The blue value chain

Marine resources are renewable but inherently limited, so it is crucial to use whatever we harvest as efficiently as possible. In Sweden, about 26,000 tons of seafood processing residuals are generated each year. Today, only half of the side stream biomass from fisheries and seafood processing are, at best, used for low-value purposes such as feed.

At RISE, we can help any actor along the value chain: from seafood and (micro)algae producers that desire increased revenue on their side streams; to product and brand owners that want to replace their fossil-based feedstock with a blue sustainable counterpart or are searching for the next generation functional or bioactive materials

In our flagship initiative MAREFINE, we have brought experts from all parts of RISE to valorize; shrimp, algae, and fish, into high value cosmetic, nutraceutical, textile, and medtech products. A key technology is the biorefinery, intended to extract as many of the valuable components from the biomass as possible. Here, RISE offers both small lab scale testing and full pilot and demo scale refinery processes. To ensure that the refinery and valorization process are both economically and environmentally sustainable, we offer continuous life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic evaluations throughout the development. At the Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre in Fiskebäckskil, RISE is part of a large testbed that helps companies to develop new innovative blue value chains.

From marine resource to high value product

RISE has expertise and experience to extract and valorize a range of functional and bioactive components from various types of marine biomasses. Key examples include:

• Chitin & Chitosan – polysaccharides obtained from crustacean shells, e.g., shrimp and crab
• Alginate – a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds (kelp), e.g., Laminaria digitata.
• Ulvan – a bioactive sulfated polysaccharide extracted from green seaweeds (sea lettuce), e.g., Ulva fenestrata
• Fucoidan – a bioactive sulfated complex polysaccharide from brown seaweeds (kelp), e.g., Saccharina latissima.
• Carrageenan – a sulfated polysaccharide from red seaweeds (sea moss), e.g., Chondrus crispus
• Collagen, gelatine and collagen hydrolysate – a fibrous bioactive protein from fish waste (skins, bones, scales) or other animal by-products
• Byssus (“sea silk”) – a proteinaceous fiber produced by mussels
• Diatom frustules – the mesoporous silica shells from diatoms, i.e., microalgae
• Chrysolaminarin – a neutral polysaccharide produced by microalgae to store energy
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids – bioactive lipids, e.g. omega 3 (EPA and DHA) produced by macro- and microalgae and found in fish
• Pigments – e.g. fucoxanthin and astaxanthin found in both macro- and microalgae as well as crustacean shells.

We develop our high value prototypes and products from the extracted marine components using a battery of manufacturing methods. With respect to textiles for fashion, wound dressings, nutraceuticals, drug delivery vehicles, and scaffolds for regenerative medicine, our key techniques include: 

• Solution spinning  – RISE has expertise in wet-spinning of biopolymers, from lab, pilot, to demo scale. Our workshop in Mölndal encompasses the entire value chain: from fiber development; via either continuous filaments or staple fibers including; cutting, crimping, carding, and yarn spinning; to knitted textiles.
• Solution blowing – A nonwoven fabrication technique that combines the versatility of electrospinning with the scalability of melt blowing. Can be used to design wound dressing, superabsorbents, filtration, and biomimicking tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Formulations and controlled release – many bioactive ingredients from marine biomass (e.g. antioxidant pigments from algae, fish oils, vitamins, and bioactive peptides) are most useful when encapsulated for protection and/or controlled delivery. In other cases, the marine-derived component can constitute the entire drug delivery vehicle. RISE’s formulation scientists develop emulsification, dispersion, coating, and encapsulation techniques to formulate sensitive substances in creams, gels, and micro- or nanoparticles.
• 3D-Bioprinting – RISE is actively exploring 3D-printing of biomaterials, particularly for medical and life science applications. Our technology is used to combine living cells with biological or synthetic materials to build tissue-like structures. 

We further offer full characterization of the products in terms of mechanical performance, chemical safety, and accredited testing of biological function in vitro and in vivo. Please contact us for more information.

Land-based aquaculture and seafood industries consume large amounts of water and thus also generate a wide range of residual water streams of varying quantity and quality. Some are extremely rich in salt and nutrients, such as phosphate, nitrogen and organic carbon. Current methods for wastewater treatment are very expensive and energy-intensive. In addition, valuable nutrients are lost from the food chain, and in the best case are instead used for low-value purposes such as biogas. At the same time, the demand for new and sustainable resources for the production of food, materials and energy is increasing.

Cultivation of microalgae in wastewater streams could solve this dual problem. Microalgae are microscopic organisms that have a unique ability to carry out photosynthesis and efficiently convert dissolved nutrients into biomass in the form of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates and carotenoids.

The specific aims of SEAlgaePower are to optimize pilot-scale algae cultivation and wastewater cleaning; develop biorefinery protocols for protein, lipid, and carbohydrate recovery from the microalgal biomass; and to develop microalgae-based product prototypes and ingredients in a bioprospecting manner. RISE will here focus specifically on the development of fiber-based materials for wound healing and regenerative medicine using high molecular weight carbohydrates and proteins as well as on the encapsulation of bioactive lipids, pigments, and peptides.

Fiber materials are used in a wide range of areas where one or more functions, beyond the fiber’s mechanical properties, are crucial for their application. This can range from biodegradable agrotextiles in agriculture and functional textiles for total defense to antimicrobial wound dressings. For over a decade, we have been developing functional fibers, primarily for advanced wound care and regenerative medicine. Below is a summary of fiber materials and prototypes developed in our lab, each with different functionalities for various applications.

MedTech and ATMP

• Infection control, antimicrobial function - wound dressings
• Cell adhesion/growth, tissue regeneration – implants, artificial transplants, sutures, surgical meshes
• Immunoadsorption – dialysis, universal blood plasma

Hygiene and Healthcare

• Superabsorbent - incontinence products, diapers
• Fluid/heat transport – dressings, compresses
• Thermal insulation - orthoses

Smart Textiles and Protective Clothing

• Dyeing - clothing
• Electrical conductivity - e-textiles, sensors
• Water/dirt repellency (superhydrophobicity) - protective and functional clothing
• Flame retardancy - protective clothing

Miscellaneous Technical Textiles (Agrotextiles, Geotextiles)

• Crop protection - agrotextiles: mulch films/fabrics, root protection nets
• Antifouling - aquaculture nets
• Phase change materials (temperature control) - covers, textiles for construction and building
• Piezoelectric fibers - textiles for construction and building sensors

Our Offering

We manufacture our functional fiber materials using wet and melt spinning, as well as related nonwoven fabrication techniques such as solution blowing, spun bonding, and thermal bonding. The functionality can be introduced via:

• The dope solution: Functionality is achieved by incorporating an additive (particle or active substance) directly to the fiber forming polymer solution/melt.
  • In some cases, the fiber-forming macromolecule itself is functional, for example, through tailored biodegradability or bioactivity. A major focus here is on biopolymers from marine resources, such as algae and by-products from the seafood industry.
  • Often, we introduce functionality using microcapsules or other delivery vehicles such as mesoporous silica. These delivery vehicles can be used to either enable controlled release of the active substance (e.g., antimicrobial agents) or permanently encapsulate and protect it from the environment (e.g., dyes and sensors).
• Coagulation bath or subsequent processing steps:
  • Molecules and particles with functional groups can be adsorbed onto the fiber surface in the coagulation bath.
  • Chemical reactions can be used to crosslink the fiber material or modify its surface with functional groups, for instance using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).

• Advanced spinnerets for complex cross-sectional morphology and surface topography:

  • We can produce fibers with complex surface structures, which influence properties such as wettability.
  • We can also create multicomponent fibers, for example core–sheath morphologies, which serve similar functions as microcapsules (see above).

  We also offer subsequent characterization and evaluation of the obtained functionality. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

   

Textiles are by far the most common material category for body-close applications, which means they can have a significant impact on health—particularly on the skin and mucous membranes. Given the wide variety of textile materials and products, it is important for both manufacturers and users to be able to identify the most suitable options for specific applications. To achieve this, several testing methods are available that can quantify relevant properties of different products and materials.

Our services cover a broad range of product categories within health and medical care. These include healthcare textiles such as bed linens, patient clothing, and garments for healthcare personnel. We also work with mattresses and wheelchair cushions for pressure ulcer prevention, as well as other pressure-relieving products. Hygiene and sanitary products, including incontinence items, are also part of our focus area, along with orthoses, prosthetic sockets and associated liners.

We offer our expertise in various contexts to support our clients. It can be challenging for users to understand the differences between products. By utilizing a carefully selected set of measurement methods, we help clarify these differences. In procurement processes, we assist in evaluating different suppliers’ offerings. Manufacturers can benefit from our expertise to benchmark their products against competitors or to receive support in product development, including material selection. We also provide general advice and consultation in this field.

The properties we analyze are crucial for understanding how textile materials affect the user. We focus on product and material characteristics that influence functionality and interaction with the human body. This includes, among other things: the microclimate closest to the skin, moisture management properties, thermal properties, friction, and pressure distribution characteristics.

Examples of measurable properties and applicable test methods:

• Moisture and thermal resistance through material layers using the Skin Model (SS-EN ISO 11092)
• Measurement of moisture management properties in material layers using the Moisture Management Tester (AATCC 195)
• Pressure distribution properties of wheelchair cushions (measured with test subjects)
• Pressure distribution properties of medical mattresses according to SS 8760013
• Microclimate properties (moisture and heat) of wheelchair cushions and medical mattresses using the Sweating Indenter (internal method)
• Microclimate properties of dressings, compresses, bandages, etc. (method adapted to need)
• Absorption properties of nonwoven products (diapers, pads, etc.) according to ISO 9073
• Total absorption of diapers according to ISO 11948-1 (Rothwell method)
• Absorption properties of tampons using Syngina according to EDANA method NWSP 350.1.R1(15)
• Absorption capacity and related properties of dressings, compresses, etc. according to EN 13726
• Functional properties (selected) of surgical and respiratory masks according to SS-EN 14683
• Properties of fabrics for healthcare textiles according to SS 8760002

In some cases, customized testing methods are required. Quite often, no existing method meets the specific requirements. In such cases, we offer tailored adaptations of existing methods or the development of new ones to suit the intended application.

At RISE we help validate components and finalized designs of polyester-based products comprising different types of polyester such as PET, PBT, PTT, and polyester copolymers.

We use solvolytical methods, glycolysis, methanolysis and hydrolysis to depolymerize your material. We can recover the terephthalate-based monomers in solid form or detect their concentration in reaction solution using GC-MS. Further analyses, such as purity of monomer product or detection of other degradation products in solution are available. Only a few grams of specimen is needed.

Manufacturers of products for healthcare play a crucial role in ensuring that manufacturing and material choices are made with consideration for both chemical safety and sustainability from a life cycle perspective. 

Today, the healthcare sector worldwide produces large amounts of waste, averaging 2 kg per care place per day. By designing with a holistic approach from the start, manufacturers can reduce the amount of packaging material, simplify recycling, and support the transition from single-use to reusable products. When making changes in manufacturing processes, material choices, or recycling methods, it is important to carefully evaluate different options. The safety of both patients and healthcare staff must always be the primary consideration in all decisions. 

Our offer

To ensure that both functionality, safety, and environmental impact are considered from a life cycle perspective, we at RISE are inspired by the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) method. This method helps us evaluate several sustainability aspects of a product or process, from design to the end of the life cycle, where we strive to minimize negative effects and optimize both functionality and sustainability. 

We offer testing according to standards and can also tailor test packages specifically suited to your product, as well as adapted to the phase of product development you are in. 

For example, we can assist with the evaluation of:

Function

• Absorption capacity: Tests according to EN 13726 and EN ISO 9073 for nonwoven products.
• Abrasion resistance: Tests according EN ISO 12947.
• Antimicrobial efficacy: Tests according to e.g. EN 17854, ISO 20743 or AATCC TM100.
• Comfort: Tests for friction, thermal insulation, bending stiffness, draping, permeability, and Moisture Management.
• Personal tests in climate chambers: Ability to record moisture and temperature at various locations in garments and products on or near the human body during activity or rest in climate rooms.
• Aroma analysis: Tests according to SNV 195 651 (Panel odour test).
• Aging: Accelerated aging in controlled chambers.
• Cleanability: washing and drying of textiles and reprocessing of medical devices, including simulated use with test soil.
• Tensile properties of textile materials: Tests according to ISO 13934-1 and -2.

Safety

• Biological evaluation according to ISO 10993.
• Advice on biocides and related legislation.
• Chemical analysis and testing

Environmental impact

• Life cycle assessment
• Recycling: Evaluation of the recycling potential for materials and processes.
• Environmental product declaration, EPD
• Substitution of hazardous chemicals in products and processes