New Business Model for European Lobster
Nordic Innovators has successfully assisted Norsk Hummer Drift AS in securing funding from the SME Instrument Phase 2.
Through the SELAM project, sustainable, high-quality farmed European lobster will reach the market with significant added value for the customer compared to existing wild-caught alternatives. The innovative production process is based on a novel business model for shellfish sea ranching.
The SELAM process combines land-based aquaculture of hatched eggs through the larval and juvenile stages before release into sea-ranching ocean mariculture where growth happens without human interference and at no cost. After approx. 5 years, the lobsters are harvested and sold at portion-size, which attracts the highest price among lobster products.
"From the beginning, Nordic Innovators (NI) demonstrated expert knowledge. Based on our prototype set-up and R&D needs, NI took the lead and developed a clear EU funding strategy for us. It has been a pleasure working NI's consultants. They have guided us smoothly through the process and developed very high quality proposals. Our final SME Instrument Phase 2 proposal was the only project being funded under the Blue Growth Call.”
Karl Christian Baumann, CEO of Norsk Hummer and Coordinator of the SELAM project