Blue biotechnology
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), blue or marine biotechnology is ‘the application of science and technology to living organisms from marine resources, as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services’. Blue biotechnology relies on biological material sourced from marine organisms, such as algae, cyanobacteria, fishery by-products, and microorganisms, and is a cross-cutting approach spanning multiple industries and applications. Unlike traditional seafood production, Blue biotechnology creates higher-value products through advanced biotechnological processes, thereby generating economic value. Some applications include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, feed ingredients, biomaterials, and specialised chemicals. Blue biotechnology’s conceptual framework has evolved beyond resource exploitation to incorporate marine ecosystem restoration and health, reflecting a growing awareness of ocean sustainability challenges.
Size of the EU Blue biotechnology sector
The sector generated a gross value added (GVA) of € 327 million in 2022, a 19%-increase compared with 2021. Gross profit, at € 168 million, increased by 21% compared with the previous year (Figure 8). The turnover reported for 2022 was € 942 million, an 18%-increase on the previous year.
Estimates for 2023 suggest increases of around 3% each for GVA, turnover and gross profit. In 2022, roughly 2 400 people were directly employed in the sector, 13% more than in 2021. The annual average wage was estimated at € 66 300, up 4% compared with 2021. While it is estimated that average remuneration remained similar in 2023, an increase of 3% in employment is estimated for the industry in the same year
Figure 8 Size of the EU Blue biotechnology sector, 2009-2023. Turnover, GVA and gross operating surplus in € billion, persons employed and average wage (€ thousand)
NB: Turnover and people employed in 2023 were estimated based on Eurostat’s preliminary data; GVA, gross operating surplus and average remuneration were estimated assuming they follow the same trend as turnover.
Source: DCF data and authors’ own calculations.
Results by sub-sector and Member State
Germany leads the sector in employment, accounting for 18% of jobs and 29% of GVA, followed by France (18% of jobs and 21% of GVA), Italy (11% of jobs and 11% of GVA), Spain, and the Netherlands (both with 9% of jobs and 7% of GVA).
Figure 9 Share of employment and GVA in the EU Blue biotechnology sector, 2022
Source: Authors’ own calculations based on Eurostat (SBS) data.
Trends and drivers
From 2000 to 2023, the European Blue biotechnology industry attracted an increasing number of investments. Indeed, while between 2000 and 2018 the number of deals (i.e. investment agreements) closed was 90, from 2018 to 2023 the quantity increased to 114. These deals totalled € 405 million, with an average value per transaction of € 5.1 million and a median value of €1.3 million, most often in the form of grants and early-stage investments.
The evolving needs of society and new lifestyles create a demand for diverse and nutritious food options, improved health and well-being, novel biomedicines, natural cosmeceuticals, environmental conservation, and sustainable energy sources. This demand is expected to fuel further research and development in the emerging field of Blue biotechnology.