Into the blue

Capgemini’s Blue Challenge project

Capgemini’s Blue Challenge innovation project has set out to prove just what an impact seaweed might have on creating a sustainable future for us all. The challenge is a collaboration between Capgemini teams from 12 countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland), and BioMarine, a global business community that fosters the development of marine bioresources. 
 
But can seaweed really change our world? Actually, it already has. Seaweed is a booming industry that brings tangible social and environmental benefits by providing alternative solutions in areas such as biomaterials, carbon capture, industrial design, nutrition, cosmetics, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and more. 
 
And when it comes to climate change, it is estimated that seaweed can capture around 290 million metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year. It also improves the ocean’s health, helping it play a fundamental role in regulating global temperatures while also producing around 50% of the oxygen on the planet through the photosynthetic activity of marine plants and algae. 

Ready for the challenge?

Capgemini’s Blue Challenge innovation project has set out to prove just what an impact seaweed For Capgemini’s Blue Challenge, five startups were selected to deliver projects that innovate with seaweed to create positive environmental impacts.

Acting together for a better future

“For us at BioMarine, what is amazing about the Challenge is how Capgemini can mobilize around a project,” says Erwes. “With projects like this, people can participate at their own level on a truly global project to help solve some of the most important environmental crises that we face. In that way, the Blue Challenge becomes the beginning of an answer to some of the questions around sustainability. Sometimes, we need to try to change the world through a top-down approach. But you also need approaches that start from the ground up, and this is one of those.

Throughout the Challenge, the startups are supported by a Capgemini mentor and sponsor, and judged on the environmental impact, social and inclusion impact, and innovation that their projects can deliver.

“We have a responsibility to act for a better future,” says Eric de Quatrebarbes, head of the Europe Cluster at Capgemini’s Business Unit. “Supporting this kind of initiative, developing partnerships between large groups, startups, NGOs, and involving our employees, and our ecosystem in our approach, is, from my point of view, essential in bringing a significant and lasting change.”

“Carbon capture, reducing pollutants and slowing coastal erosion are global challenges,” says Erwes. “And if we foster the development of seaweed as a bio resource, it can help with all of these and more. It can really serve the cause.”

Innovating with seaweed

Below are just some examples of where seaweed is becoming an increasingly important resource in the areas of environmental sustainability, industry, agriculture, and more.