19 - 09 - 2026

Karnataka Targets $6–8 Billion Blue Bioeconomy by 2031 With New Marine Biotechnology Policy

Karnataka has approved a new Marine Biotechnology Policy for 2026–2031 aimed at transforming the state’s marine and coastal resources into a high-value biotechnology and industrial ecosystem, with a target of expanding its Blue Bioeconomy from approximately $2 billion to $6–8 billion by 2031.

The five-year policy seeks to position Karnataka as a leading hub for marine biotechnology and the wider Blue Bioeconomy by connecting its 343.3-km coastline with marine science institutions, biotechnology companies, startups and scientific talent. The government said the focus would move beyond traditional coastal activities towards high-value applications including marine biotechnology, biomanufacturing, seaweed-based products, marine biomaterials and sustainable marine enterprises.

The policy is designed to translate marine research and scientific capabilities into commercial products and technologies while strengthening coastal innovation infrastructure, creating new enterprises and employment opportunities and promoting sustainable use of marine resources.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance, said Karnataka had an opportunity to combine its coastline, marine biodiversity, scientific institutions and biotechnology ecosystem to build a high-value Blue Bioeconomy.

“Karnataka has a significant opportunity to build a high-value Blue Bioeconomy by bringing together our coastline, marine biodiversity, scientific institutions, biotechnology ecosystem and entrepreneurial talent,” Kharge said.

The minister said the objective was to move from recognising the potential of marine resources to developing products, technologies, companies and intellectual property around them.

The policy identifies seaweed, marine biomaterials, bioprocessing and sustainable aquaculture among the areas where Karnataka wants to create greater commercial value, while maintaining sustainability as a central principle.

KIMBE to anchor marine biotechnology ecosystem

A central component of the policy is the proposed Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy (KIMBE), which will serve as an institutional anchor for marine biotechnology research, innovation, commercialisation and ecosystem development. The government also plans to establish advanced marine research laboratories and facilities covering genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, fermentation, marine bioprocessing, bioprospecting and marine biodiversity.

Dedicated Marine Biotechnology Zones are proposed in collaboration with the fisheries department. These zones are expected to provide common infrastructure, engineering and fabrication facilities, logistics, testing infrastructure and plug-and-play facilities for companies operating in the sector.

The approach is intended to address one of the major gaps between marine research and commercialisation: the infrastructure required to move technologies from laboratory research to pilot production and industrial deployment.

A proposed Marine Bioinnovation & Startup Incubation Centre will support incubation, prototyping, pilot validation, technology translation and commercialisation of marine biotechnology innovations.

Seaweed emerges as a major commercial focus

Seaweed is one of the most prominent commercial opportunities identified under the policy. Karnataka plans to introduce a Seaweed Value Addition–Production Linked Incentive (SVA-PLI) aimed at encouraging the manufacture of high-value products derived from seaweed.

The targeted product categories include hydrocolloids, nutraceuticals, biofertilisers, biostimulants, marine biomaterials, bioplastics, bio-based chemicals and biofuels. The policy also proposes a Karnataka Pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme to scientifically assess, certify and recognise carbon sequestration through seaweed cultivation and other eligible coastal blue-carbon ecosystems.

This would create a potential link between marine biotechnology, coastal resource management and emerging carbon-related markets, while providing a framework for measuring the contribution of eligible marine ecosystems to carbon sequestration.

The government estimates that expansion of the marine biotechnology ecosystem could generate approximately 2,500 high-value technical jobs and another 7,500 coastal enterprise and livelihood opportunities.

The policy seeks to build a research-to-market pipeline covering research and bioprospecting, product development, prototyping, commercialisation and investment, with startups, established industry and research institutions expected to participate across the value chain.

Karnataka intends to build on an existing academic and research base that includes the College of Fisheries in Mangaluru, Karnataka University in Dharwad and marine biotechnology programmes at NITTE, alongside institutions and enterprises working in biotechnology, life sciences, bioinformatics and advanced manufacturing.

The policy identifies potential applications across pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilisers, biostimulants, biodegradable plastics, biomaterials and other high-value industries.

The proposed five-year budget for the policy is ₹120 crore, including investments in KIMBE, Marine Biotechnology Zones, the Seaweed Value Addition PLI and the Pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme.

The relatively focused public investment is intended to catalyse a wider ecosystem of private capital, research activity, startups and industrial investment rather than directly fund the entire Blue Bioeconomy value chain.

The policy ultimately seeks to connect Karnataka’s coastal resources and scientific capabilities with startups, industry, investors and global markets while maintaining sustainable use of marine ecosystems as a core requirement.

With the new framework, Karnataka is effectively attempting to shift its marine economy up the value chain—from traditional coastal activities towards biotechnology, advanced biomanufacturing and intellectual-property-led businesses. The government’s stated ambition is to grow the Blue Bioeconomy from $2 billion to $6–8 billion by 2031, while building the research and industrial infrastructure needed to support that expansion.

By Subramanya Joshi