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Cellana and Galil Algae Partner to Scale Up Algae Strains with Immediate Commercial Value
Cellana, Inc., an Algae Biomass Organization member and sponsor of the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit, has made important progress this week toward commercializing algae production.
Cellana has entered into a letter of intent with Galil Algae Cooperative Agricultural Society Limited with the main goal to identify, cultivate, develop, and scale up algae strains with immediate commercial value, emphasizing the high-value components for existing aquaculture, mariculture, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic applications.
Cellana and Galil Algae may also explore the establishment of a new algae research and development center in northern Israel.
Read more about Cellana and Galil Algae’s letter of intent here.
Yet another step forward for the algae industry!
New Leadership at ABO
By Margaret McCormick, PhD, Algae Biomass Organization Board Chair
I am pleased to announce that the Algae Biomass Organization is welcoming its new executive director, Matt Carr, PhD. As we accelerate our industry into the commercialization of fuels, feeds, chemicals and other products that can be sustainably made with algae, we are indeed fortunate to have found an executive director who brings a strong foundation of sector knowledge, policy experience and organizational skills to the table.
Matt has more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy and technology development. Most previously he was Managing Director of the Industrial and Environmental section at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the US and more than 30 other nations.
The Board of Directors is impressed with his deep understanding of the challenges facing the biotechnology community, and what it takes to develop new products and technologies derived from renewable sources.
His ability to develop strong relationships with member companies, understand and articulate their business challenges, as well as his expertise in the issues facing the algae industry make Matt the perfect fit for ABO.
Matt’s appointment is a milestone in ABO’s effort to place a new focus on regulatory and market challenges at a time of rapid growth in the industry. Increasing numbers of companies are manufacturing an incredible range of sustainable products from algae. Technical breakthroughs are increasing in frequency, and the potential impact on economic and energy security is becoming more apparent.
It is more vital than ever for ABO to be the leading voice for algae and this new generation of products.
Among the challenges: We need to make sure the EPA clarifies that growing algae with carbon dioxide is an approved strategy for meeting CO2 emissions reduction goals.
We need renewable energy to be recognized in Master Limited Partnerships, so that a new wave of private investments in algae can be unleashed.
Oil and gas industries have benefited from decades of stable federal subsidies – algae just needs a level playing field.
Continued research and development paired with sensible financing options are what will help this industry reach its full potential—providing jobs in every state, fighting climate change, protecting freshwater supplies, and new consumer products that can make all our lives better.
As ABO members already know, Matt has a good base to work with. We have a new Congressional Algae Caucus, we are building new commercial facilities, and algae-derived products are hitting the market. But there is much, much more to come.
This is a great – and important – time in history to be in this industry.
With Matt leading our efforts, the initiatives I’ve listed here are just the beginning. Look forward to hearing from him in the coming weeks, and please join me in welcoming him to the ABO!
Sincerely,
Margaret McCormick, PhD
Board Chair
The above post was featured in Algae InSight, ABO’s monthly newsletter. Sign up for our monthly newsletters here to stay updated on the latest algae industry news.
Welcome Matt Carr, ABO’s New Executive Director!
Today the Algae Biomass Organization welcomed Matt Carr, Ph.D. as the organization’s new executive director.
As we accelerate the commercialization of fuels, feeds, chemicals and other products that can be sustainably made with algae, ABO is fortunate to have found an executive director who brings a strong foundation of sector knowledge, policy experience and organizational skills to the table.
Matt has more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy and technology development. Most previously he was Managing Director of the Industrial and Environmental section at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the US and more than 30 other nations.
This experience gives Matt a deep understanding of the challenges facing the biotechnology community, and what it takes to develop new products and technologies derived from renewable sources.
Matt’s appointment is a milestone in ABO’s effort to place a new focus on regulatory and market challenges at a time of rapid growth in the industry. Increasing numbers of companies are manufacturing an incredible range of sustainable products from algae. Technical breakthroughs are increasing in frequency, and the potential impact on economic and energy security is becoming more apparent.
You can read more about Matt in his bio, and in today’s press release.
As ABO members already know, Matt has a good base to work with. We have a new Congressional Algae Caucus, we are building new commercial facilities, and algae-derived products are hitting the market. But there is much, much more to come.
This is a great – and important – time in history to be in this industry. Join us in welcoming Matt to the team!
Algae Biomass Organization Announces Matthew Carr, Ph.D. as New Executive Director
Former director at Biotechnology Industry Organization to lead efforts to commercialize algae-derived fuel, food, feed and other products
WASHINGTON, DC (June 18, 2014) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today announced Matthew Carr, Ph.D. as its executive director. Dr. Carr has more than a decade of policy and advocacy experience, most recently serving as Managing Director of the Industrial and Environmental section at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). He will be focused on continuing to develop ABO’s membership and lead the organization’s efforts to accelerate the development of algae technologies that serve trillion-dollar markets in fuels, feed, food and chemical industries.
Dr. Carr’s appointment comes at a time of growth in the algae industry. Increasing numbers of companies are manufacturing a range of sustainable products from algae, including biofuels, animal feeds, Omega-3 fatty acids, plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Yet there are still a variety of regulatory issues, typical with this type of disruptive innovation, which must be addressed for the industry to fully access these markets.
“Matt is well-known and respected throughout the biotech community and among government and policy officials on The Hill and Administration,” said Margaret McCormick, chair of ABO’s board of directors. “His ability to develop strong relationships with member companies, understand and articulate their business challenges, as well as his expertise in the issues facing the algae industry make Matt the perfect fit for ABO.”
Dr. Carr spent nearly a decade at BIO, the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the US and more than 30 other nations. Dr. Carr focused on biotechnology companies who are developing new products and technologies derived from renewable sources or manufactured in sustainable processes. He helped them navigate the complex regulatory environment and create mutually beneficial outcomes for consumers, government and the companies themselves.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside ABO and several of its members during the past five years on ensuring that federal and state policy supports the growth of the biobased economy. I have admired the passion and potential for this industry to make a significant impact on our nation’s economic, energy and food security,” said Dr. Carr. “I am honored to be joining the organization and looking forward to the road ahead.”
Prior to joining BIO, Dr. Carr was the American Meteorological Society Congressional Fellow on the Senate Agriculture Committee for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), where he contributed to the development of the biomass provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Before starting his career in Washington D.C., Dr. Carr was an environmental reporter for the Dallas Morning News and was a Mathematics Director at The Harbor School in Vashon, Washington. He volunteers with the Earth Conservation Corps and is a part of River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Environmental Task Force, Religious Education Program.
Dr. Carr received a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington and a B.Sc. in Atmospheric & Ocean Sciences (Honors) from McGill University.
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.
