ABO Blog

ABO members are invited to participate in three new member advisory committees that will help set ABO priorities and policy action in the areas of sustainable aviation fuel, the sustainable and carbon neutral treatment of wastewater, the development of low carbon feed and food, and the use of algae in regenerative agriculture.

The new committees reflect the growing interest in ABO’s role as a cohesive voice for high profile advocacy for federal legislation and funding opportunities and market development for the algae and seaweed industries. 

During the first three months of 2023 ABO has recruited over 10 new members presenting various algae sectors, including agriculture, academia, wastewater treatment, sustainability and carbon consulting, regenerative agriculture, and food & feed. Our organization has renewed momentum as algae is at the forefront of the development of solutions for each of these markets.

The three new member Advisory Committees are: 

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Advisory Committee – with the announcement of the SAF Grand Challenge and U.S. airlines’ commitment to sustainability by 2050 and related tax credits, there is great momentum for algae and seaweeds as a SAF feedstock. Members of this committee will help set ABO’s efforts to accelerate the opportunity for algae and seaweeds. 

Water Treatment and Environmental Services Advisory Committee – there is a movement in the water and wastewater and related environmental services space to develop energy-efficient, sustainable and carbon-neutral treatment. Members of this committee will be asked to deepen our connections in water treatment networks, and develop ABO’s communications on the potential for algae in these markets. 

Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Capture Advisory Committee – there is an increased focus in agriculture to improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions (from inputs) and improve overall carbon scoring and sustainability throughout the entire production chain. Members of this committee will shape ABO’s policy priorities in the Farm Bill and other legislation, as well as advocate for the implementation of algae & seaweed solutions in agriculture and carbon capture. 

These committees will meet at least quarterly (virtually) to highlight ABO members’ current efforts, develop policy/strategy and direct ABO advocacy efforts. 

If you and your member company or organization would like to participate in these advisory committees as both a member and or chairperson, please contact ABO’s Interim Executive Director Jon Kallen at jkallen@algaebiomass.org

This month the Algae Biomass Organization welcomes CLEARAS Solutions as our latest Silver-level member. CLEARAS is a Montana-based company that specializes in using algae to recover nutrients, sequester carbon dioxide and generate plant-based material for reliable bioproducts that can replace traditional, fossil fuel based supply chains. The company has participated in over $50 million of projects in the last three years and currently has systems operating in several locations including Montana, Utah, and Wisconsin. The company has worked with a variety of clients, including municipalities, food and beverage producers, auto manufacturers, pulp and paper mills and agricultural operations. 

Wastewater Resource Recovery as a Service

CLEARAS is pioneering a delivery model that allows clients to streamline how they take advantage of the sustainability and carbon management benefits of the technology. These advantages could include new revenue streams from the bioproducts generated, carbon credits, or performance improvements that come from using plant-based feedstocks.  

By operationalizing “resource recovery as a service” CLEARAS is finding that their partnerships can be designed to more efficiently take advantage of tax incentives, deliver on real carbon sequestration, and provide the budget predictability of a long-term service agreement. 

Integrating Algae Into Net Zero Initiatives

CLEARAS’ solution is especially appealing for industrial and municipal clients advancing Net Zero or ESG initiatives aimed at decarbonization and wastewater resource recovery. These kinds of initiatives are successful when the results are real, and when the strategies used can meet bottom line business needs. CLEARAS’ technology first starts to meet these bottom-line requirements by minimizing energy consumption, eliminating the use of harsh chemicals in water treatment, and reducing costs. The result is a water treatment option that virtually any municipality or industrial partner will find attractive. 

Yet the business case is amplified by the environmental and sustainability benefits that come with producing biomaterials that can replace fossil fuels or decarbonization strategies for a firm that needs to offset emissions in its own operations (Scope 1), or somewhere downstream in the supply chain (Scope 3). As more firms seek real sustainability results, the EcoRecover solution will continue to rise to the top. 

Attendees of the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit will have a unique opportunity to see CLEARAS’ approach firsthand. The Summit will be offering an exclusive tour of the company’s facility in Waupun, Wisconsin. The finished project features a 35,000 sq ft greenhouse and a 300,000 gallon mix tank. It will be able to produce up to 3,000lbs of dry biomaterial per day, which can translate into thousands of dollars in market value. Sign up for the Summit to get an invitation. 

For more information check out CLEARAS’s website for call their cofounder Kevin McGraw at  406-381-3422. 

Welcome CLEARAS Solutions!

ABO members are now eligible for exclusive discounts of up to 30% on a wide range of testing needs from Eurofins Craft Technologies. Eurofins is a global leader in laboratory-grade testing and can meet the needs of nearly any algae and seaweed research or commercial application. With the highest commitments to scientific standards, quality and service, Eurfins’ offering will be hard to ignore. 

Eurofins Craft Technologies is offering this exclusive benefit to all ABO remembers, regardless of membership level. ABO members can login to our new membership portal below to view discounts by type, ranging from standard, everyday testing all the way to pure method development.

Note: If this is the first time you are logging in to our new member portal you may have to reset your password with the “forgot password” feature.

The Algae Biomass Organization welcomes this month Impact7G as the organization’s newest Silver-level member. Impact7G is a US-based environmental services firm that provides clients with data, field services and analysis that can help meet needs for environmental planning, due diligence, and compliance. Their wide range of services includes the growing field of decarbonization planning, and they are eager to work with the ABO community that can play a role in reducing carbon impacts in a diverse range of supply chains. 

As a decarbonization planning consultant, Impact7G works with corporate clients to determine the risks and opportunities they face when looking to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhous gas emissions. Algae and seaweed have enormous potential to pull CO2 from the atmosphere or industrial operations, and can also be a source of sustainable products and revenue. This is an especially attractive advantage for corporate decarbonization strategies. 

Impact7G’s experience with small companies as well as Fortune 500 firms can help them meet carbon reduction goals and accelerate the deployment of ABO members’ technologies into commercial applications. The company is also consulting clients on carbon offset strategies, lifecycle analysis, feasibility and implementation of renewable energy, waste management, pollution prevention, as well as ecological restoration services.

Impact7G’s services extend far beyond decarbonization, but each has overlap with many of the verticals that ABO members are operating within. The company conducts scientific analysis for a wide range of environmental needs, including environmental permitting, industrial hygiene, brownfields redevelopment, water quality, and soil health.

“Our clients include those just starting with their decarbonization planning, to those with mature programs and implementation needs,” said Ben Curtis, Director of Sustainability at Impact7G, “We are excited to be maximizing the impact algae and seaweed can make in data-driven, scientifically sound decarbonization efforts and environmental services.”

Impact7G has staff in 13 states and provides services to clients nationwide. It is an enormous network, and ABO looks forward to working closely with Impact7G to ensure algae and seaweed are part of the discussion in corporate ESG initiatives and decarbonization planning.

Welcome Impact7G! Learn more about them at https://www.impact7g.com/. 

By Martin Gross

2023 is going to see some exciting changes at the Algae Biomass Organization. We are saying goodbye to some familiar faces, but also excited to welcome a new wave of members and leaders dedicated to advancing algae and seaweeds. 

Continue reading Welcoming ABO’s New Interim Executive Director Jon Kallen