ABO Blog

Alabama Summer of Algae

Last Friday ABO-member Algix held a grand opening for its newest facility near Marion Junction, Alabama that harvests the algae from catfish-farming operations for processing into biodegradable plastics.

The Selma-Times Journal has the story and pictures. Among the impressive details about Algix’s products is the news that the company is already working with an impressive list of companies looking for suppliers of sustainable products: Apple, Clorox, BASF and Shaw.

Algix is also a great example of the algae industry integrating with traditional farming industries. The company expects a rapid increase in the number of catfish farmers it works with. The Selma-Times quoted Butch Wilson, president of Catfish Farmers of America:

“The bottom line is going to be affected significantly,” Wilson said. “We will have to use less chemicals and farmers will also get cash from allowing Algix to clean up their ponds. Honestly, I think this is like discovering oil.”

The grand opening at the Algix facility was also part of ABO’s Summer of Algae, an educational campaign my member companies to open their doors and show the public, policy makers and the media some of the exciting developments in the rapidly growing algae industry. Other events this summer have included an open house at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences’ National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) in East Boothbay, Maine  and a certificate of appreciation presented to Representative Matt Salmon (R-AZ) by Arizona-based ABO member Heliae.

Learn Algae Growth and Management

The Algae Testbed Public-Private-Partnership (ATP3) at Arizona State recently announced open enrollment for its latest workshop on algae cultivation techniques.

The ASU News site as more information on the workshop and how to sign up.

This workshop is ideal for those interested in obtaining a broad overview of the management of microalgal cultures at scale, and for advanced students and trainees interested in the practical applications of microalgae. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share information and network. Printed and electronic materials will be included and a certificate of completion will be provided at the conclusion of the workshop. Workshop enrollment is limited to 15 participants and will be filled on a first-come basis. Be sure to sign up at atp3.org/education.

Algae Power in Video

Check out this short movie from filmmaker Robert Felix on the algae research being conduced by Dr. Milt Sommerfeld and his team at Arizona State University.

The video shows a great description of how algae are cultivated for fuels and other products. It also describes some of the chemistry that give algae their magic. Algae can be used to make molecules of long carbon chains, which are exactly the kind of molecules that make fuels like gasoline and jet fuel.

See below for more of Dr. Sommerfeld’s take on how today’s algae technology will be providing a new generation with sustainable fuels, chemicals and even cookies.

Algae Biomass Organization and Japanese Algae Industry Incubation Consortium Announce International Cooperation

International Symposium on Algal Biomass brings together industry leaders from US, Japan and around the globe

TOKYO (September 4, 2013) –The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, and the Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, Japan (AIIC), a group working to commercialize algae biofuels in Japan, announced today a cooperative effort to share algae industry best practices and expertise that is commencing at the International Symposium on Algal Biomass being held September 5-6 at the Nomura Conference Plaza Nihonbashi in Tokyo, Japan.

The AIIC contacted ABO for assistance in bringing together global algae expertise as part of the government of Japan’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy base. ABO’s membership includes some of the most sophisticated algae companies in the world, and the US has become the global leader in the industry thanks to the cooperative efforts of entrepreneurs, scientists and several successful public-private partnerships that are making commercial algae production a reality.

“ABO and its members are honored to help the AIIC assemble an international community of experts to share knowledge about algae’s potential as a renewable source of energy,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “The high yields of algae and the ability to grow in saltwater with minimal impacts on agricultural land make algae-derived biofuels and other products attractive for any nation interested in sustainable sources of energy.”

ABO assisted the AIIC by facilitating contacts with global algae industry leaders, federal agencies and the research community. Some of the US-based algae industry experts that will be presenting at the symposium include:

  • Mark Allen, VP of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy Corporation
  • Craig Behnke, Senior Director of Cultivation, Sapphire Energy, Inc.
  • Christopher Cassidy of the US Department of Agriculture
  • Daniel Fishman of the Bioenergy Technologies Office at the US Department of Energy
  • Stephen Mayfield, Director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology at the University of California, San Diego
  • Philip Pienkos, Applied Science Principal Group Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Joelle Simonpietri of the US Pacific Command
  • Emilie Slaby, Market Manager of Natural and Organic Protein Products at The Scoular Company
  • Fred Tennant, Director of Business Development at Heliae Development, LLC
  • Joseph Zwillinger, Manager of Business Development at Solazyme, Inc.

“The AIIC is grateful for the cooperation of the Algae Biomass Organization and the international algae community,” said Isao Inouye of the University of Tsukuba and Board Chairman of AIIC. “Japan’s energy goals and technical expertise can play a positive role in accelerating the commercialization of algae cultivation technologies that can provide sustainable fuels, chemicals and other products. We are looking forward to a productive partnership.”

A full description of the event and current agenda can be found at: https://algae-consortium.jp/isab2013/

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Algae Biomass Organization and Japanese Algae Industry Incubation Consortium Announce International Cooperation

International Symposium on Algal Biomass brings together industry leaders from US, Japan and around the globe

TOKYO (September 4, 2013) –The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, and the Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, Japan (AIIC), a group working to commercialize algae biofuels in Japan, announced today a cooperative effort to share algae industry best practices and expertise that is commencing at the International Symposium on Algal Biomass being held September 5-6 at the Nomura Conference Plaza Nihonbashi in Tokyo, Japan.

The AIIC contacted ABO for assistance in bringing together global algae expertise as part of the government of Japan’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy base. ABO’s membership includes some of the most sophisticated algae companies in the world, and the US has become the global leader in the industry thanks to the cooperative efforts of entrepreneurs, scientists and several successful public-private partnerships that are making commercial algae production a reality.

“ABO and its members are honored to help the AIIC assemble an international community of experts to share knowledge about algae’s potential as a renewable source of energy,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “The high yields of algae and the ability to grow in saltwater with minimal impacts on agricultural land make algae-derived biofuels and other products attractive for any nation interested in sustainable sources of energy.”

ABO assisted the AIIC by facilitating contacts with global algae industry leaders, federal agencies and the research community. Some of the US-based algae industry experts that will be presenting at the symposium include:

  • Mark Allen, VP of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy Corporation
  • Craig Behnke, Senior Director of Cultivation, Sapphire Energy, Inc.
  • Christopher Cassidy of the US Department of Agriculture
  • Daniel Fishman of the Bioenergy Technologies Office at the US Department of Energy
  • Stephen Mayfield, Director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology at the University of California, San Diego
  • Philip Pienkos, Applied Science Principal Group Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Joelle Simonpietri of the US Pacific Command
  • Emilie Slaby, Market Manager of Natural and Organic Protein Products at The Scoular Company
  • Fred Tennant, Director of Business Development at Heliae Development, LLC
  • Joseph Zwillinger, Manager of Business Development at Solazyme, Inc.

“The AIIC is grateful for the cooperation of the Algae Biomass Organization and the international algae community,” said Isao Inouye of the University of Tsukuba and Board Chairman of AIIC. “Japan’s energy goals and technical expertise can play a positive role in accelerating the commercialization of algae cultivation technologies that can provide sustainable fuels, chemicals and other products. We are looking forward to a productive partnership.”

A full description of the event and current agenda can be found at: https://algae-consortium.jp/isab2013/

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.