaweed and purified derived molecules such as chitin, used outside the food sector. This ambition requires a thorough collaboration between researchers and entrepreneurs via co-creation.

Your ILVO guarantee

Scientifically substantiated solutions
Individual and/or co-creative supervision of innovation trajectories
Confidential handling of your question
Clearly interpretable results that can be used in daily practice
Technological support for various business processes

Specialized research infrastructure

Aquaculture facilities for cultivation and experimentation
Professional lab for taste and aroma
Lab for specialized nutritional analysis
Lab for feed evaluation (ANIMALAB)

Wide network

ILVO is an active member of The Blue Cluster and of the Covenant for a Sustainable Fishing Industry (NL). On an international level, ILVO works closely with ICES, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

All ILVO expertises at your service

ILVO works in an interdisciplinary fashion and has a network of living labs that work closely together. A problem or question is therefore examined from many different angles by ILVO experts from different disciplines. This is guaranteed by ILVO's broad and systematic approach, together with the typical openness of the ILVO culture.