Research centre, led by Flinders University in Adelaide, develops eco-friendly range of marine bioproducts

Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre, led by Flinders University in Adelaide, aimed to develop plant-based proteins, foods, nutraceuticals, omega-3 oils, cosmetics, biomaterials, bioplastics and more from marine life.
In a boost to a green industry future, Adelaide's Flinders University won $59 million in federal government funding in 2021 – added to its $200 million in partners' support – to open an innovation centre at its Tonsley campus dedicated to harnessing bioproducts from the sea.
The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre aimed to develop products such as high-protein seaweed for cows, reducing bovine flatulence – a major contributor to greenhouse gas. It would also create eco-friendly plastic from seaweed, as well as using marine algae to produce sustainable vegan “caviar”.
The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre, a $270 million venture over 10 years, was a consortium of 68 industry, government and research partners led by Flinders University in South Australia. It had a shared vision of accelerating the growth of the emerging export-focussed marine bioproducts industry.
The consortium linked a broad cross section of industry and research, bringing together Australian major agri businesses, two global chemical industry giants, small and medium enterprises, with most of the country’s leading scientific and engineering leaders in the field.
Using Australia’s unique biomarine resources, the consortium and research centre would work together to develop advanced manufacturing to expand the third-generation of Australian marine bioproducts industry – the first generation being fisheries and the second generation aquaculture.
It aimed to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for certified, safe, sustainable products including: plant-based proteins, foods, nutraceuticals, omega-3 oils, cosmetics, biomaterials, bioplastics and more. A major objective was for Australia to be recognised as a premier supplier and innovator of marine bioproducts globally.