The University of Malta is thrilled to announce that Project BYTHOS, which was recently selected for the European Regiostars 2024, has won not one, but three awards at the ceremony in Brussels that took place on 9 October 2024.
Since their inception in 2008, REGIOSTARS Awards have become Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects that demonstrate the impact and inclusiveness of regional development.
Project BYTHOS, or Biotechnologies For Human Health and Blue Growth, transformed fish waste from the aquaculture sector into biotechnological products, including fish oils and collagen, reducing waste and creating economic value through such a circular economy approach. . This group of researchers in fact managed to utilise side streams from the fish processing industry so as to extract molecules useful for human and animal wellbeing. It was led by the University of Palermo, with a number of Maltese partners participating as well, including academics from the University of Malta.
The project was funded within the framework of the Interreg Italia-Malta 2014-2020 Operational Programme I, and ran between 2018 and 2021. However, the venture that was set up through the project, is still leaving a massive positive impact on the circular economy as a whole, prompting companies to think more about the blue economy and investors to further develop the ideas generated.
The project initially earned a nomination in one of the 5 categories of the European RegioStars Award, namely ‘A Competitive and Smart Europe’, but ended up winning not just the prize for that category, but also the overall jury vote and the overall public vote.
The principal investigator at the University of Malta of the project from UM was Prof. Alan Deidun from the Department of Geosciences (Faculty of Science), who worked closely with Prof. Marion Zammit Mangion from the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery) as well as with a number of RSOs engaged on the project (Mr Neil Cutajar and Dr Frederick Lia), besides two other Maltese partners, Aquabiotech and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture).
Prof. Deidun stated that “We are truly honoured to have won – particularly because this recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire team at the University of Malta, and highlights the innovative impact our project has on Europe’s future. This project’s impact extends beyond scientific discovery, contributing to environmental conservation and ultimately supporting the growth in Europe’s blue economy.“
UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, also expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, “This is a clear example of how research can lead to truly meaningful advancements, with tangible benefits for society and the environment.”
More about Project BYTHOS online.
The list of all winners is also available online.
