Fermentalg and SUEZ unveil microalgae company CarbonWorks

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

In line with an announcement made last January, Fermentalg and SUEZ have created CarbonWorks, a JV to accelerate the development and sale of solutions for the capture and bioconversion of CO2 by microalgae photosynthesis. In the long-term, it will be capable of capturing several thousand tons of CO2 at the source of emission, and of producing the corresponding quantities of algae biomass intended in priority for the agricultural biocontrol as well as human and animal food markets.

Figure 1. Fermentalg and SUEZ unveil CarbonWorks

CarbonWorks benefits from the expertise resulting from the partnership initiated between both companies in 2015. It will have access to Fermentalg's biological library (more than 2,300 micro-algae strains), privileged access to specific CO2 sources from SUEZ sites and/or customers, a portfolio of 6 patent families and a team of experts from the two groups.

CarbonWorks will roll out its first industrial demonstrator at the Pot-Au-Pin Énergie site in Cestas (Gironde), in the third quarter of 2021. This demonstrator of about ten m3 will be used to capture the CO2 emitted by its agricultural methanation unit and its conversion into biocontrol products (natural fungicide for vines). This project supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region has also been identified by Bpifrance in the framework of the Future Investments Program (PIA) and received the structural competitiveness project (PSPC) label.

At its creation, the company has assets of more than 5 M€ with a cash flow of 1 M€ and plans to get new shareholders within the framework of Series A financing. Discussions have been initiated and major investment funds specializing in ecological transition have already expressed their interest. CarbonWorks also plans to accelerate its development through different national and European innovation support programs.

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