The ValorMar project, led by a reference institution, SONAE, integrates 18 companies and 13 research and development institutions, with a wide national geographical distribution. ValorMar will develop innovative technological solutions that will increase the valorisation and efficient use of marine resources through the integration of value chains, based on the circular economy concept, and combining: aquaculture, food industry, biomedical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. The main objective of ValorMar is the valorisation of marine resources through the research, development and demonstration of new products and the improvement of the productive processes, proposing innovative solutions that lead to the creation of new healthy food products using innovative, efficient and sustainable technologies.

The project’s specific objectives are:

1) Research and development of innovative snacks and canned products, proposing news strategies to increase shelf life of fish products;

2) development and optimisation of new products, technologies and processes for aquaculture in Portugal and Europe;

3) marine biorefineries – isolation of bioactive marine compounds to be used in a range of applications, including in the formulation of functional foods and in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries;

4) research and development of a technological platform for supporting the traceability of information, making information available to companies and the end consumer in an integrated way, considering the entire value chain;

5) disseminate the scientific and technical knowledge achieved, and implement mechanisms for promoting the economic valorisation of results.

The products, processes and services will be developed in the framework of a transversal mobilization of human resources with extensive knowledge and experience in the development and implementation of R&D projects in the thematic areas of ValorMar.