WAVE: Waste to Valuable Materials to address the Marine Cold Climate Challenge

Background and goals

This project, WAVE, aims to strengthen the Nordic bioeconomy by addressing sustainability
challenges through cross-border collaboration, education, and innovation. The initiative focuses
on marine waste valorisation, sustainable resource use, and circular economy principles,
bringing together students, researchers, and industry partners from across the Nordic and Baltic
regions.

Objectives and benefits

One of the key objective is to enhance bioeconomy skills among students through
interdisciplinary learning. The project will develop digital learning materials, including course modules, case studies, and problem-solving activities, ensuring practical, industry-relevant
education. Hackathons and workshops will serve as platforms for co-creating solutions,
integrating expertise from academia and industry

Results

By working at a Nordic/Baltic level, the project benefits from shared expertise, regional
synergies, and stronger networks. Expected outcomes include a new bioeconomy course
module, industry-relevant solutions from hackathons, and strengthened collaboration between research institutions and businesses. The project will contribute to long-term sustainability, innovation, and economic growth in the Nordic bioeconomy.

Abstract

WAVE – Waste to Valuable Materials to address the Marine Cold Climate Challenge – is a Nordic–Baltic collaboration addressing marine waste and underutilized aquatic biomass in cold climate regions. The project links education, research, and industry to develop circular bioeconomy solutions that combine ecosystem restoration with sustainable material innovation. Through cross-border study visits, an international seminar, a joint bioeconomy course module, and a hackathon, WAVE equips students, researchers, and companies with practical skills in circularity, material recovery, and sustainable resource use. The project brings together Arcada University of Applied Sciences (Finland) as coordinator, LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University of Borås (Sweden), University of Latvia, and the company Under Ytan from the Åland Islands, creating a strong platform for innovation, joint research, and long-term Nordic–Baltic cooperation.

Sustainable development goals