AlgaeProBANOS at the EU Algae Awareness Summit 2025: Diving into Algae’s Potential
At the EU Algae Awareness Summit 2025 in Berlin, AlgaeProBANOS joined experts and policymakers to spotlight algae’s growing role in Europe’s green transition.
On the 16th and 17th October 2025, over 250 experts and innovators gathered in Berlin for the EU Algae Awareness Summit, organised by the European Commission and EU4Algae. The event showcased algae’s growing role in Europe’s green transition, from food, agriculture and health to biomaterials and ecosystem services.
Photo by: Lars Huebner
High-level guests, including Germany’s Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity, Alois Rainer, and European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to a sustainable algae sector, reinforced by the signing of a joint Declaration by Germany, France, and other EU Member States that recognises algae as a strategic asset for Europe’s environmental and economic future.
“We showed that algae are not just a mere curiosity, but a strategic resource that can transform how Europe produces food, develops new medicines, creates sustainable materials, and grows its blue bioeconomy,” said Commissioner Kadis.
Speakers at the event included AlgaeProBANOS partners and collaborators such as Mari Granstrom of APB pilot Origin By Ocean, Algae Accelerator beneficiary Morgan Ræ of L’Eautelier, and External Advisory Board member Maria Barbosa of Wageningen University and Research.
The Summit also showcased this potential through exhibitions and networking sessions, featuring innovative products and technologies, bringing together researchers, businesses, and policymakers, driving the blue bioeconomy forward.
The AlgaeProBANOS Experience Exhibition
At the heart of the Summit, AlgaeProBANOS captivated attendees with its Algae Experience Exhibition: a unique, hands-on journey into the world of algae innovation, led by Nikola Berger and Camila Lustosa from the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).
Photo by: Lars Huebner
Through a series of interactive steps, visitors explored algae’s past, present, and future:
- Step 1 – History of Algae: uncovering the roots of algae’s sustainable power
- Step 2 – Future Outlook: envisioning how algae can drive Europe’s regenerative blue bioeconomy
- Step 3 – Touch, Taste, Feel: inviting participants to experience algae through sight, texture, and flavour
- Step 4 – Reflection & Insights: capturing fresh ideas to shape the next wave of innovation
From curious kids to industry experts, visitors immersed themselves in the exhibition, exploring algae’s history, sampling algae-based foods and materials from the AlgaeProBANOS pilots – Origin by Ocean, oceanBASIS GmbH, Vetik, Sjy Seaweed, and Power Algae – and sharing their visions for the future. The space became a vibrant hub of dialogue and discovery, demonstrating how awareness can inspire new ideas.
From Dialogue to Action
Together with the EU4Algae initiative, the Summit marked a shift from discussion to action. Algae are gaining long-overdue recognition as a pillar of Europe’s blue bioeconomy, climate goals, and sustainable industry.
Initiatives like AlgaeProBANOS exemplify this transition, turning research and collaboration into tangible innovation and growth opportunities across the algae value chain.