BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT98-9664 - Production and processing of algae for industrial applications

FAIR-CT98-9664
Production and processing of algae for industrial applications

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Crops for Fine Chemicals : Crops for Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics : Essential Oil : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fine Chemicals : Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics

	Type of Project	Cooperative Research
	Contract No	FAIR-CT98-9664
	Total Cost
	EC Contribution
	Start Date
	Duration	24 Months

Production and processing of algae for industrial applications

Objectives

The food, pharmaceutical and other sectors show an increasing demand for fine chemicals that have a renewable origin and natural character. At the same time, the agrisector in the EU faces small margins on production and tightened rules to reduce the environmental impact. Based on a feasibility study, algae and especially the Spirulina species (a natural source for fine chemicals like phycocyanin, carotene, etc) appear to be a very promising trait d'union between fine chemical demand and changes for the agrisector. Products to be extracted are among others pigments (applications in food, textiles, polymers), essential fatty acids (applications in food), anti oxidants (applications in food, pharmaceuticals, polymers) and vitamins (applications in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals). Additionally, algae cultivation has a positive environmental impact when waste heat of a power plant is used and because of CO₂ fixation.

However, in the moderate climate areas of the EU large scale production of high quality algae derivatives is hardly developed. When using standard methods, cultivation is not feasible because of climatic reasons. Therefore, a new concept is outlined, in which technologies are developed for algae cultivation, integrated in a greenhouse with supply of waste streams, such as waste heat from power plants and waste nutrients from green houses. Simultaneously, processes and procedures will be developed to extract various high selling additives from algae, particularly from Spirulina. The quality of the products needs to be investigated and if necessary need to be improved. Also the economical feasibility will be investigated. In order to do so, a consortium is formed that consists of partners providing know how on algal cultivation, fine chemical extraction and application development, as well as end user organisation.

Although substantial investments are needed, expected profits are high. Each ha of production system requires about 1.0 MECU on investments but yields 30 tons/year of Spirulina. This production generates a nett annual profit of cat 0.2 0.3 MECU, depending on the type of product (fine chemicals or algal tablets). The expected market volume in 2020 is 220,000 tons annually, when the required product quality can be achieved.

Spirulina

Algal ponds

Contacts

Participant

RTD Performer