"Matís' biotechnology workshop in Sauðárkrók plays an important role in biotechnology research. The term biotechnology appears more and more often in discussions about innovation in the business world, and success has already been demonstrated in research projects in the field of biotechnology that have yielded valuable bioactive substances, both for product production here in the country and for export," says Dr. Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, project manager at Matís.
An example of this is the UNA skin products, which are based on the bioactivity of substances from seaweed that originate, for example, in Breiðafjörður. Part of the research on the bubble seaweed took place at Líftæknismiðja Matís in Sauðárkrókur, but the products are manufactured in Reykjavík, so it can be said that the entire development and production process has a contact surface in a large part of the country.
Matís Biotechnology Center is located in one of the most powerful food processing districts in the country, Skagafjörður. There she works alongside companies in the seafood production, meat and dairy industries that have taken advantage of the proximity in collaboration on research projects. An example of this is a project for FISK Seafood that aims to increase the traceability of the company's seafood products. Matís in Sauðárkrókur also has significant collaboration with Hólar University, thus achieving better utilization of both research facilities and an increased common knowledge base in the area.
"Great value lies in the bioactivity of materials. In research at the Biotechnology Workshop, the spotlight is directed, among other things, on the positive effects of fish proteins on blood pressure and the positive effects of substances derived from seaweed and sea urchins on blood sugar. Once this bioactivity has been demonstrated through research, the value of the bioactive substances multiplies. Therefore, it is important to work," says Hólmfríður.