The EU-funded Multiply project has embarked on a new phase of industrial scaling, bringing together 17 partners to introduce 10 microalgae-derived products to the mass market. These products range from natural food colours to recyclable barrier coatings, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional materials.
With the food industry under increasing pressure to reduce its dependence on fossil-based and land-intensive raw materials, the Multiply initiative — supported by Horizon Europe — is positioning microalgae as a viable high-performance alternative. The project targets five specific species, including Spirulina and Tetraselmis, to develop a cascading bio-refinery model. This model ensures that every part of the algae is utilised for high-value food, feed, and packaging ingredients.
A significant advancement for food manufacturers is the development of recyclable barrier coatings for paper packaging. Led by AIMPLAS, the plastics technology centre, the project is creating algae-based coatings with high water and grease resistance. This innovation offers a direct replacement for traditional paper/polyethylene (PE) multilayer structures, which are challenging to recycle. As a result, it simplifies waste stream management for retailers and brands.
The initiative aligns with the growing Blue Economy trend, leveraging marine-based resources to meet the demand for natural, protein-rich ingredients and sustainable colorants. By substituting synthetic additives with algae-derived proteins and pigments, the project taps into the lucrative clean-label market, offering functional ingredients with a lower carbon and water footprint than traditional agricultural crops.
“Our approach is summed up by the idea that microalgae will drive a circular future,” says Marta Paiva, Multiply project coordinator at A4F. “We are not just looking at lab results; we are focused on specific sectors where algae can realistically replace conventional ingredients, backed by data on performance, sustainability, and scalability.”
Miguel Martínez, project manager at Cetaqua, highlights the circularity of production: “With nutrient recovery from wastewater, we are demonstrating that we can reduce dependence on conventional fertilisers, advancing toward a production model where ‘waste’ becomes a source of resources for the food chain.”
As the project progresses, it aims to set a precedent for sustainable production models, potentially reshaping the food and packaging industries with its innovative use of microalgae.
