The IMPRESS Project aims to address the urgent need to make Europe’s marine and freshwater bio-based systems sustainable, resource-efficient, and waste-free. Currently, a large portion of seafood production goes unused, with valuable nutrients lost as waste, and low-trophic species (LTS) often discarded or only minimally used. Using energy-efficient technologies, IMPRESS aims to transform these low-value resources into high-value products, such as alternative food and feed ingredients, bio-fertilisers, biodegradable packaging, and nutrient-rich LTS-based formulations. The project is building a robust bioeconomy that supports a sustainable and inclusive future for local communities. On a social level, IMPRESS aims to educate and raise awareness among people across Europe and beyond about the environmental and health benefits of sustainably produced seafood products, with over 10,000 people reached so far. The environmental impacts include targets for a 30% reduction in waste, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly lower the amount of waste sent to landfills across the seafood supply chain. IMPRESS’s efforts demonstrate how innovative approaches to resource use can create a positive impact on both people and the planet.
The general objective of IMPRESS is to co-create, deliver and promote new products and improved processes from freshwater and marine low–trophic species. IMPRESS will achieve this with five key specific objectives that will address key sustainability challenges that exist within the Blue Bioeconomy sector from primary production to consumption.
1. To apply user-participatory approach to innovation process to achieve responsible production, consumption and disposal of low tropic species (LTS) waste and ensure social sustainability of project results
2. To develop comprehensive training and outreach programmes for blue economy professionals and promote the exchange of results and best practices
3. To develop new value chains using a zero-waste approach from processing streams of LTS
4. To assess and enhance environmental and economic sustainability of new and existing value chains developed for LTS
5. To co-create, deliver and promote diverse range of new food and feed products from LTS, including packaging formulated to fulfil the consumer’s requirements
