The inspiration behind Danish Ocean Cluster
Danish Ocean Cluster is inspired by Iceland Ocean Cluster, which since 2011 has been an international frontrunner in sustainable value creation within the blue sector. The cluster was founded by Thor Sigfusson with the ambition of bringing together companies and organizations in the fisheries sector to make far better use of marine resources.
Today, Iceland Ocean Cluster includes around 70 Icelandic member companies and operates with a clear “100% fish” mindset. Through strong commercial collaborations and systematic mapping of value chains, it has succeeded in utilizing more than 90% of all Icelandic cod. Where a whole fish previously had a value of approximately 12 dollars, it can now generate a total value potential of more than 5,000 dollars through new, innovative, and socially beneficial products.
Iceland Ocean Cluster has thus demonstrated that sustainability and business go hand in hand — and that strong relationships are a prerequisite for innovation. This approach is a key source of inspiration for Danish Ocean Cluster in its efforts to strengthen a more sustainable and competitive blue sector in Denmark.
Collaboration
Danish Ocean Cluster works closely with Iceland Ocean Cluster with the shared goal of strengthening innovation, sustainability, and value creation in the blue sector. The collaboration is built on knowledge sharing, exchange of experience, and the development of new business models across national borders.
Drawing on Iceland Ocean Cluster’s many years of work with full resource utilization — including the “100% fish” approach — we work together to translate international best practices into a Danish context. The focus is on reducing waste, increasing the value of marine raw materials, and creating stronger connections between companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders across the value chain.
The partnership aims to accelerate the development of new solutions in the Danish ocean and fisheries sector and to strengthen Denmark’s position as an innovative and sustainable player in the global blue economy.