Category: Blog

By Lieve Laurens

The second annual Technical Standards Focus Group convened in early June 2021 to revisit some of the technical considerations and priorities for guidance development that were highlighted after the inaugural working group meeting in March 2020; nutritional information and biomass composition; identification methodology and genetic analyses; safety and presence of toxins and toxic metals; and finally, labeling and reporting requirements.¹

The meetings were attended by about 30 participants, including representatives from the National institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AFFCO), The Department of Energy ARPA-e office, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), algae producers and consumers, and a number of commercial analytical laboratories, including Eurofins, Celignis, Exact Scientific.

The major topics covered represented identified priorities from several surveys and in-person interactions. There is consensus that most regulating standards that currently exist are not specific to algae, though still often used for algae applications, characterization and reporting. This lack of specificity has led to confusion around best practices. Guidance around testing methods and prioritization of analyses is often not available in existing regulations. The goal of the 2021 working group discussion was focused on an actionable strategy that would address some of the primary issues identified in 2020, as well as expand the group and the discussion to be inclusive of macroalgae, presenting related but unique challenges in terms of characterization strategies.

Perhaps the biggest identified priority from the working group meeting is the need for establishment of definitions for each of the constituents, which would lead to at least a basis of a common language establishment that can then be followed with matching of existing standard methods. Furthermore, setting targets around the identification of toxins for specific biomass sources and matrices was listed as another of the major priority gaps.

A second recurring theme in the discussion forum was the urgent need for a standard reference material (SRM), representative of multiple different biomass and material matrices currently or imminently commercialized. The group recognized that several SRMs are already available through central distribution mechanisms or partners (e.g. NIST) but not necessarily tailored to represent specific constituents or the commercialization sector, or characterized across a nationwide network through the utilization of a ring test for specific applications.

The main challenge identified is now associated with building reporting consensus standards that are representative of the widely different sectors and applications pursued by the emerging and established commercial algae producers and consumers. An example of an industry sector that is ready to welcome algae, is the feed ingredients producers and formulators. Representation from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) was well-received at the meeting, bringing background and experience on a proficiency testing program that can be expanded and ultimately support both the familiarization of feed laboratories and formulators with algal biomass, but also support the developing of a testing method alignment strategy and collaboration among a large number of testing laboratories. This is the kind of approach that is necessary to help drive the adoption and growth of an algae-based ingredients industry and the group is looking forward to collecting and disseminating input from all corners of this emerging field.

For further information and to participate in the future direction of the Technical Standards Working Group, please reach out to: TechStandards@algaebiomass.org.

This month ABO welcomes Arizona Algae Products, a company producing sustainable protein powders and omega-3 oils from algae for use in food, dietary supplements and wellness products, as one of our newest Bronze-level members. The Bronze-level ABO membership was designed for startups with potential to make big impacts in the industry, and Arizona Algae fits that description perfectly. 

Arizona Algae’s technology is centered around cutting-edge bioreactors and enclosed raceway ponds that grow natural, photosynthetic algae that are processed into a variety of non-GMO, non-allergenic products. The controlled environment means Arizona Algae’s products can be very consistent and meet the highest quality standards for the most discerning applications. 

The company is currently growing and harvesting algae in greenhouses with a production area of over 60,000 square feet, high atop the Colorado Plateau near Holbrook, Arizona. All growing operations take place under USDA-GAP (“Good Agricultural Practices”) and all downstream processing conforms to cGMP standards. 

The company’s location may seem remote, but it illustrates the great potential of algae cultivation, and the jobs that can come with it, to thrive in places where traditional agriculture would not. At 5,500 feet of elevation, little rain, and brackish groundwater the site is fairly inhospitable for growing traditional crops, but those are perfect conditions for Arizona Algae’s photobioreactors and saltwater-loving strains of algae.

Some of the company’s products include: 

• EPA15+ Algal Oil Extract, a full-spectrum, food-grade oil extract.
• DEPRO50+ Defatted Algae Protein plus Omega 3 Powder, an excellent source of non-animal protein, containing a minimum of 50% protein with a complete amino-acid profile, carotenoids, and residual levels of omega 3 EPA.
• WPRO30+ Whole Algae Protein plus Omega 3 Powder, also an excellent source of non animal protein, containing all essential amino acids plus EPA omega 3.

These products have a number of specialty applications in multi-billion dollar markets, but they also have everyday uses. The company’s website includes recipes for algae bread, noodles, crackers and gyoza.   

Sustainability is one of the defining characteristics of the Arizona Algae process, and the company’s overarching mission to its customers and partners. The company incorporates environmental stewardship into its own operations, in addition to providing a line of ingredients that can help improve the sustainability profiles of their customer’s own supply chains. 

Learn more at https://www.azalgae.com 

Welcome Arizona Algae!

The Biden Administration is weaving climate policy into almost every facet of the government, and at ABO we are working closely with the White House, Congress and federal agencies to ensure that the microalgae and seaweed industry can play its part.  A robust algae industry has the potential to employ thousands of people, lend solutions to hundreds of markets in need of sustainable options, and help lay the foundations for a low-carbon global economy. 

Smart policy choices can accelerate the day those benefits become a reality. From the design of regulations and R&D funding, to federal procurement rules and rural job development, ABO is making sure today’s policy discussions include the importance of algae. 

Here are some of the latest policy priorities ABO in working on:

Ensure Algae is Part of the Climate Fight

With the Administration’s commitment to making climate change a priority across government, ABO is busy providing input on how algae can fit into everything from carbon capture and land use decisions, to carbon offsets and more. 

• We recently provided input to help ensure algae and seaweed agriculture are eligible for provisions in the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The bill would help farmers tap into resources to allow them to get credits for adopting climate-smart practices, specifically current and future activities that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon.
• We are currently engaged with a bipartisan coalition to ensure the algae can find even more support in the revolutionary 45Q tax credit for carbon utilization. We are advocating for changes that can incentivize carbon capture from an even wider range of algae producers. 

Supercharge Algae Agriculture with the Help of the USDA

At ABO we think it is vital to lay the foundations for a large-scale commercialization of algae farming that can be integral to classic agriculture.

The USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture strategy is one new initiative with great potential to leverage the innovation and potential of America’s farmers and ranchers to the cause of climate mitigation and adaptation. Algae farmers should be included in that strategy. 

We have asked USDA to consider a wide range of effective measures than can help the algae industry decarbonize agricultural practices and products, including:

• Supporting the launch of the Algae Center of Excellence, an ABO priority that will be key to coordinating algae research and commercialization into food, feed, biomaterials, soil amendments, CO2 removal, other GHG abatement, waterway restoration, Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB)  prevention and mitigation, and wastewater treatment.
• Investing in Carbon Capture and Utilization Innovation that can harness algae’s ability to to utilize non-arable land (in addition to CO2), fix soil carbon, remediate impaired waters, as well as to support rural development.
• Include algae in low-carbon bioenergy and biomaterials investments such as fuels, plastics, foam products, fertilizers/compost, and more.
• Include algae solutions in climate smart practices through USDA conservation programs, such as USDA tools like CometPlanner, that farmers use to evaluate crops for their carbon impacts.
• Support research, development and commercialization of HAB biomass as fertilizer and soil amendments. New technologies for HAB mitigation can physically remove algae from affected waterways, and further R&D can put these solutions into practice in communities across the U.S. 
• Increase SBIR grants for accelerating development and commercialization of algae products and services. SBIR grants have already helped startups develop kelp-enhanced breads, refine the process for producing valuable oils from algae, and create algae-based aquaculture feed. The USDA should join other agencies in supporting more innovations like these. 
• Include algae solutions in Carbon Bank development: If USDA considers launching a Carbon Bank, algae-based soil amendments that build soil fertility and store carbon should be included alongside other practices applied in regenerative agriculture. 

Maintain Robust Research, Development and Commercialization Funding at the DOE

Appropriations for algae research has allowed for remarkable technology advances over the past decade, especially at the Department of Energy (DOE). This year the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is directing $40 million to advanced algae research. $21 million was dedicated by the DOE’s Fossil Energy (FE) office for non-geologic carbon utilization activities, and $10 million is being allocated for R&D into direct air capture technologies. 

ABO is in touch with Members of Congress as they plan for FY2022 appropropriations that can continue this long-standing and successful support. 

Are you ready to learn more about how algae can play a role in climate policy and economic development? Join us! ABO is a leading voice for the microalgae and macroalgae industry. We believe that robust policy support can accelerate technology and business development in a way that delivers invaluable benefits. 

And don’t forget to join hundreds of algae professionals at the 2021 Algae Biomass Summit, being held virtually September 28-October 27. We will be gathering to discuss these priorities and more with leaders from all over the world.