Bioregion Institute

What Bioregion Institute does

Bioregion Institute AS is a privately held Norwegian research and innovation organization headquartered in Laksevåg, Bergen, that helps companies and regions develop fossil-free, biodegradable, and circular materials from underused biological waste resources. Founded by Alexandre Bau, Birgitta Ralston, and Silje Klepsvik, the institute operates a hands-on BioDesign Lab equipped with specialized tools (WASP 40100 3D printer, ZEISS stereo microscope) to produce physical proof-of-concept biomaterials from wool fibers, seaweed extracts, mycelium, oat hull, draff (brewer's spent grain), hemp, and mussel shells. Its core methodology follows a four-phase framework — Mapping (4 weeks), Modelling (8 weeks), Designing, and Upscaling (<10 weeks) — with a stated commitment to deliver proof-of-concept materials within six months.

The institute serves industry partners with waste streams (e.g., Lerøy Seafood Group, FLOKK, Norgesmøllene), municipalities (Bergen kommune, Vestland County), and academic institutions (NIVA, NORCE, University of Bergen, SINTEF Ocean) through project-based R&D collaborations, an Associated Partnership subscription program, and a residency program at its Laksevåg headquarters. Revenue is generated via project commissions from industry and research grants from public funders (Research Council of Norway, Handelens Miljøfond, regional authorities), alongside annual partnership fees and residency fees. Successful projects are commercialized through spinout companies — notably Woolly™ (biodegradable plant pots from low-value wool) and Baremark™ (fossil-free playground surfacing managed via Biospinout One) — creating a venture-creation pipeline that extends the institute's reach into commercial markets.

Name

Bioregion Institute

Legal name

Bioregion Institute AS

Website

https://bioregion.institute

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bioregion Institute is a Norwegian R&D organization that helps companies and regions develop fossil-free, biodegradable biomaterials from biological waste streams (wool, seaweed, oat hull, draff, mussel shells) via its BioDesign Lab, serving industry partners, municipalities, and academic institutions across Vestland and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomaterial R&D and Innovation Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based Polymers & Bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, bio-PE/PP/PET, PBS) (EUAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-based Rigid Packaging (injection/blow/thermoform) (IMANANAD), Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams) (IMAEAOAB), Biorefinery Co-product Recovery, Purification & Separation (Downstream Processing Systems) (EUAAAIAN), Bioprocess Development & Scale-Up/Scale-Down Platforms (DoE, high-throughput, modeling) (HLAAAJAF), Bio-based Food & Flavor Ingredients (Non-fuel Co-products: sweeteners, organic acids, flavors) (EUAAAIAJ)

Keywords

• Biomaterial research
• Circular materials development
• Biodegradable material prototyping
• Waste stream valorisation
• Biodesign lab services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergen

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Associated Partnership Fees: Annual membership program for institutions and companies that provides tailored project plans, free event attendance, and meeting room access. Charged annually from date of creation.
2. Project-Based Research Collaborations: Companies commission Bioregion Institute to develop biomaterials from their waste streams. Includes phases: Mapping, Modelling, Designing, and Upscaling. Projects funded by industry partners, research councils, and regional authorities.
3. Spinout Companies: Successful proof-of-concept projects are spun out as independent ventures (Woolly, Baremark) with own commercial trajectories, creating potential licensing or equity value
4. Residency Program Access: Individual professionals, researchers, and freelancers pay for workspace access and community membership in the bioeconomy and design environment at Laksevåg headquarters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bioregion Institute operates a BioDesign Lab that develops fossil-free, 100% biobased, and 100% biodegradable proof-of-concept materials from biological waste streams including wool fibers, seaweed, oat hull, draff (brewer's spent grain), hemp, and mussel shells. The institute delivers project-based R&D through a four-phase methodology (Mapping, Modelling, Designing, Upscaling) with proof-of-concept delivery within six months. Commercial products are launched via spinout companies (Woolly™, Baremark™, Plenty Planters™).

Product overview

Bioregion Institute is a research and innovation organization focused on developing fossil-free, biodegradable, and circular materials from underused biological resources. The organization operates through a four-phase methodology: Mapping, Modeling, Designing, and Upscaling. The core product portfolio includes two spinout companies—Woolly™ (biodegradable plant pots from low-value wool) and Baremark™ (fossil-free playground surfacing)—alongside multiple research projects including Bioregion Colours (biopigments), Bioregion Essences (bio-perfumes), and various material innovation programs like the GRØDE incubator. The institute also provides a BioDesign Lab for hands-on biomaterial development using resources like wool fibers, seaweed extracts, oat hulls, and draff. Research services cover diverse sectors including agriculture, aquaculture, furniture, construction, and marine restoration, delivered through collaborative partnerships with industry and academic institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Woolly™: Fully biodegradable plant pot made from low-value wool for greenhouses, nurseries, and professional agriculture. Includes Woolly Grow™ and Woolly Slow™ product lines.
• Baremark™
• Bioregion Colours
• Bioregion Essences
• Woolly Silent™
• Fibre packaging

Products and services

• Woolly™
• Woolly Silent™
• Baremark™
• Plenty Planters™
• Bioregional Chair
• BioDesign Lab R&D Services
• Associated Partnership Program
• Residency Program
• GRØDE Incubator Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% biodegradable materials that can be fully absorbed by natural ecosystems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lerøy Seafood Group - Ocean ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership to develop Woolly Pot (wool and seaweed based plant pots) and explore seaweed valorisation for bio-materials and bio-based products from aquaculture waste streams. Lerøy provides access to kelp production (45 tons/day) and marine waste resources.
• NORSØKcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in Woolly project for sustainable horticulture, contributing expertise in utilizing downgraded wool for plant pots to reduce plastic waste from Norwegian agriculture.
• Toppe GartnericoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian horticulture partner testing and validating Woolly Pot (biodegradable plant pot) in professional greenhouse and nursery applications.
• BybondencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban farming partner in Bergen, collaborator on Woolly Pot project and Kaihagen urban garden initiative.
• FLOKKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian furniture company collaborating on Bioregional Chair project to develop bio-based composites (hempwood, mussel shells, kelp) for office chair production.
• BioCelicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator with FLOKK and Bioregion Institute on developing bio-based material pathways for future furniture, exploring biological side streams and bio-based binders.
• NORCEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject lead for SLAM-DUNK consortium developing sustainable value chain for conversion of fish sludge into valuable products using anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and microalgae technologies.
• University of BergencoreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner in SLAM-DUNK project for sustainability analysis and microalgae cultivation research.
• Wageningen UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational academic partner from Netherlands in SLAM-DUNK project contributing to aquaculture sludge research and value chain development.
• NorgesmøllenecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Norwegian flour mill commissioning Bioregion Institute to explore how low-value oat hull biowaste can be developed into high-value industrialised biomaterials and products.
• UiB KMDcoreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner for Bioregion Colours project investigating how regional biomass can become stable, high-quality pigments for design and material applications.
• VIS (VISINNOVASJON)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject owner for Arctic BIOHACK hackathon program exploring marine value chain innovation beyond fish fillet and fishery products.
• Sjølingstad UldvarefabrikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage wool textile manufacturer contributing expertise to Woolly project.
• Midtun VekstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorticulture partner collaborating on Woolly Pot testing and development.
• PWC BergencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored first circular report for Bergen municipality, contributing to circular economy strategy development.
• Bergen MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Circular Bergen report and strategy, funding circular economy initiatives.
• VestlandforskingcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in Shift Plastics project for circular value chains in fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• SINTEF OceancoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in Shift Plastics addressing plastic pollution from fisheries and aquaculture.
• NIVAcoreTechnology or IntegrationLead partner for ByHav project on regenerative geopolymers marine modules from marine waste for coastal ecosystem restoration.
• NIVAcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in PROLAND project addressing plastic pollution sources in Norwegian agricultural soils.
• VestlandsforskingcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in DREIS sustainable tourism project exploring biomaterials and traditional crafts in Kvam.
• Hardanger og Voss Museum (HVM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural heritage partner in DREIS project for natural rope production from local bio-raw materials.
• Marin Eiendomsutvikling AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandowner partner for Kaihagen urban garden project, developing urban permaculture modules at Laksevåg quay.
• ElverdalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Baremark playground surfacing development, kickstarting R&D process with Biospinout One.
• Ocean Forest (Lerøy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLerøy subsidiary focused on seaweed cultivation and marine waste valorisation, harvesting 45 tons of kelp daily with plans to scale.
• Chrissie MuhrminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect, researcher and curator presenting at Post Full Moon Eclipse event on biomaterials in architecture.
• NIBIOcoreTechnology or IntegrationNorwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, listed as Research Partner on team page.
• NORCEcoreTechnology or IntegrationNorwegian Research Centre, listed as Research Partner supporting biomaterial innovation projects.
• University of BergencoreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic Research Partner contributing to biomaterial research and Slam Dunk project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Loliware: US startup producing seaweed-based bioplastic alternatives for single-use products. Comparable emerging player in seaweed valorisation, though focused on consumer goods rather than Bioregion's broader multi-feedstock waste-to-material platform.
• Materiom: Open-source platform and collaborative community for biomaterial recipes developed from natural waste streams. Comparable in mission and methodology to Bioregion's open bioeconomy approach and the GRØDE incubator, though Materiom focuses on recipe sharing rather than commissioned POCs.
• Keel Labs: Canada-based company producing seaweed-based fiber (Tethys) as a textile alternative. Comparable in converting marine biomass into sustainable materials, though Keel focuses on textile fiber whereas Bioregion's wool/seaweed work spans pots, tiles, and surfacing.
• Sway: US-based company producing seaweed-based flexible packaging films. Overlaps with Bioregion's Precious Kelp project and fibre packaging streams, addressing seaweed valorisation for commercial packaging.

Direct peers

• Ecovative Design: US-based biomaterials company using mycelium and other bio-based feedstocks to produce packaging, building materials, and leather alternatives. Directly comparable as a bio-design lab commercializing multiple material platforms from waste streams, with a spinout-style product portfolio spanning packaging, surfacing, and structural applications.
• Notpla: UK-based company developing seaweed-based packaging and edible films as plastic alternatives. Comparable to Bioregion's Precious Kelp and fibre-packaging work with seaweed/draff feedstocks, addressing single-use packaging replacement.

Others

• SINTEF Ocean: Norwegian research institute and Bioregion's collaborator on aquaculture and fisheries projects (Shift Plastics). Functions as an enabling research partner providing scientific infrastructure — comparable as a Norwegian R&D ecosystem node, but not a direct commercial competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer IGB: German applied research institute focused on bioprocess engineering, biobased products, and industrial biotechnology. Comparable as a contract R&D partner helping companies convert biological feedstocks into commercial materials, with similar four-phase methodology and pilot-scale facilities.
• BioInnovation Institute: Denmark-based non-profit incubator accelerating bio-based and life-science ventures. Comparable as a Nordic public-mission biotech/bioeconomy accelerator that commercializes lab-stage research into independent companies — analogous to Bioregion's GRØDE incubator and spinout model.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's applied research organization with deep capabilities in bioprocessing, bioeconomy, and biomaterials. Comparable as a publicly-funded Nordic applied-research institute operating at lab-to-market scale across multiple bio-based material programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bioregioninstitute
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bioregion Institute