Novia’s RDI in Bioeconomy 2025 – Innovations for a Resilient Society
In the photo: First official field visit with the City of Raseborg and Novia UAS to estimate the feasibility of actions and launch information for citizen contribution. Photo: Aurelie Noel
“In a time marked by polycrisis and uncertainty, fair play, community and tolerance are needed more than ever.” This is written by Marianne Fred in the introduction to the bioeconomy Research & Development Report 2025. She highlights that sustainable development is built through collaboration, transparency and that even small actions, when implemented systematically, create change.
During 2025, the research, development and innovation activities (RDI) in bioeconomy at Novia University of Applied Sciences have taken several important steps forward. The work is gathered within the Competence Centre for Sustainable Solutions, where approximately 25 experts from different disciplines collaborate around three new focus areas: resilient agriculture and forestry, functioning ecosystems and socioecological transition.
Climate research and the Baltic Sea in focus
One of the current research areas is ocean acidification and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. Within the Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) project, Novia carried out a six-week mesocosm experiment during 2025 at Tvärminne Zoological Station. The researchers investigated how increased alkalinity through liming affects plankton, water chemistry and the ocean’s ability to bind carbon dioxide. The aim is to evaluate whether the method can function as first aid for strengthening the Baltic Sea’s resilience against acidification.
The WARMSEA project has also gained major significance during the year. It studies how rising temperatures affect fatty acids in plankton – a central food source for small fish and thereby for the entire food chain in the Baltic Sea. The results are expected to provide new knowledge about how warming affects marine food quality and ecosystem functions.
At the same time, the ZETA project continues to investigate how climate change affects the physiology and adaptive capacity of zooplankton. Researchers have among other things conducted fieldwork in Greece at naturally acidic marine areas near volcanic emissions to understand how the warmed oceans of the future may affect marine organisms.
The duck mussel may become a resource of the future
One of the year’s most noted projects concerns the duck mussel (Anodonta anatina). Novia has investigated the species’ potential within sustainable aquaculture, bioremediation and food production. The project has built up a digital research library, conducted analyses of food safety and developed models for how the mussel can be integrated into circular production systems. Laboratory analyses also showed that the mussels may be sufficiently safe for possible use as food.
During the autumn, a continuation project also began in which juvenile duck mussels were placed in different aquatic environments in Ostrobothnia to study growth and survival in both freshwater and brackish water. The preliminary results show that environmental conditions strongly affect growth and that young mussels are sensitive to changes in salinity and water quality.
Case Västerby – reduced logging and sustainable land use
Case Västerby is a long-term partnership between the City of Raseborg and Novia UAS and promotes sustainable development through research, planning and participation.
In Case Västerby, the focus lies on reducing the impact of forestry on waterbodies as well as ecosystem restoration. With the help of advanced geospatial tools, citizen engagement and student participation, the work supports the green transition, biodiversity and planning at local and regional level.
During 2025, several measures were proposed, divided into forestry actions to promote natural regeneration and water management measures to slow water flows and capture nutrients. As presented on the Case Västerby website, several technologies were used in the case study, including virtual 360-degree visits, interactive mapping, a 3D surface model, simulation of water flows, a citizen survey and a reporting app to provide a comprehensive understanding of the area.
Research for regional development
At the same time, Novia continues to work closely with municipalities and regional actors. In cooperation with the City of Raseborg, researchers and students have participated in the development of sustainable residential areas, restoration of forest environments and land analyses for future energy systems and the green transition.
Internationally, Novia has also developed education and research in marine spatial planning together with State University of Zanzibar. The project combines digital tools, sustainable blue economy and cross-cultural cooperation concerning the marine planning of the future.
This year’s report shows that Novia’s research within bioeconomy is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and international. By combining natural sciences, technology, digitalisation and societal development, Novia aims to create concrete solutions for the sustainable society of the future – from oceans and agriculture to energy, food and regional resilience.
The report is published in Novia’s publication series Novialia and can be read in full here.