At the recent G20 Summit, President Biden, along with other global leaders, launched the Global Biofuel Alliance. This initiative aims to establish a worldwide supply of sustainable and economically viable biofuels. What will be the role for algae and seaweed?
In the United States, Congress is gearing up for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and policymakers have a unique opportunity to utilize key programs that can expedite the adoption of emerging biofuel technologies such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
As a source of SAFs, algae and seaweeds have enormous potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce land use impacts. They have also seen impressive technological progress that has enhanced production potentials and reduced costs. It is clear algae and seaweed producers could have a strategic advantage when it comes to SAFs–if we can leverage appropriate market and policy support.
To guide the Algae Biomass Organization’s work with a diverse coalition in this space we have established a SAF Advisory Committee. This Committee is made up of ABO members ready to support federal and state legislative and regulatory advocacy, guide collaboration and engagement with external stakeholders, and otherwise direct the algae and seaweed community’s contribution to reducing the climate impacts of aviation.
Join ABO’s efforts to advance SAF in the Farm Bill and elsewhere. To join the SAF Advisory Committee, reach out to ABO’s executive director Jon Kallen at jkallen@algaebiomass.org.
In an effort to increase the visibility of our organization, interface with other aligned stakeholders and profile the work of many of our member companies, ABO Interim Executive Director, Jon Kallen, was an invited speaker at two events this past month.
SAF Agriculture Summit – St. Louis, Missouri (September 7, 2023).
This Summit had over 60 attendees from throughout the U.S. and included SAF producers (corn growers, soy growers, animal fat producers), refiners (GEVO and Lanzajet) end users, and federal funders (USDA, DOE BETO). During this Summit, Jon was able to showcase the efforts of ABO members in SAF production and highlight our industry needs to include increased scale, and needed efficiencies in processing (via Hydrothermal liquefaction).
Water Environment Federation RISE (Research and Innovation for Strengthening Engagement) Committee (September 19, 2023)
WEF’s RISE committee held a virtual webcast to showcase algae based wastewater treatment. Over 150 attendees participated in this webcast. Other presenters/facilitators included ABO Members Dr. Craig Just from the University of Iowa, College of Engineering, Dr. Martin Gross from GWT, and Dr. Hannah Molitor representing Clearas Solutions. During Jon’s presentation, he provided an overview of the work of ABO to include a discussion showcasing the efforts of our wastewater treatment members to include GWT, AlgaeWheel, MicroBio Engineering and Clearas Solutions.
We are just beginning to plan for ABO’s 2024 events schedule. Reach out if you’d like to see algae representation or expertise at your own conference, round table discussions or other event. ABO staff and members are available to explore the algae and seaweed opportunity!
Featured Panel at the Algae Biomass Summit Madison, Wisconsin Monday, October 9 at 9:00am
Discover the latest algae and seaweed opportunities during this special plenary panel at the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are finding unprecedented support in policy, as well as investments in Europe and the United States. Algae and seaweeds are positioned to become a key source of these fuels, and recent technological advances are driving down production costs and improving carbon reduction potentials in line with the goals of the US Department of Energy’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge.
During this moderator-led panelist session, participants will hear from algae companies in the SAF space, as well as policy and technical experts supporting these initiatives.
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the U.S. based non-profit trade organization for the algae and seaweed industries, has announced it is relocating its headquarters from Minnesota and will be leasing office space in the Financial Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The move comes as the algae and seaweed industries diversify to impact a wider range of markets than ever before, including biomanufacturing, energy, agriculture, water treatment, and more. The new offices also allow closer coordination between ABO members and the organization’s interim Executive Director Jon Kallen, who is also based in Iowa.
“Des Moines and the state of Iowa are an attractive area to be based as this area is a center for innovation in agriculture, sustainable fuels, and related research and development at state universities,” said Mike LaMont, ABO’s Board of Directors. “Additionally, we have many existing ABO members based in Iowa who are spearheading creative new developments in the areas of algae feed, food, fuel, and water treatment. As these and other synergies develop, the ABO is poised for explosive growth as algae is critical to the U.S.’s goal of promoting sustainable solutions in agriculture, feed/food production, and aviation fuel. Algae is the most sustainable solution, utilizing and capturing carbon dioxide during its growth. The ABO looks forward to adding to the vibrant business climate in the central business district of downtown Des Moines, the heart of the Midwest.”
ABO is world’s largest trade organization focusing on promoting the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable products derived from algae and seaweed. The ABO’s diverse membership includes over 150 commercial algae companies, academic institutions, national research laboratories, governmental agencies and professional consulting groups in United States, Canada, and Europe. The organization also produces the annual Algae Biomass Summit, the largest gathering of algae and seaweed scientists, business leaders, policy experts and entrepreneurs.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership expressed the organization’s excitement at the ABO’s headquarters being based in downtown Des Moines.
“We are excited to welcome ABO’s headquarters to Greater Des Moines and our vibrant Downtown district,” said Renae Mauk, Vice President of Downtown Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “This project is a testament to our region’s strength as a hub for ag innovation and further establishes Greater Des Moines as a great place for agriculture and bioscience companies to grow and expand.”
Billi Hunt, Executive Director of Iowa’ Cultivation Corridor stated, “As the nation’s leader in biobased products and processing, Iowa welcomes the Algae Biomass Organization to Des Moines. Iowa has a very strong portfolio of algae-based products and innovations. We look forward to working more closely with the organization to grow the industry here and around the world.”
About the Algae Biomass Organization
The Algae Biomass Organization is the non-profit trade association and unified voice of the algae and seaweed industries. Working on behalf of all sectors, the ABO advocates for algae-advancing policy and funding, serves as a hub for innovation and networking, and drives demand for “made with algae” products and services.
The annual Algae Biomass Summit, ABO’s signature event, is the largest global gathering of algae producers, researchers, investors, suppliers, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
Founded in 2008, the ABO is led by a Board of Directors representative of the industry’s value chain. Together, with the broader membership, they strive to deliver on the shared mission to promote and accelerate the power of algae to create a step-change in the health and well-being of humanity and the environment. More information is at: www.algaebiomass.org.
Monona Terrace Convention Center Madison, Wisconsin Monday, October 9 at 1:45pm
Join us at the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit for a special keynote presentation from Checkerspot Co-founder and CEO Charles Dimmler. Checkerspot is one of the algae industry’s biomanufacturing leaders, harnessing the potential of microalgae to create molecular building blocks at commercial scale.
A Certified B Corporation™, the award-winning San Francisco Bay Area-based company is providing advanced biobased materials for recreational hard goods and apparel, bringing the materials to life through its outdoor recreation brand, WNDR® Alpine, as well as the 2023 SXSW Award winning Pollinator Kit. Checkerspot also develops ingredients for personal care, food and nutrition that are sustainable, high performing, and have the potential to reach multi-billion dollar markets.
Find out how this company has raised more than $100 million, opened its platform to innovators, and is helping its partners join a post-petroleum future.
