Sea to Farm: Roullier Group Recognizes Innovations in Marine Agriculture

By Bertrand Dumarché | Published on Apr 12, 2026 at 6:10 PM

For the Roullier Group, the sea is more than just a historical anchor: it has become a real field of innovation to meet contemporary agricultural challenges. At the 3rd edition of its Innovation Awards, the Malouin group highlights projects from around the world, all united around a common theme: leveraging marine resources to sustainably feed the land.

Exceptional Biological Diversity

“The sea is both the origin and the future of our industry,” summarizes Thomas Georgelin, deputy general manager of the group, who is also a jury member. This conviction is based on exceptional biological diversity: “There are hundreds of species of microalgae, many macroalgae. This wealth opens up vast exploration opportunities.”

Three projects were awarded this year, each illustrating the potential of these resources in their own way. The Exploration prize was awarded to SEA4FEED, led by Josée Prates (University of Lisbon), who is working on optimizing the cultivation of pigment-rich microalgae to demonstrate their beneficial effects on animal health, particularly in poultry farming, through their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.

In a more market-oriented approach, the Stepping Stone prize went to MARFERT, developed by Junio Costa (Brazil). This project aims to transform fish residues into innovative fertilizers, either in liquid form or microencapsulated. This approach fully embraces a circular economy mindset by valorizing byproducts that are currently underexploited.

Finally, the Young Talent prize was awarded to BIOMAT-MAERL, led by Matilde Baruffaldi (Italy). This project proposes to cultivate maerl, a calcareous algae, in pools or open sea to reconcile agricultural production and marine ecosystem restoration, a concrete example of possible synergies between agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

From Research to Field

Beyond the projects themselves, it is the philosophy of the competition that marks an evolution. The Innovation Awards are not just about rewarding ideas: they aim to support their transformation into concrete solutions. “We are not handing out a check. The goal is to follow the projects, guide them to become operational and adapted to the realities of agricultural fields,” emphasizes Thomas Georgelin.

This focus on concrete outcomes was at the core of the selection criteria. “Candidates made a dual effort: proposing disruptive ideas while also offering tangible solutions. They all had a business plan, a precise vision of implementation; some were already able to estimate commercial needs,” he points out. This approach reflects an increasingly strong convergence between the research world and the business world.

Agronomic Performance

The challenges are clearly identified: improving agronomic performance while reducing environmental impact. Soil health, nutritional quality of produce, animal welfare – these dimensions are now integrated from the outset of projects. “There has been a real consideration of ecotoxicity and soil life. Candidates have realized that the soil is the farmer’s working tool,” notes Thomas Georgelin.

Another significant aspect is the increasing role of regulatory constraints, no longer perceived as obstacles but as opportunities for innovation. “During the deliberations, we discussed these aspects extensively. Solutions always exist, especially through partnerships between public and private actors. It’s a win-win situation,” he believes.

A Scientific Incubator

With over 50 applications from 17 countries, this edition confirms the attractiveness of the program and the growing interest in these new resources. For the Roullier Group, relying on an international network and academic collaborations, these Awards represent a genuine scientific incubator capable of bringing about large-scale applicable innovations.

Previous editions have already led to concrete advances, particularly in nitrogen nutrition, with work carried out in partnership with French laboratories. This demonstrates that these bridges between research and industry can lead to operational solutions for farmers.

In a context where agriculture must balance economic performance, environmental requirements, and food sovereignty, the sea appears more than ever as a source of inspiration. In the long term, it could be one of the pillars of tomorrow’s agricultural systems.

Personalize your news by adding your favorite cities and media with My News.