Author: Carrie Cox

Algae Biomass Organization Welcomes AlgEternal Technologies as Newest Platinum Member

AlgEternal CEO David Ramjohn Joins ABO’s Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, DC (March 26, 2019) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today announced that AlgEternal Technologies, LLC, a producer of high-value products from microalgae, has joined as the group’s latest platinum-level member. David Ramjohn, Chief Executive Officer of AlgEternal, has also taken a seat on ABO’s Board of Directors. Ramjohn has been an individual member of the ABO since 2013 and, as CEO of AlgEternal, envisions enormous benefits from the new corporate membership.

“AlgEternal intends to create sustainable, highly profitable, economic activity in several multi-billion dollar markets, and recognizes the value of participating in a trade organization that shares a big vision for the future of algae farming and product development,” said Ramjohn. “We look forward to contributing to the ABO’s efforts in legislation and policy development and public awareness, thereby creating opportunities for algae farming to become a source of superior environmentally-friendly products and services, economic security and global sustainability. I encourage all algae businesses to join the ABO; add your voices to the clarion call for this emerging industry that has the potential to effect a step-change for humankind.”

AlgEternal Technologies LLC, based in La Grange, Texas, is a vertically-integrated producer of high-value products from microalgae. AlgEternal grows microalgae in its patented photobioreactor (PBR) technology: the “Vertical Growth Module™” (VGM™), which allows controlled production of microalgae at commercial scale. The company seeks to systematically apply microalgae as a sustainable, integrated solution to the major existing and emerging issues facing the world, e.g. soil depletion, food production, global warming and climate change, water treatment, and the replacement of petroleum as a feedstock for non-fuel products, with greater environmental, social, and economic benefits.

“AlgEternal has rapidly become one of the leading companies producing a new generation of innovative and high-performing products from microalgae,” said Mark Allen, Chair of ABO’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy Corporation. “They are an invaluable addition to the momentum behind ABO’s efforts to develop this new kind of agriculture, and all of the advantages it can bring.”

AlgEternal joins ABO as dozens of new products made possible by commercial algae production are entering consumer and industrial markets. New algae technologies have allowed for innovations in sustainable animal protein alternatives, cooking oils, nutritional supplements, cosmetics and skin care, aquaculture and animal feeds, soil amendments, fertilizers, clothing and footwear, sports equipment, water treatment, biofuels and much more. The ability for algae to grow rapidly, ease pressures on water and land use, and absorb millions of tons of industrial carbon dioxide contribute to improving the sustainability of a wide diversity of products and services.

The growth in multiple markets has helped ABO coordinate a dramatic increase in support for this new industry. Recent legislation has improved federal support for algae agriculture, and new investments are being made in production and new product development.

Dozens of these new products and other industry milestones will be featured at ABO’s annual Algae Biomass Summit, being held in Orlando, Florida, September 16-19, 2019.

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.

NCMA Courses on Algae Culturing and Identification

The National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences will be offering two courses this year that may be of interest to ABO members looking to enhance their culturing and identification skills:

More information about application deadlines, course dates and fees is available in the links above. 

Make an Impression at the 2019 Algae Biomass Summit

It's the largest algae conference in the world!Advanced algae production is driving a wave of change, and is creating new opportunities around the world. From a revolution in food production, to new water treatment options, to climate change and environmental sustainability, leaders from around the globe are realizing that algae will a big part of a successful future.

The 2019 Algae Biomass Summit, organized by the non-profit Algae Biomass Organization has become the go-to event to discover the new innovations, products and services that are being made possible with a new generation of algae cultivation technologies. This year the Summit is being held in Orlando, Florida, September 16-19.

Exhibiting and sponsoring at the world’s largest gathering of algae professionals is the best way to tap into the networks that are making this revolution possible. The event’s exhibit hall is heavily trafficked, with receptions for networking and product demonstrations of the latest advances. Learn how to become an exhibitor here. 

For an even larger role, becoming a sponsor of the Summit can demonstrate a real dedication to leadership in this new industry. In addition to a higher visibility profile and a range of VIP benefits (including exhibit space), you will also be supporting the only algae event that recycles all proceeds into non-profit advocacy to advance algae R&D, market development and more. Learn about sponsorship opportunities here. 

If you are ready to connect with ABO’s network and make an impact with algae reach out to us today! We are happy to walk you through the options whether you are looking for an introduction to the industry, or taking your existing engagement with the algae industry to the next level.

Algae Biomass Organization Welcomes Four New Member Companies Operating in Markets for Food, Feed, Water Treatment and Biotech Automation

Algae Biomass Organization logoWASHINGTON, DC (March 7, 2019) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today announced WonderLogix; Ovivo Inc.; NBO3 Technologies, LLC; and Algenuity as its newest Silver-level members. The four innovators in algae product development, research and production are the latest to join the largest non-profit trade organization dedicated to developing algae into a sustainable source of products and services around the world.

“These companies are bringing new technologies, new products and new expertise to an industry that is generating excitement across dozens of markets,” said said Mark Allen, Chair of ABO’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Integrated Carbon Solutions at Accelergy Corporation. “ABO looks forward to working with them as we build the networks, policy support and customer base that will help make algae a sustainable, productive crop of the future.”

WonderLogix is disrupting the world of biotech automation. Using its patented technology, anyone can design and program control systems, in plain English—no coding or engineering knowledge required. The company works with biotech like algae, cannabis, biopharma, and agritech, helping them to go from process specification to operational code at warp speed.

Ovivo is a global provider of equipment, technology and systems for water and wastewater treatment. With more than 150 years of expertise, Ovivo delivers everything from conventional to highly technological water treatment solutions for water treatment markets. Ovivo’s BioAlgaNyx™ is a pretreatment process using a phagotrophic algae that consumes dissolved organics and small microbial organic particulates from waste sludge, which allows for improved solids stabilization at a much faster rate in digestion process.

NBO3 Technologies, based in Manhattan, Kansas, is an innovator of proprietary feed systems and premium feed. The company has developed an efficient first-to-market protein supply chain system that includes a proprietary feeding protocol for livestock resulting in better animal performance, meat and dairy products that taste better and are nutritionally better, including being high in the essential fatty acid, Omega-3.

Algenuity is an algae technology development and licensing company with world-class expertise in algal biotechnology, solving problems that deliver a positive global impact. Algenuity’s multidisciplinary team develops proprietary and integrated solutions that increase productivity and performance of algal strains, reduce time to market for algal bioproducts, and boost overall profitability. These enabling technologies include a non-GM directed evolution platform, GM strain engineering platforms, novel bioprocess development and optimization tools, and the Algem® family of photobioreactors. Algenuity is located in Stewartby, Bedfordshire, just outside of London.

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.

Seeking Research or Material Deposit Collaboration? Look No Further Than Inside ABO Membership!

Bigelow Laboratory is well known for its leading algal culture collection and marine microbiology research. Did you know Bigelow also houses 1 of ONLY 3 US-based WIPO International Depositary Authority facilities approved for patent procedure under the Budapest Treaty?

By Mike Lomas, NCMA Director, Senior Research Scientist, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Bigelow LaboratoryBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is a world-renowned oceanographic research institution that has materially contributed to what is known about the global ocean for the past four decades. Bigelow currently provides  academic, industrial, and government partners with the same services used by its scientists, to help advance research, enhance discoveries, and find solutions to today’s complex problems. The Lab has six Core Facilities that provide a range of services to individual clients who benefit from its expertise, equipment, and entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, for those interested in working directly in a research-based environment, Bigelow offers its Industrial Collaboration Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Greenhouse for entrepreneurial activities.

Did you know that one of Bigelow’s Core Facilities, the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA), offers a Private Deposit service for biological material and houses 1 of ONLY 3 US-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) International Depositary Authority facilities approved for patent procedure under the Budapest Treaty?

Whether one needs to cryopreserve its biological material for the purpose of patent procedure or would simply prefer a secure backup option outside of its existing lab, Bigelow possesses a dedicated cryopreservation and culturing facility and highly experienced staff ready and willing to meet a Depositor’s needs. The Lab currently accepts a wide range of biological material, e.g., algae, microbes, and terrestrial plant tissue and seed, and has unmatched experience working with marine microorganisms.

PATENT DEPOSIT.  WIPO designated Bigelow’s NCMA as an International Depositary Authority for the purpose of patent procedure under the Budapest Treaty in 2013. As mentioned, Bigelow currently accepts terrestrial plant tissue and plant seed, microbes (non-pathogenic bacteria, non-parasitic protozoa, archaea), and algae (unicellular and multicellular). Deposits can be made directly for this purpose or readily transferred from a Depositor’s private deposit, as applicable, depending upon the status of the Depositor’s IP in development.  The NCMA provides viability tests after the initial deposit and handles all deposit distribution once filed patents are awarded. 

PRIVATE DEPOSIT. As mentioned, the NCMA also accepts biological material into its Private Deposit collection. In this scenario, Depositors typically choose to deposit and cryopreserve (or perpetually culture) their material for off-site storage, risk management, and curation of their valuable biological strains. If a Depositor’s biological material is not cryopreserved, NCMA can either work with them to develop appropriate cryopreservation protocols (NCMA has been cryopreserving algae since 1992 and has~1600 of its own strains cryopreserved) or maintain their strains in liquid medium on a long-term basis. All deposits are completely confidential and accessible only to the Depositor through Bigelow’s secure web-based platform.

About Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Bigelow Laboratory’s mission is to investigate the microbial drivers of global ocean processes through basic and applied research, education, and enterprise. What we are learning will be essential to the conservation and responsible use of the ocean and the many valuable services it provides.

Please contact us at jbrandeis@bigelow.org or (415) 203 8231 for more information or to discuss research or deposit collaboration.

Note: This is a guest post for the ABO blog. The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) are theirs alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by the Algae Biomass Organization