ABO Blog

A $320 billion market that could also capture 3 billion tons of carbon emissions

A recent report by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) takes a close look at using carbon emissions as a feedstock to more efficiently decarbonize economies around the world. The authors identify an enormous opportunity for algae.

C2ES published “Carbon Utilization–A Vital and Effective Pathway for Decarbonization” to examine how carbon utilization processes not associated with enhanced oil production (EOR) might lead to emissions reductions. In other words, how CO₂ can be captured and used to manufacture things like construction materials, fuels, plastics, chemicals and more. 

ABO worked closely with C2ES on the report, and the chapter on algae identifies some near-term opportunities as well as larger applications that will unfold over time. 

A Big Market, and Big Carbon Reductions

C2ES estimates that by 2025 the market for algae-based products will be approximately $14 billions, but then expand dramatically to $320 billion by 2030. 

 

The market size is impressive, but so is the amount of CO₂ that could be used. The report indicates that by 2030 the CO₂ use potential of algae-based products could approach 3 billion tons. 

The report also highlights the fact that algae production does not require purified streams of CO₂ in order to be productive. In many cases, flue gas from a power plant can be fed directly to microalgae, reducing the need for expensive purification equipment. In fact, some combustion waste products like nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides can be used as nutrients by algae. 

Furthermore, the CO₂ used to grow algae doesn’t have to come from fossil sources. Direct air capture or other industrial processes are also being examined as feedstock sources. This opens the door for algae to play a role in reversing runaway climate change. 

Combining a Strong Market Pull With a Smart Policy Push

The authors note one of the most remarkable advantages of algae in carbon utilization is the wide range of products that can be made. They list just a sliver of what’s possible: livestock and aquaculture feed, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, food products, bioplastics, biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilizers, bio-methane for electricity production, bio-jet fuel, bio-ethanol, and bio-diesel. 

Since some of these products already have demonstrated market commercial value, market economics could lead to industry scale-up. 

There is broad potential to offset the capital costs associated with algae production facilities near industrial CO₂ sources, like power plants. This is a vital distinction, since real emissions reductions will require a significant market pull that arises from a demand for low-carbon products, in addition to new policy support.

To give carbon utilization the policy push it needs to meet this remarkable potential, C2ES proposes options along four categories:         

• Financial enablers such as tax credits and subsidized project finance.
• Research that coordinates federal spending on all phases of research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D).            
• Infrastructure development of CO₂ transportation pipelines, facilities, etc.    
• Market enablers such as industry standards and procurement policies that provide preferential demand for products with recycled carbon.

Each of these is detailed in the report available here. The team at C2ES deserves congratulations for bringing more attention to the remarkable potentials of carbon utilization. 

Ready to get involved on behalf of algae? The race to turn carbon into a valuable feedstock is on, and the members of the Algae Biomass Organization are at the forefront. Join us by becoming a member, or sign up for our newsletter to keep up on the latest.

 

Membranology brings advanced filtration technology and expertise to the global algae industry

The Algae Biomass Organization welcomes Membranology, a provider of advanced filtration technologies and expertise, as the group’s newest Silver-level corporate member.

Advanced filtration is a key process for many algae producers and product developers. Algae cells produced in bioreactors, open ponds, fermentation tanks or even in wastewater treatment facilities must often be physically separated from water into a concentrated form. The concentrated algae is then used for R&D applications, product development or other biomass processes. 

Membranology’s expertise extends far beyond just cell harvesting. Their extensive knowledge of filtration and process engineering has facilitated their development of novel processes for separation and concentration of valuable products obtained from algae. Optimized downstream processing of the algal products is key to economic recovery and clean-up of the water for reuse.

Membranology’s approach to separation process has been lauded by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), one of the world’s leading professional engineering groups, and has benefited both novices and experts when it comes to using membrane filtration technologies to yield high-value, pure algae from a variety of production methods.

“We are looking forward to playing a role in ABO’s efforts to advance the algae industry,” said Richard Phillips, Managing Director at Membranology. “We were impressed by the depth and size of the industry on display the 2019 Algae Biomass Summit, and particularly that ABO’s mission is so closely aligned with our own dedication to increasing innovation and reducing costs in the algae industry.”

Membranology offers a variety of services to algae producers:

• Fluid and Membrane Characterization, Membrane Selection
• Process Design and Innovation
• Membrane Autopsy
• On-Site Pilot trials
• Education and Training

Since Membranology is independent of any supplier, their engineers can always choose the optimum membrane for a given application, and offer state-of-the-art equipment for process stream and membrane characterization.

For a limited time Membranology is offering ABO members free consultations. Reach out them at info@membranology.com for details.

A big welcome to Membranology!

For more information visit https://membranology.com/

Interested in ABO membership? Sign up before November 15, 2019 to take advantage of our fall discount offers!

We are all saddened by the passing last Thursday of Dr. Robert Gardner, a dedicated member of the algae community that made enduring contributions to science, education, and to the growth of the Algae Biomass Organization.

Rob was well-respected for his research on algal biofuels at Montana State University as a Ph.D. student and later as an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. He also conceived of and organized the first Young Innovators Lounge (YIL), an annual series of events at the Algae Biomass Summit designed to help students advance their careers by making personal connections with industry leaders.  

Rob was one of the earliest student members of the Algae Biomass Organization, and made contributions at every Summit from 2008-2019, chairing the YIL and poster sessions in 2013-2015, and then serving as the event’s Biology track chair from 2016-2018. He also served on the Technical Standards committee for ABO’s most important industry standards document: Industrial Algae Measurements, v. 8.0. 

Rob’s contributions to science and education, and especially his collegial and energetic spirit, will continue to be an inspiration to the entire ABO community. He will be greatly missed.

Read Rob’s obituary here. 

Read a statement from Mark Allen, ABO’s President and Board Chair, here.

A college scholarship fund in his honor has been set up to support his daughter’s college expenses.  To make a donation A “GoFundMe” account has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rob-gardner-memorial-college-fund-for-korey 

Algae technology developers take note! Fraunhofer TechBridge, a program of Fraunhofer USA, is now accepting applications for its newest TechBridge Challenge, the Designed2Scale Challenge presented in collaboration with ExxonMobil.

Fraunhofer TechBridgewill award up to $50,000 in prototyping, demonstration, and/or validation services from the world-renowned Fraunhofer R&D network to selected teams.