AQUACOMBINE Halophyte Biorefinery Project

AQUACOMBINE is a four-year EU-funded research project developing a biorefinery concept for halophytes—salt-tolerant plants—enabling their use in saline soils for bioenergy, nutrient recovery, and value-added products. The project, involving 17 partners from 7 countries, focuses on sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, food, feed, cosmetics, and renewable energy. Key research areas include extraction methods, polyphenol recovery, and enzyme stabilization. A stakeholder meeting in Évora, Portugal, in May 2024, brought together industry, end-users, and authorities. The project is coordinated by Aalborg University, with newsletters published by the AQUACOMBINE team. Interviews with researchers from Hochschule Flensburg and the University of Aveiro highlight advances in biogas and fish feed. A documentary by SWR Knowledge features the project as part of future food solutions. Halophytes like Crithmum maritimum (sea fennel) are promoted for their applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics.