The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) is to contribute to food security and safety, sustainable resource management, innovation and value creation through research and knowledge production within food, forestry and other bio-based industries. The implementation and development of circular bioeconomy is therefore central in its research agenda and the Institute is routinely engaged in relevant national and international projects. SYMBIOMA is especially important for NIBIO since it will allow to explore possibilities for new value creation in the northern part of Norway, and further utilize available resources. Through increased innovation and R&D transfer, SYMBIOMA will help in exploring and developing circular value chains while increasing the usage of currently wasted biomass, and therefore help in further developing the emerging circular bioeconomy in the arctic regions of Norway. The project will not only deliver analysis and much-needed theoretical foundations, but it will further provide training and support to relevant stakeholders. NIBIO participates in the SYMBIOMA project through two Departments: Department of Horticulture, and Department of Economics and Society; both departments are under the Division of Food Production and Society.
SYMBIOMA’s core team:
Dr. Inger Martinussen has a PhD in plant physiology/plant molecular biology. Her research has concentrated on plant – environment interactions with the emphasis on adaptation to northern climatic conditions. The last five years she has been the head of department of Horticulture in NIBIO in addition to her own research. Her role in SYMBIOMA is managing the Norwegian part of the project and contribute with her knowledge about the Norwegian horticulture sector.
Hilde Halland has an educational background in Natural sciences, a bachelor in ecology and a Master in horticulture, but has an extensive work experience in R&D, education and policy connected with agri-food businesses. She is currently doing her PhD in social sciences on sustainable local food production, and is involved in the project through stakeholder contacts, mapping and business model development.
Dr. Lamprinakis has extensive experience in industrial organization (I/O) and currently works on several research projects related to new value chains that are utilize side/by-products and the circular bioeconomy. His involvement in the project relates to the value chain analysis and the development of the relevant business models for the industrial waste biomass in the examined cases.