“Sargassum is often seen only as a coastal problem, but it's actually an underused marine biomass with enormous potential. But our project is also about people and knowledge exchange. We're connecting researchers and innovators across Europe and Cuba to build the skills, evidence and partnerships that are needed to move from scientific understanding towards practical solutions for coastal regions, agriculture and the bioeconomy.”
- Prof. Mercè Llugany, Project Coordinator,
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
SARGEX, “Sargassum Bioeconomy: From Coastal Biomass to Advanced Sustainable Materials”, is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges project running from January 2026 to December 2029.
The consortium brings together partners from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Ireland and Cuba, combining expertise in marine biology, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, circular economy, communication and stakeholder engagement.
Through international and intersectoral staff exchanges, SARGEX will strengthen research cooperation, share knowledge across regions and build skills for future innovation. The project connects scientific research with practical application, policy relevance and market-readiness.
About SARGEX
SARGEX combines research, training and practical innovation. The project will study the composition and properties of Sargassum biomass, develop bioinput formulations for agricultural use, explore biodigestion for biogas production, and assess environmental, economic and social factors affecting future uptake.
Staff exchanges will help partners share knowledge across academic and non-academic settings. Stakeholder engagement, communication, exploitation planning and policy-oriented activities will support the translation of project results into useful solutions for coastal communities, SMEs and decision-makers.
Our Approach
Expected Outcomes
SARGEX is delivering new knowledge, tools and product pathways for turning sargassum into valuable bio-based outputs.
Planned results include sargassum-based bio-inputs, biochar and biogas routes, modular processing approaches, scientific publications, policy briefs, training materials, stakeholder events and exploitation guidance. The project will also strengthen skills in sustainable biomass processing, circular economy approaches and technology transfer. Together, these outcomes will help build the foundations for future Sargassum-based value chains.
The Impact
SARGEX aims to reduce the environmental and economic burden of Sargassum blooms while creating opportunities for circular bioeconomy development. Its solutions could support coastal resilience, renewable energy generation, soil improvement and more sustainable agricultural inputs.
By linking research with market, policy and community engagement, the project contributes to wider priorities around climate resilience, biodiversity, circular economy and sustainable resource use. Its longer-term value lies in turning a recurring coastal challenge into practical benefits
The Workflow
