Bioregion Institute: Developing Circular Solutions and Biodegradable Materials
Bioregion Institute is all about crafting biobased, biodegradable, and fossil-free material models tailored for consumer goods and the built environment industries. Their mission? To transform industrial waste into value – turning what many see as trash into treasure. From wool and seaweed plant pots to innovative playground materials, this institute is pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation.
Main Benefits of Bioregional Solutions
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes their projects stand out:
- Woolly Grow™: Plant pots made from wool and seaweed, developed with LERØY Sea Food in Norway.
- Molded fiber packaging: Packaging crafted from draff and seaweed, currently in process.
- Baremark™: 100% biobased and biodegradable outdoor playgrounds, created with Biospinout One.
- Marine regenerative habitats: Regenerative geopolymer modules for marine restoration, developed with NIVA.
- Oat biodegradable products: Innovative biomaterials based on oat hulls, in partnership with Norgesmøllene.
- Woolly Silent™: Acoustic modules made from low-value Norwegian wool, currently in process.
Innovative Programs and Visionary Projects
The GRØDE program acts as an incubator, accelerating innovation in biodegradable materials. Meanwhile, Lerøy Ocean Forest’s Precious Kelp project aims to recycle unexploited resources around fish farms, absorb CO2, and create biomass from species lower down the food chain – all to reduce aquaculture’s environmental footprint. It’s a smart, circular approach that’s both ambitious and necessary.
Exploring Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage
DREIS is a fascinating project exploring how intangible cultural heritage – think traditional crafts and ancient knowledge of natural materials – can boost sustainable product production and culture-based tourism in Kvam. It’s about connecting the past with the future, and showing how old wisdom can inspire new, eco-friendly ways of living and traveling.
Mycelium Lab and Soil Protection Initiatives
At Bioregion Institute, mycelium-based building materials are seen as a promising alternative to traditional options. These materials are eco-friendly, lightweight, durable, self-healing, and offer excellent insulation. On another front, the PROLAND project tackles plastic pollution in agricultural soils in Norway, aiming to create value by investigating and addressing the sources of this pollution. Both projects highlight a commitment to protecting natural resources and innovating sustainably.
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Additional Circular Economy and Community Projects
Other notable initiatives include SHIFT PLASTICS, which focuses on creating sustainable circular value chains for plastics in fisheries and aquaculture, and SLAM-DUNK, which turns fish sludge into valuable products – literally turning waste into worth. Circular Bergen, co-authored by Bioregion Institute, was the first circular report for the city of Bergen, setting a precedent for urban sustainability. Bioregion Vestland explores how to best use Western Norway’s resources to create profitable, sustainable circular value chains that can replace plastic consumption. And let’s not forget Kaihagen Urban Garden, inspiring people to grow their own food and reduce their carbon footprint, or BioDeepMap, which explores bioresources in material-based art through collaborative artistic research. Together, these projects paint a vibrant picture of innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.
