I would like to show: things are different!
With this clear sentence, Prof. Norbert Reintjes, head of the course Environmental engineering and management At TH Lübeck to the point, which drives him. The professor of industrial ecology in Department of Applied Sciences Working with an interdisciplinary team of science, start-ups and practice partners to translate scientific ideas into solutions for sustainable, resource-friendly production-not at some point, but now. The basis is the potential of blue bioeconomy.
The goal: an environmentally friendly economy that protects the environment and yet covers the increasing need for biological raw materials.
The aquator – bridge between water, land and innovation
Reintjes works with a network of committed partners Project Aquator. Funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) In the innovation room “Bioeconomy in Marine locations” (BAMS), Aquator is now established as a non-profit organization in Schleswig-Holstein. Cooperation partners are, among other things, TH Lübeck, which Cau Kielthe Carl from Ossietzky University Oldenburgthe Fraunhofer Imte and that University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) – supplemented by numerous experts from science, economy and administration.
Future from the sea
Algae, mussels, microorganisms – once not noticed, today key for a more sustainable production. The blue bioeconomy relies on aquatic resources in order to gain food, bio -plastic, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. The focus is not only on product development, but also a rethink: close circuits, use by -products, intelligently combine fabric flows.
From research into practice
Originally founded as a business accelerator, the Aquator has been a central platform for sustainable founding ideas in northern Germany since 2020. Aquator gGmbH was founded in August 2024 – supported by the project participants themselves. All members are also partners – this shows the great intrinsic motivation to really move something here
emphasizes Reintjes. The gGmbH sees itself as an interface for foundation, research and technology transfer. It accompanies projects from laboratory analysis to the Proof of Concept to the market strategy – with the clear goal of making production regionally, practical and sustainable.
New solutions for old challenges
How do we eat a growing world population in a resource -saving way? One thing is clear: alternatives such as algae breeding, aquaculture or insect flour.
Here the aquator supports researchers and founders with research infrastructure (laboratories, workshops, sea water access, air conditioning chambers), professional support (environmental analyzes, toxicological reviews, life cycle analyzes), advice on funding, market access and permits, networks with partners from science, administration and economy. Each idea is accompanied individually – from the feasibility to the market launch. This creates not only new products, but also further training formats and permanent structures for the region.
Use regional strengths
There is enormous potential between the North and Baltic Sea- both in marine resources and in scientific competence. However, many ideas fail due to missing laboratories, unclear permits or financing gaps. The aquator closes these gaps-through an interdisciplinary team, funding instruments and its role as an intermediary between science, start-ups, administration and society. Founders not only need know-how, but also an idea of how your idea fits the region-ecologically, economically and socially. This is exactly where we start
explains Reintjes.
Blue paths to a green future
For Reintjes, the aquator is more than a research project: a bridge between knowledge and implementation, between idea and effect. Our task is to encourage students and researchers not only to think of their ideas, but to live.