Munster Technological University (MTU), Pure Ocean Algae and Castletownbere Fisherman’s Co-op are leading a consortium to establish a marine Biorefinery in Castletownbere. The feasibility study to support this development is funded through the Smart Regions Scheme. The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland and supported under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is aimed at accelerating economic growth in all regions of the country, by working with stakeholders to deliver on their potential regional enterprise strengths, taking an entrepreneurial ecosystem approach aligned with Ireland’s new Smart Specialisation Strategy.  

The Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) is leading this project, which is intended to determine to determine the economic and technical feasibility of establishing a blue biorefinery in Castletownbere (County Cork, Ireland).  

The proposed facility aims to support sustainable regional economic development through the valorisation of marine biomass and alignment with Ireland’s blue economy and bioeconomy objectives.  

The feasibility study is funded through the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, administered by Enterprise Ireland and supported under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Scheme aims to accelerate economic growth in all regions of Ireland by supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems aligned with Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy.