BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Thai Union has announced that its Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Fund has joined other strategic and financial partners investing in France-based Algama’s 13 M€ Series A fundraising round. The funding in this round will be used to accelerate commercialization of innovations, development of new applications, and setup of a new 10,000 m2 biorefinery in Liege (Belgium). Press release: " Thai Union Corporate Venture Fund invests in French algae ingredients startup ", 11/01/2023. Figure 1. Vegan tuna and smoked salmon alternatives developed by Algama (Credit: Algama) Founded in 2013, Algama leverages its algae innovation platform to offer co-development and industrialization of algae-based ingredients for F&B players looking to replace animal protein and / or fortify their products. Algama’s flagship product, the Tamalga® range of ingredients, replaces eggs in many industrial applications, particularly in bakery and pastry. The investment in Algam...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Microphyt announced a Serie B fundraising of €15 million.  The funds will be used to accelerate both the new products development and the commercialization of the product portfolio as well as to increase production of Microphyt’s industrial platform in Baillargues (South of France) to meet customer demand.  This investment was led by L’Oréal through its venture capital fund BOLD Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development and supported by Microphyt’s current investors Bpifrance, through the “Sociétés de Projets Industriels” fund, Sofinnova Partners, IXO-Private Equity, Supernova Partners, IRDI and Sofilaro.  Pres s release: " Microphyt raises €15 million to accelerate the commercialization of its microalgae-based natural solutions for nutrition and well-being ", 30/11/2022. Figure 1. Microphyt's  Camargue photobiorectors (taken from the press release) Microphyt launched successfully over the last 18 months 5 new proprietary ingred...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Viridos Inc. (previously Synthetic Genomics) has signed a joint agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company with the intent to bring Viridos’ low-carbon intensity biofuels toward commercial levels. Press release: “ Viridos Executes Agreement with ExxonMobil to Help Scale Algae Biofuels ”, 08/11/2021. Figure 1. Viridos and ExxonMobil to scale-up algae biofuels production (taken from the website of the company) ExxonMobil is continuing this collaboration with Viridos to bring sustainable algae biofuels technology closer to commercial deployment. The recent productivity advances in Viridos’ technology are an opportunity to turn CO2 into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels. In this next phase of the program, they intend to broaden participation and invite others to build the ecosystem required for full-scale deployment. With the support of ExxonMobil, Viridos developed the California Advanced Algal Facility (CA...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Green Fuels Research has announced that they have been awarded grant funding under the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme for its Microalgae Biomass Sustainability project (MISTY). Such project aims to increase microalgal biomass productivity in the UK by co-culturing microalgae with bacteria, using wastewater from breweries and dairy industries. Press release: “ Green Fuels Research wins BEIS research funding for brewery and dairy waste biomass feedstock project ”, 25/08/2021. Figure 1. Green Fuels Research wins research funding for its Microalgae Biomass Sustainability project The key innovation lies in cultivating microalgal strains in conditions adapted to the UK’s weather by using two bioreactor systems, one taking advantage of natural sunlight during spring and summer and the second using organic compounds present in dairy and brewery wastewater as carbon sourc...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Green Stream Farms, a Southern New Mexico company that grows algae for use in nutrition products, has been awarded economic assistance to expand its processing operations and create jobs. Press release: “ State Assistance Awarded to Luna County’s Green Stream Farms ”, 12/08/2021. Figure 1. Green Stream Farms’ pond in Columbus Green Stream Farms in Columbus (Luna County, NM, USA) grows algae on 96 acres of lined ponds, but the current demand for algae is higher than the facility can supply. The farm has sufficient water to support needed expansion, however new buildings, processing and harvesting equipment are needed to meet production demands. A 250 k$ from the state Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) job-creators fund will allow Green Stream Farms to more than double its annual harvest, from 250 tons to 700 tons by 2022, adding 23 employees over the next 5 years. The planned construction and upgrades will increase algae production...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Microphyt, company focused on the production and marketing of microalgae-based bioactive ingredients, has announced the launch of SCALE, the world’s first fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery. This flagship action has received a grant of 15 M€, the single largest award from the BBI JU for sustainable aquatic production. Press release: “ Microphyt Announces Launch of SCALE, the world’s first fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery ”, 02/07/2021. Figure 1. The whole consortium met on June 30th, 2021 for the SCALE kick-off meeting in the presence of representatives of the European Commission. This project has received funding from the BBI JU under grant agreement 101023593. Located in Baillargues (near Montpellier in the South of France) the headquarters of Microphyt will be home to the flagship biorefinery, utilizing the CAMARGUE technology to produce and extract bioactive compounds, based on hydro-biomimetic principles. A CAMARGUE-based ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. TotalEnergies and Veolia have joined forces to accelerate the development of microalgae cultivation using CO2. Press release: “ TotalEnergies and Veolia Join Forces to Develop CO2-based Microalgae Cultivation to Produce Next-generation Biofuels ”, 06/07/2021. Figure 1. TotalEnergies and Veolia team up to develop microalgae cultivation project at the La Mède biorefinery The two partners will pool their know-how to develop a four-year research project at the La Mède biorefinery, operated by TotalEnergies, with the long-term goal of producing biofuel. As part of the project, a test platform will be set up to compare different innovative systems for growing microalgae and identify the most efficient ones. Veolia will bring its expertise in: - the water sector to optimize management of the microalgae's aquatic environment, - the development of algal biomass as an effective solution for CO2 capture. TotalEnergies, in synergy with ...

Versión en Español 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. Press release: “ Fight against climate change: SUEZ Group and FERMENTALG have created “CarbonWorks”, a company specializing in the capture and recovery of CO2 thanks to micro-algae ”, 05/07/2021. Related post: “ Fermentalg and SUEZ create joint venture to develop solutions for capturing and valorizing CO2 ”, 11/01/2021. Figure 1. Fermentalg and SUEZ unveil CarbonWorks CarbonWorks benefits from the expertise resulting from the partnership initiated betwe...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Oceanium , UK-based seaweed processing and food & material innovation company, has announced the close of a seed round worth 2.3 M€, led by Green Angel Syndicate with World Wildlife Fund. It will use the funds to scale up its proprietary biorefinery and processing model to open up the market for the nascent sustainable seaweed farming industry. Press release: “ Oceanium Poised to Unlock Sustainable Seaweed Farming Industry following investment round led by Green Angel Syndicate & anchor investor WWF ”, 20/05/2021. Figure 1. Seaweed (credits: Seaweed Solutions) Oceanium’s refining method has been developed to process seaweed for applications including use in plant-based foods and sustainable packaging material as an alternative to plastic. Oceanium uses cascade refinery techniques to enable the production of home-compostable packaging materials and climate-friendly food ingredients including protein, fibre and bioactive nutra...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA BREVE.  Fermentalg y SUEZ han firmado un acuerdo de entendimiento para la creación en el primer semestre de 2021 de una empresa conjunta, con participación paritaria, que desarrollará fotobiorreactores de algas capaces de capturar CO2 por biomimetismo y valorizarlo en bioproductos que puedan ser utilizados en los campos del biocontrol, nutrición y salud animal.  Nota de prensa: “ Fight against climat change: Fermentalg and SUEZ create a joint venture to accelerate the industrialization and commercialization of solutions for capturing and valorizing CO2 in bioproducts ”, 05/01/2021.  Figura 1. Plataforma de fermentación de microalgas de Fermentalg (tomada de la página web de Fermentalg)   Ambas empresas comenzaron su trabajo conjunto en 2015 y han desarrollado soluciones para desafíos ambientales como el Carbon sink (fotobiorreactor de algas de nueva generación para capturar y procesar las emisiones de CO2 en un ento...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Fermentalg and SUEZ have signed a memorandum of understanding for the creation in the first half of 2021 of a joint venture, equally owned, which will develop algae photobioreactors capable of capturing CO2 by biomimicry and valorizing it in bioproducts that can be used in the fields of biocontrol, nutrition and animal health.  Press release: “ Fight against climat change: Fermentalg and SUEZ create a joint venture to accelerate the industrialization and commercialization of solutions for capturing and valorizing CO2 in bioproducts ”, 05/01/2021.  Figure 1. Fermentalg microalgae fermentation platform (taken from Fermentalg website)  Both companies started the partnership in 2015 and has developed solutions for environmental challenges as the Carbon sink (new generation algae photobioreactor to capture and process CO2 emissions in an industrial environment) and the Combin’Air (air purifier including an algae...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) and Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) have announced the successful start-up of the renewable fuels demo plant of euglena Co., Ltd. (euglena) in Yokohama (Japan). Press release: “ ARA and Chevron Lummus Global Announce Successful Startup of Euglena Biofuels Project ”, 17/7/2020. Related posts: - “ Euglena demonstration plant for renewable jet starts to become reality ”, 2/6/2017. - “ euglena completes the construction of its demonstration plant to produce renewable fuels in Japan ”, 10/11/2018. Figure 1. Renewable fuels demo plant of euglena in Yokohama This first-of-its-kind demonstration unit employs the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION technology, jointly developed by CLG and ARA, to produce 5 barrels per day (BPD) of renewable jet fuel and renewable diesel out of an algae oil blend and waste vegetable oil. euglena reported about the mechanical completion of the plant by the end of 2...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Following a construction period of just two years, Veramaris has commissioned its production plant in Blair (Nebraska, USA). Through the fermentative manufacture of natural marine algae, the new plant produces a special algal oil that contains the key omega-3 fatty acids needed for healthy salmon farming. Press release: “ Unique facility begins production of omega-3 fatty acids for sustainable salmon farming ”, 10/7/2019. Related posts: - “ DSM and Evonik to build an algal oil plant at commercial-scale in USA ”, 13/3/2017. - “ The construction of the algal oil biorefinery of Veramaris is on track ”, 1/2/2018. - “ Half-time for Veramaris algal oil biorefinery in Nebraska ”, 12/6/2018. Figure 1. New Veramaris facility for the production of omega-3 EPA and DHA from natural marine algae (taken from the press release) The two parent companies (DSM and Evonik) of Veramaris have invested a total of 200 M$ in equal parts for the construct...

Type of post: Project profile. Asia has a commanding position in supply of seaweed biomass from aquaculture. In 2015, more than 99% of the production came from this continent, with China contributing 13,9 Mtons over the total amount of 29,4 Mtons (FAO, 2007).  Seaweed (also known as macroalgae) has long been recognised as a valuable source of diverse bioactive compounds which has great potential to be used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods. However, until now, seaweed has been underexploited in Europe due to the challenges of expanding seaweed biomass production. Last week, the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) issued a Case Study about an initiative to boost the European Blue Economy by designing high-yielding seaweed cultivation systems: GENIALG . Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, it is the first industry-driven project bringing together pioneering companies in large-scale integrated European biorefineries and...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The NAA (National Algae Association, non-profit algae production trade association) has launched a challenge to identify the best commercial algae cultivation systems on the market in various conditions (indoor and outdoor). The NAA invites all commercial PBR manufacturers throughout the world to participate in the World Industrial Photobioreactor (WIPBR) Challenge. Qualified third-party evaluators will be conducting tests of commercial photobioreactor systems in an unbiased manner to assist potential purchasers. NAA will create a comparison list and the data collected will be shared with the algae production industry. Figure 1. The NAA launches the World Industrial Photobioreactor Challenge 2019 Conditions: - All commercial algae cultivation systems must be proven outside the lab, be scalable and have a low CAPEX. - Water volume must be at least 1,000 gallons per system. - Only polyethylene, polycarbonate, glass tubes, closed-lo...

Type of post: NEWS. The construction of the Japan’s first demonstration plant to produce renewable jet and diesel has been completed. euglena , the owner company, issued the official announcement last week. Press release: “ euglena Co. completed the construction of Japan’s first demonstration plant for the production of renewable jet and diesel fuel ”, 2/11/2018. Related post: “ Euglena demonstration plant for renewable jet starts to become reality ”, 2/6/2017. Location Keihin plant of AGC (Suehiro 1-1, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan). Area 7,787.6 m 2 . Feedstocks Euglena oil and waste cooking oil. Products and processing capacity 125 kL/year (this figure will vary depending on the testing implementation and maintenance development status) of renewable fuels (jet, diesel and naphta). Technology Biofuels ISOCONVERSION process (known as the BIC process) licensed from Chevron Lummus Glob...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. In early 2017, the Blog featured the profile of one of the most promising companies in the field of algal biorefining: “ Photanol - Cyanobacteria for the next generation of biobased chemicals ”. The last section of that post highlighted its plans for the construction of a multi-use demonstration plant in the near future (2018-2019). Last Friday, Photanol and AkzoNobel announced that the planned facility will be built at AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals’ Delfzijl site. AkzoNobel press release: “ Photanol to build demonstration plant to make chemicals from CO2 and sunlight at AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals’ Delfzijl site ”. Photanol press release: “ Photanol BV to build demonstration plant at AkzoNobel site in Delfzijl ”. Figure 1. Cyanobacteria (extracted from Photanol website) The companies formed a partnership in 2014 to jointly work on a technology using cyanobacteria that mimics the way plants use photosynthesis to produce chemical buildi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Coinciding with BIOTERRA 2018 (trade fair of ecological products, bio-construction, renewable energy and sustainable consumption), the CYCLALG network presented several developments related to the algal biorefinery, the heterotrophic cultivation of micro-algae, obtaining biodiesel and bioproducts and the recovery of waste, within a framework of the circular economy. Related post: “ CYCLALG and MACRO CASCADE – Two new European projects on algal biorefineries ”, 25/7/2016. Around thirty companies and technology centres from the Basque Country, Navarra and Aquitaine from scientific, technological and business sectors related to the circular economy and the concept microalgal biorefinery expressed great interest in these issues. The conference served to foster the links between the R&D centres and industry, facilitate technology transfer, discover the region's technological developments in relation to the circular economy and the possibili...

Type of post: FLASH NEWS. A short update on the Veramaris ( DSM and Evonik joint venture) biorefinery in Nebraska whose construction started some months ago. In the presence of State government officials, the company celebrated half-time for its algal oil plant at the existing Evonik site in Blair on 4 June 2018 with a topping-out ceremony (see press release , 5/6/2018). The works are progressing on-time and according to plan. Commercial quantities of algal oil will be ready for delivery in mid-2019. Related posts: - “ DSM and Evonik to build an algal oil plant at commercial-scale in USA ”, 13/3/2017. - “ The construction of the algal oil biorefinery of Veramaris is on track ”, 1/2/2018. Figure 1. Veramaris celebrated half-time for its algal oil plant in Blair (extracted from the press release)