Umeå research project selected for IVA’s List for Research Impact 2026

Olivier Keech.

ImageFredrik Larsson

The list highlights Swedish research projects with strong potential to create tangible societal benefits through innovation, commercialisation and collaboration. This year’s list includes 30 projects from 13 higher education institutions across Sweden.

“I am very happy to hear that our project was selected for this prestigious opportunity; it may open up constructive paths forward, both for scientific and business-related aspects,” says Olivier Keech, Associate professor at the Department of Plant Physiology.

The project focuses on developing a circular system for locally farming tropical shrimp and fish in Umeå using surplus heat from the Dåva combined heat and power plant. The first trials will take place in 2026, with the ambition that food producers, energy companies and municipalities will be able to benefit from the solution for climate-smart and resilient food production.

“There is still a lot of work ahead, but there is a growing interest in securing food production in Sweden, especially when the goal is to deliver high quality products with low carbon footprint and proper animal welfare.”

A key component of the project is the interaction between different systems, where waste from one process becomes a resource for another.

“Industrial symbiosis is clearly the key to a sustainable future. We need to draw inspiration from all biological organisms that thrive from their symbiotic environment,” says Olivier Keech.

Read more about Olivier Keech’s project