Launched in June 2025, the Horizon Europe project brings together specialists from across Europe to develop and scale ten microalgae-based solutions for five industrial sectors. By replacing traditional fossil- and food-based ingredients, the project aims to reduce the environmental footprint of everyday products and bring algae-based alternatives closer to market.
Working with five microalgae species – diatoms, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Tetraselmis, Nannochloropsis and Chromochloris zofingiensis – MULTIPLY is developing ten products designed to show how algae can serve diverse markets:
- Food: natural colours and protein-rich ingredients
- Feed: a salmon feed component enriched with microalgal compounds
- Cosmetics: personal-care oils and esters
- Lubricants: bio-based esters engineered for high-performance applications
- Biomaterials and packaging: compostable films, paper coatings and other packaging solutions based on algal oils and starch.
“Microalgae powering a circular future sums up our approach,” said project coordinator Marta Paiva from A4F during the latest project review meeting in Berlin. “We focus on concrete products and sectors where algae can realistically replace conventional ingredients, supported by data on performance, sustainability and scalability.”
In the coming months, MULTIPLY is scheduled to launch pilot nutrient-recovery activities, test a new monitoring tool and deliver the first algae extracts and oils for product development – representing key steps in bringing algae-based solutions closer to the market. Simultaneously, the consortium plans to deepen sustainability and market-acceptance studies to prepare the ground for future algae-based commodities.
