Marine Materials: From Innovation to Industry in the Baltic Sea

Marine biomaterials are emerging as one of the most promising frontiers of the blue economy. From reed- & algae-based materials and marine side streams to next-generation textiles, packaging, chemicals, and bio-based products, innovators across the Nordics are developing solutions that have the potential to transform entire industries.

The Finland and the Nordic region holds exceptional conditions for leading this transition. Strong research ecosystems, advanced material expertise, world-class design capabilities, access to marine and bio-based resources, and ambitious sustainability targets create a unique foundation for building competitive and scalable marine biomaterial industries. At the same time, increasing global demand for more sustainable alternatives is opening new markets for Nordic innovations.

Yet many promising ideas and technologies struggle to move beyond research, pilots, and early-stage demonstrations. The key challenge is no longer only innovation, but the ability to connect research, design, production, and market demand into functioning and scalable value chains.

How can we build strong Nordic marine biomaterial value chains? How should innovations be designed to meet real industrial and market needs? What do brands, manufacturers, and investors look for when adopting new materials? And what kinds of partnerships are next required to move from fragmented pilots to scalable business models and ecosystems?

This interactive deep dive brings together researchers, designers, startups, industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem builders to explore how marine biomaterial innovations can be translated into commercially viable and scalable value chains.

Whether you are developing new biomaterials, working in product design, commercializing research, building industrial partnerships, or exploring new opportunities in the circular bioeconomy, this session offers practical insights from both scientific pioneers and market leaders.

Why Join?

• Understand the emerging Nordic marine biomaterials landscape and current market opportunities.
• Discuss how value chains can be designed from the earliest stages of innovation and how successful biomaterial innovators align research, design, production, and market needs.
• Gain insights into how brands, manufacturers, and investors evaluate new material innovation potential.
• Discover how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate commercialization and scaling.
• Connect with researchers, designers, startups, industry leaders, and investors shaping the future of marine materials.

Who Should Attend?

• Marine biomaterial startups and scaleups
• Researchers and universities
• Designers and product developers
• Manufacturers and industrial partners
• Consumer brands exploring sustainable materials
• Circular economy and bioeconomy professionals
• Investors and impact funds
• Aquaculture, blue food, and marine resource companies
• Anyone interested in building scalable ocean-based material businesses

A'Pelago Initiative 2026 Marine Biomaterials Track, build in partnership with Arcada, brings together the innovators, designers, researchers, companies, and investors shaping the future of Nordic marine materials. Join the discussion and explore how well-designed value chains can turn marine biomaterial innovations into scalable, investable, and globally competitive business opportunities.

Arcada is a Helsinki-based university of applied sciences with strong expertise in sustainable and functional materials, circular economy, and applied innovation. It works closely with marine biomaterial innovation and development in muiltible projects.