ABO Blog

The Biden Administration is weaving climate policy into almost every facet of the government, and at ABO we are working closely with the White House, Congress and federal agencies to ensure that the microalgae and seaweed industry can play its part.  A robust algae industry has the potential to employ thousands of people, lend solutions to hundreds of markets in need of sustainable options, and help lay the foundations for a low-carbon global economy. 

Smart policy choices can accelerate the day those benefits become a reality. From the design of regulations and R&D funding, to federal procurement rules and rural job development, ABO is making sure today’s policy discussions include the importance of algae. 

Here are some of the latest policy priorities ABO in working on:

Ensure Algae is Part of the Climate Fight

With the Administration’s commitment to making climate change a priority across government, ABO is busy providing input on how algae can fit into everything from carbon capture and land use decisions, to carbon offsets and more. 

• We recently provided input to help ensure algae and seaweed agriculture are eligible for provisions in the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The bill would help farmers tap into resources to allow them to get credits for adopting climate-smart practices, specifically current and future activities that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon.
• We are currently engaged with a bipartisan coalition to ensure the algae can find even more support in the revolutionary 45Q tax credit for carbon utilization. We are advocating for changes that can incentivize carbon capture from an even wider range of algae producers. 

Supercharge Algae Agriculture with the Help of the USDA

At ABO we think it is vital to lay the foundations for a large-scale commercialization of algae farming that can be integral to classic agriculture.

The USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture strategy is one new initiative with great potential to leverage the innovation and potential of America’s farmers and ranchers to the cause of climate mitigation and adaptation. Algae farmers should be included in that strategy. 

We have asked USDA to consider a wide range of effective measures than can help the algae industry decarbonize agricultural practices and products, including:

• Supporting the launch of the Algae Center of Excellence, an ABO priority that will be key to coordinating algae research and commercialization into food, feed, biomaterials, soil amendments, CO2 removal, other GHG abatement, waterway restoration, Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB)  prevention and mitigation, and wastewater treatment.
• Investing in Carbon Capture and Utilization Innovation that can harness algae’s ability to to utilize non-arable land (in addition to CO2), fix soil carbon, remediate impaired waters, as well as to support rural development.
• Include algae in low-carbon bioenergy and biomaterials investments such as fuels, plastics, foam products, fertilizers/compost, and more.
• Include algae solutions in climate smart practices through USDA conservation programs, such as USDA tools like CometPlanner, that farmers use to evaluate crops for their carbon impacts.
• Support research, development and commercialization of HAB biomass as fertilizer and soil amendments. New technologies for HAB mitigation can physically remove algae from affected waterways, and further R&D can put these solutions into practice in communities across the U.S. 
• Increase SBIR grants for accelerating development and commercialization of algae products and services. SBIR grants have already helped startups develop kelp-enhanced breads, refine the process for producing valuable oils from algae, and create algae-based aquaculture feed. The USDA should join other agencies in supporting more innovations like these. 
• Include algae solutions in Carbon Bank development: If USDA considers launching a Carbon Bank, algae-based soil amendments that build soil fertility and store carbon should be included alongside other practices applied in regenerative agriculture. 

Maintain Robust Research, Development and Commercialization Funding at the DOE

Appropriations for algae research has allowed for remarkable technology advances over the past decade, especially at the Department of Energy (DOE). This year the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is directing $40 million to advanced algae research. $21 million was dedicated by the DOE’s Fossil Energy (FE) office for non-geologic carbon utilization activities, and $10 million is being allocated for R&D into direct air capture technologies. 

ABO is in touch with Members of Congress as they plan for FY2022 appropropriations that can continue this long-standing and successful support. 

Are you ready to learn more about how algae can play a role in climate policy and economic development? Join us! ABO is a leading voice for the microalgae and macroalgae industry. We believe that robust policy support can accelerate technology and business development in a way that delivers invaluable benefits. 

And don’t forget to join hundreds of algae professionals at the 2021 Algae Biomass Summit, being held virtually September 28-October 27. We will be gathering to discuss these priorities and more with leaders from all over the world. 

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the US based non-profit trade organization for the algae industry, today announced the election of their officers for their Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term, as well as the Board of Directors members elected for the 2021-2023 term. The group includes both new and existing (re-elected) members who will join current members of the Board of Directors. ABO’s board is comprised of representatives from multiple sectors of the industry.

ABO’s board guides the organization in its mission to promote algae, renewable and sustainable products from algae, and the development of viable commercial markets for both. ABO provides end-to-end connection for the industry, supporting people, companies, and organizations, as well as research, development, and commercial activities across the value chain.  ABO also educates the general public, policymakers and industry about the benefits of algae.

The newly elected board officers are:

• Chair: Jen Johansen (pictured)– Vice President of Quality, Regulatory & Government Affairs, Cyanotech Corporation
• Vice Chair: Martin Gross – President/Co-Founder, Gross-Wen Technologies
• Treasurer/Secretary: Thomas Byrne – Tax Manager, CarlsonSV

Newly appointed board member:

• Lulu Mauro, Sr. Regulatory Manager, Corbion

The re-elected board members are:

• Martin Gross, President/Co-Founder, Gross-Wen Technologies
• David Hazlebeck, CEO/Founder, Global Algae Innovations
• Nagatoshi Ide, Senior Technical Division Manager, Earthrise Nutritionals LLC
• Mike LaMont, Vice President of Operations, Heliae Development LLC
• Dan Levy, Vice President, AECOM
• Jaakko Nauha Head of Algae Initiative in the New Business Platform, Neste

Put yourself at the forefront of the algae industry, where algae products, services, and research meet the challenges of our planet’s most pressing issues today.

The virtual 2021 Algae Biomass Summit is the best place to make valuable connections with key decision makers and influential policy leaders within the algae industry and scientific community this fall. Our new Partnership Program is a unique opportunity for those leaders that want to engage with the algae industry on a deeper level.

Why become a Summit partner?

• Reach hard to find real world buyers in the various algae industries, food & feed, carbon capture, sustainability, wastewater, energy, education & academics, climate and more – We gather up industry leaders from around the world!
• Last year’s sponsors had a combined 115,000 sponsor impressions, leads, webpage views, 1:1 interactions and virtual meetups — Strong exposure to an influential audience.
• NOW you can deliver content from the main stage at the Algae Biomass Summit or in our engaging breakout sessions — Make your case on the industry’s biggest stage!
• Due to the additional involvement, partnership opportunities are limited and they’re filling up fast! — You don’t want to miss out!
• Partnership promotion starts soon – almost 4 months of exposure for your company to our global audience! — We really do spread the word!

Take a look at the current list of sponsors below, and sign up to join them today!

The incredible economic and environmental advantages of farming shellfish and seaweed is gaining attention as the world seeks solutions to climate change, food production, and greener inputs for everything from clothes and plastics to fuel. Regenerative ocean farming is an attractive business opportunity, but there are few resources that offer individuals a pathway to building a career in this promising industry of the future. That’s what GreenWave, one of ABO’s newest members, was founded for. 

The Connecticut-based non-profit is on a mission to catalyze a regenerative ocean farming industry made up of small farms growing restorative crops such as seaweed and shellfish. Their goal is to train and support 10,000 regenerative ocean farmers in the next 10 years. To get there, GreenWave provides a mix of high- and low-touch training opportunities and resources for aspiring farmers that want to learn regenerative ocean farming techniques, secure a lease, permits, and equipment, and access the market opportunities that can get revenues flowing. 

GreenWave has trained and supported more than 730 farmers and hatchery technicians throughout New England, California, New York, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and beyond. Thousands more are on their waitlist. Regenerative ocean farming is a model that focuses on the power of small to medium scale independent farmers to create an industry that can provide thousands of jobs as well as products that can enhance global sustainability. 

“ABO’s focus on building markets and technologies for algae and macroalgae, such as kelp, dovetails perfectly with the business development and mentoring goals of GreenWave,” said Rebecca White, ABO’s executive director. “We are proud to partner with their project and look forward to joining forces to build the ocean farming industry the world needs.”

The potential for the seaweed industry is enormous. One recent study estimates the industry will grow to $92 billion by 2025 across a diverse range of markets including food, fertilizer, animal feed, and bioplastics. 

Moreover, GreenWave’s model has lowered the barriers to entry to a business that already has economic and environmental advantages. Bivalves and seaweed farming requires zero inputs (no freshwater, fertilizer, feed, or land), can improve water quality, sequester carbon, and rebuild reef ecosystems. And GreenWave estimates that a mature 20-acre regenerative ocean farm can net more than $100,000 annually. 

In addition to hands-on training, GreenWave has introduced a number of tools to help those interested in becoming ocean farmers, including an online seed-to-sale Regenerative Ocean Farming Toolkit, region-specific workshops, internships and participation in a growing farmer network. 

“We are deeply excited to join ABO’s network as we scale our tools that can help people build their own ocean farming businesses,” said BrenSmith, GreenWave’s Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder.

GreenWave joined ABO as a Bronze-level member, our newest membership category built specifically for early stage startups and organizations. Welcome GreenWave!

Learn more about GreenWave here: https://www.greenwave.org/

ABO has introduced a new Bronze membership category for early stage algae ventures that are bringing new technologies, products or processes into the market. 

The new category has been designed to help algae entrepreneurs take advantage of more opportunities as economic growth recovers in the wake of the pandemic, as well as an increasing demand for cutting-edge innovations that can address global challenges.

A membership designed for the unique challenges faced by startups

As any founder knows, resources have to be carefully allocated in the early days of a company’s life, but it is also critical to take advantage of the networks, expertise and influence that can be found in places like an industry’s trade organization, such as the Algae Biomass Organization. 

To better accommodate the unique needs of startups, ABO’s bronze member category comes with lower fees, and is exclusive to new ventures that are looking to engage with the broader algae community as a way to accelerate their growth. 

The new membership is designed to be an entry into the community of ABO, and there are some special requirements to qualify. Companies must be less than 5 years old, or with fewer than 5 years of revenue. After two years at the bronze level, members will be expected to upgrade to one of our higher tiers.  

The bronze membership category is an excellent option for cutting-edge innovators that need more from ABO than what can be found in our individual memberships. The expanded benefits include additional resources to:

• Discover the latest technologies and applications.
• Learn how to access the wide range of markets seeking algae applications: food, feed, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, fuel, soil health, water treatment and more. 
• New talent and workforce development programs.
• Learn about federal funding opportunities, and work with other members to build compelling applications.
• Enjoy reciprocal member benefits with ABO’s global partners, such as the European Algae Biomass Association. 
• Be recognized on ABO’s websites, newsletters, social media and at ABO events as being part of a worldwide collaboration that is building a multi-billion dollar industry based on advanced algae cultivation.

Creating a rising tide of early stage algae ventures

ABO’s first bronze members include Arizona Algae Products, Algix, Greenwave, and Seagrove Kelp Company. All of these companies have the potential to dispute markets with new algae applications, and they all now have the full weight of the industry’s leading trade organization behind them. 

“Algae startups are looking at a period of incredible opportunity in the funding environment, market potential and regulatory support,” said Rebecca White, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “We developed the bronze membership category so these entrepreneurs can join voices, build collaborations and be part of a rising tide that lifts all boats. Together we can be ready for the exciting times ahead.”

More information about ABO’s Bronze Membership category, and others can be found here.

To reach out about becoming a member please contact ABO today!