ABO Blog

What milestones did the algae industry achieve in 2019? What foundations were set for success in 2020? Here are a few of the highlights during a busy year for those of us in the business of algae.

Algae Wins Recognition as Agriculture

2019 started out with a big development for the future of algae R&D and commercialization. For the first time, algae was recognized as a crop by the US Department of Agriculture in a new Farm Bill. Throughout the year officials at USDA have been busy setting up the support that the Farm Bill implemented and in 2020 we expect some exciting developments as algae farmers, product developers and others take advantage of the new programs. 

More Companies Targeting the $320 Billion Algae Opportunity

In 2019 there was a rapid pace of commercial progress as companies look to the algae opportunity: Food giants Corbion and Nestle partnered on plant-based ingredients. Checkerspot raised $13M to apply synbio technologies to algae. UK-based retail giant Tesco called for an increased use of algae-based feeds in farmed salmon. Veramaris opened a $200M facility to make algae-based fish feeds, and Kanye West announced an algae-based shoe. And this is an addition to a projected $320 billion market for algae. 

Federal Funding for Algae Research and Commercialization

Thanks to the support and hard work of ABO Members, the Department of Energy and other entities were able to offer funding for a number of projects at the cutting edge of this new industry. The funding was made possible by a Fiscal Year 2019 spending bill that provided an additional $44 million for algae and carbon utilization research — the highest funding level for algae research since the 2009 Recovery Act. 2020 funding levels are set to be even higher.

Ready to apply for funding opportunities that might support your own project? Check out our introduction to the process. 

Federal Agencies Come Together

The support at the USDA is one example of a growing number of federal agencies that are examining the potential of algae. In March of 2019, the federal Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board unveiled a multi-agency strategy to accelerate innovative biomass technologies for affordable biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Algae cultivation is prominently featured among the suite of technologies the effort is harnessing, and ABO working closely with the new group to ensure they can coordinate with the industry’s leading commercial and research projects.

The Most Dynamic Algae Biomass Summit Yet

The 2019 Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida saw more connections made, breakthroughs announced and products revealed that ever. Read about just a few of the developments in our Dispatch from the Summit, and make plans to join the next Summit, September 8-11, 2020 on the beautiful campus of the University of California, San Diego. 

Algae Makes Waves in the Classroom

ABO’s sister organization, the Algae Foundation, made news in 2019 by putting algae in classrooms across the country. The AF has established the Algae Technology Educational Consortium (ATEC), a project to build programs that can educate the future algae workforce. At the K-12 level, the Algae Academy has brought algae-focused lesson plans, live algae, laboratory supplies and educator support to over 70 schools nationwide. 

For more advanced training, ATEC and the Algae foundation have built online courses, and programs for community colleges that can offer certifications for those building a career in algae cultivation, processing and product development. Find our more about these programs at ATEC’s website. 

Looking Ahead

Throughout 2019 ABO’s Board of Directors and taken the lead coordinating this year’s success in policy, events and market development. As ABO enters 2020 we are well-positioned to continue the upward trajectory for the industry. 

The upcoming year promises to be filled with exciting new product announcements, new projects and technology demonstrations, and even more voices joining Algae Nation.

Not a member of ABO? Join today and become a leader in one of the most exciting technology markets: algae! 

Legislation proposed this month by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA) would create a new agency inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would prioritize the development of new innovations and technologies for American farms, ranches and rural communities.

The proposed Advanced Research Projects Agency–Terra (ARPA–Terra) carries a similar name as the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the Department of Energy that has funded cutting-edge energy technology development since 2009. ARPA-E has built an impressive track record, having funded billions of dollars of research, inspired the formation of dozens of high-tech companies, and established the foundations for hundreds of new patents.

Many of the latest advances in biofuel production, battery technology, energy efficiency, and bioenergy crop development have only been possible with crucial support from ARPA-E. 

A number of algae research consortia and commercialization projects have made considerable breakthroughs thanks to ARPA-E support. These advances in technology have not only benefited the energy sector, but are now finding new applications in food production, water treatment, bioplastics and other sectors. 

If a similar model can be implemented at the USDA it could transform how technology advances improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and economic opportunity in communities across the country.

Algae was recently designated as a crop for the first time in the 2018 Farm Bill, and ABO will be keeping a close eye on this new legislation.

A focus on high-risk, high-reward technology innovation by the federal government has transformed sectors like energy and communications. Agriculture can be next. 

Read more here.

The Algae Biomass Organization has enjoyed a long and productive partnership with the European Algae Biomass Organization. One of the perks for ABO members can be taken advantage of next month at AlgaEurope 2019, the annual meeting of European algae producers, researchers and investors.

ABO members may qualify for a €200 discount off the regular registration rate! To take advantage of this benefit ABO members can contact Barb Scheevel for details at: bscheevel@algaebiomass.org.

AlgaEurope is a growing event with participation from all over the globe. For those that can’t attend, there is also an option to live stream the proceedings.

Learn more here.

Algae production technologies are gearing up to provide biomass that can be used in markets that are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars. To help meet that opportunity ABO ‘s sister organization, The Algae Foundation, is coordinating a number of projects that are educating and training the industry’s future workforce.  They have just released a new set of online course material for those interested in developing a career in algae agriculture. 

The new material is part of the Algae Technology Educational Consortium’s Algal Cultivation Extension Short-course (ACES). Part 1 covered macroalgae and Part 2 covers microalgae. These courses are ideal for those who have some knowledge of aquaculture but need to learn the basics of growing large quantities of microalgae. 

Offerings include:

• cultivation and harvesting technologies,
• microscopy, algae species collections,
• nutrient media recipes,
• algae to fuel,
• carbon sequestration,
• food products, and
• interviews with industry experts.

The courses are an impressive collection of expertise and resources for any laboratory or company that needs personnel trained in  algae cultivation. Discover how microalgae cultivation skills can enhance your role in the aquaculture industry. 

Check out this ATEC webpage for registration information. 

October was a busy month for the business of algae in the news. Some of our favorites include innovative designs that allow building tiles to scrub wastewater, the expansion of algae-based feeds in aquaculture, and a futuristic look at how algae could act as oxygen factories inside your blood vessels. Read on to see our selection of news for the month of October, 2019: