Launch of the Interreg SeaBioMat Project: Towards Sustainable and Circular Fishing

Context

The SeaBioMat project was officially launched in Ostend on March 28 at the Flemish Institute for the Sea (VLIZ). This ambitious initiative aims to develop bio-based and biodegradable materials for the maritime sector to reduce its environmental and climate impact.

Funded by the INTERREG FWVL programme, SeaBioMat has a total budget of €2.76 million, with 60% covered by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project is co-financed by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). It is part of a transition towards a circular blue economy, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional materials used in maritime activities.

The project consortium is led by Centexbel – VKC, the Belgian scientific and technical centre for the textile industry, in collaboration with several European partners: the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), IMT Nord Europe (École Nationale Supérieure Mines-Télécom Lille Douai), EuraMaterials, the competitiveness cluster Aquimer, VLIZ, the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (EV ILVO), as well as associated partners Plastiwin and GreenWin.

SeaBioMat builds on the promising results of the previous SeaBioComp project (INTERREG 2Seas, 2019-2023), which demonstrated the feasibility of bio-based composites made from polylactic acid (PLA) and flax. The current goal is to achieve a higher level of technological maturity by developing new materials suitable for maritime applications, such as fishing nets and trawl skirts (Dolly Rope).

The project will involve processing these materials through injection molding, filament extrusion, and 3D printing, as well as in-depth characterization in terms of mechanical properties, durability, and environmental impact. Real-world testing will be conducted on research vessels to assess performance in the marine environment.

The launch of SeaBioMat represents a significant step toward reducing marine plastic pollution and promoting innovative solutions for a more sustainable maritime sector.