Overview of the FILL biodegradable mussel net initiative
Focused on Normandy, the FILL (Innovative Net for Mussel Culture) project is an ambitious and eco-responsible initiative designed to reduce plastic pollution from aquaculture activities, especially mussel farming.
In mid-October, project partners launched the first prototypes of biodegradable mussel nets, a major milestone toward more sustainable aquaculture.
Launched on October 1, 2024, the project aims to:
- Develop a durable, biodegradable mussel culture net for end-of-life biodegradation.
- Conduct real-world testing and share results with aquaculture professionals.
- Reduce plastic pollution from aquaculture operations
Step-by-step innovation and experimentation
The FILL project is structured around three complementary stages that reinforce each other to ensure both technical performance and sustainable integration into the aquaculture industry.
- Industrial development of mussel net material
This initial phase focuses on perfecting the plastic formulation, producing multifilaments, and designing and manufacturing the first industrial-scale net prototypes. Thanks to experience gained through the European INDIGO project, Ubside plays an active role in this phase and supports field testing. - Real-world testing and biodegradation monitoring
Prototypes are tested in natural environments directly on mussel poles in close coordination with industry stakeholders. The goal is to assess product performance while ensuring minimal environmental impact through biodegradation and ecotoxicity testing. Findings from this phase feed back into development work to refine the net’s formulation and design. - Industry feedback and results dissemination
Feedback from mussel farmers is essential to evaluate product adoption and optimize technical advancements. These insights are incorporated into the first development stage to continuously improve the net and share results throughout the aquaculture sector.
UBSIDE’s Expertise Driving Sustainable Innovation
“With FILL, we extend the momentum started with the INDIGO project to understand how to design high-performance materials while minimizing their impact on the marine environment,” explains Morgan Deroiné, R&D engineer for biodegradable materials at UBSIDE.
Complete at the end of 2023, the European INDIGO project focused on reducing marine plastic waste and provides valuable insights to advance FILL.
This expertise contributes to collective thinking around high-performance biodegradable nets, reinforcing the project’s sustainable approach.
Upcoming work by UBSIDE includes detailed characterization of the mussel net’s behavior:
- in real operational conditions on a mussel farm in Normandy,
- in continuous seawater immersion tests in Lorient,
- in laboratory settings in UBSIDE’s Ploemeur facilities.
FILL: collective innovation for coastal sustainability
The FILL project demonstrates a regional commitment to more environmentally responsible aquaculture by combining research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
The project is co-financed over three years by the Brittany Region and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEAMPA) under the “Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture Activities” call for projects.
Led by the ComposiTIC technical platform, the project brings together partners including Synergie Mer et Littoral, Filt 1860, NaturePlast, and the Normandy‒Hauts-de-France Regional Shellfish Farming Committee.
