Duckweed - a water based biomass with potential.

Purpose and goal

The hypothesis has been to show that duckweed is an environmentally and cost-effective biomass. Water-based biomass has a strong environmental profile compared to many of today´s, for example, palm and soy-based raw materials. Our customers, who have tied themselves to Agenda 2030, also show a great demand and need for these raw materials. Because duckweed is a floating plant, there is a potential to make it more cost-effective to harvest and process compared to algae that grow down in the water. The project thus constitutes a potential for the transition to a bio-based social economy.

Expected results and effects

The project shows that duckweed has the potential to be easier to grow and harvest compared to algae. By developing user-friendly harvesting and processing technology, and by combining the cultivation with waste facilities or seawage plants, its investment potential is further increased. Less decentralized aquaculture has the advantage of low investment costs, which means that the dissemination potential of innovation can increase faster in Sweden and globally. A new kind of a business model can be established which is based on the principles of bio- and circular-economy.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was implemented according to the proposed structure. We had some changes in the constellation initially but believe this strengthened the project. It became a broader approach. Instead of one authority, we were given a municipality, a waste area facility and a county government. By this we were provided more direct information and showed cooperation opportunities that can give a profit for both parties.