Category: Blog

Technology innovators are finding new ways to make algae a more effective and sustainable ingredient in countless applications, and over the past few months an uptick in algae activity in bioplastic markets has caught our attention. 

Plastic is quickly being recognized as a more serious environmental problem than previously thought. Millions of tons of plastic are finding their way into our ecosystems, from the oceans, to animal life and even inside our bodies. A collapse in global recycling markets may only add to the challenge of dealing with so many plastic products that have become part of our daily lives. 

Solutions are coming from all quarters, and algae are among the most promising. A recent Greenbiz story highlighted several efforts, including Algix and its algae-based foams that can be used in everything from shoes, to outerwear, to everyday household items. Other companies working on plastic and polymer products from algae (including seaweeds, which are also a type of algae) include ABO member Checkerspot, as well as Algenesis, Loliware, Ooho, and Evoware. 

The global nature of the challenge means potential solutions are attracting attention from global leaders. Indonesia, for example, hopes to rally its entire seaweed industry to tap the bioplastics market. 

Business is not the only place to find progress. Advanced research is also unlocking ways to enhance the ability of algae to contribute to solutions to the plastics problem. At Japan’s Kobe University, a team recently reported they had discovered how to induce algae to produce D-lactate, a valuable precursor chemical in bioplastics. And at the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation scientists reported last year how modified algal cells can produce biodegradable plastics. 

More innovation is in the pipeline, among companies in the research community. Submissions to present at the upcoming Algae Biomass Summit included more innovations in the polymers and plastics sector than ever before, and will likely be a significant component of the Summit’s agenda. If you are interested in participating in the Summit’s focus on algae-based plastics, you can still submit an abstract here. 

Given the size of the plastics market, and the scope of the environmental challenge, it is clear that algae have a bright future in how we manufacture the products that make modern life possible. At ABO we will be keeping up with the latest developments, building networks, and streamlining the process that will transform these advanced innovations into everyday solutions. 

Ready to take advantage of the algae opportunity? Join us!

Update 3/31/2020: Please see a new update regarding our Summit planning here.

The Algae Biomass Organization is monitoring the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and evaluating potential impacts on the 2020 Algae Biomass Summit. At this point we do not anticipate significant changes to the Summit’s schedule, programming or venue.

We are working closely with our partners at the University of California, San Diego as we plan the event. Ensuring that the Summit is a safe and productive event for everyone is our highest priority, and we will be following all guidance from federal and local health agencies.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update our attendees, exhibitors and partners with any changes. We encourage all attendees to adopt healthy travel habits, and to consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for additional guidance.

Learn more about the Summit here.

Dan Levy, AECOM Vice President, joins ABO’s Board of Directors

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) welcomes AECOM,  the world’s premier environmental engineering and infrastructure firm, as the group’s newest gold-level member. Dan Levy, AECOM Vice President, was also elected to ABO’s Board of Directors.

AECOM has a record of successfully executing the largest, most complex environmental engineering projects across the world. Their expertise spans design, transportation infrastructure, water, energy, and construction services. For the past 2 years AECOM has been a leader in Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) research and is now complementing that work with a focus on technology transfer, applying its research and practical solutions to address a growing environmental crisis. In 2019, AECOM partnered with local governments and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on the Harmful Algal Bloom, Interception, Treatment and Transform System (HABITATS) research project to demonstrate a rapidly deployable system that mitigates large HABs in an economically viable and sustainable manner.

AECOM’s use of its unique algae harvester platform and its partnership with Bloom, who transforms algae into biofoam, gained national attention after its role in cleaning and restoring 22 residential canals during the 2018 HAB crisis in Florida. The innovative and modular design is scalable to any size and provides a “No Harm” solution for mitigating this global crisis. An overview of  AECOM’s 2018 emergency HAB work can be found on the Environmental Law Institute’s blog and details about the 2019 HABITATS research project can be found on NPR.

“Removing harmful algae from local waterways and transforming the biomass into useful products is a novel problem solution. It is a privilege to be working with a trade organization dedicated to making technologies like this successful,” said Levy. “ABO is the leading source of expertise and advocacy that can accelerate the deployment of solutions like ours capable of transforming HAB-infested waterways into clean water.”

Levy comes to ABO’s board with 34 years of experience leading solutions to environmental challenges. In addition to serving as a Vice President for AECOM’s environmental business in the Americas, he is National Director of AECOM’s innovative algae mitigation and prevention program. Levy and the Algae Solution Team have been on the cutting edge of research of harmful algae blooms, long before HABs gained national attention, developing the company’s treatment technologies.

 Levy received an honor award for innovation as the co-inventor of the patented SEDCUT dredging technology that was developed for the removal of nutrient-rich sediments, a technology that was proven successful in collaboration with the South Florida Water Management District and USACE.  AECOM is also a recipient of a 2018 National Western Dredging Association Environmental Excellence Award, 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Southeast District Superior Excellence Distinction Award for outstanding environmental practices, and the 2019 Environmental Business Journal Award for Social Contribution for development of the innovative algae harvesting program.

“AECOM is setting a new standard for mitigating algal blooms by transforming the environmental challenge into an economic opportunity, while delivering clean water at the same time,” said Mark P. Allen, P.E., ABO’s board chairman and vice president at Accelergy Corporation. “We are pleased to have an engineering powerhouse like AECOM as an ABO member and Dan’s expertise in algae technology development on our board of directors.”

For more information about AECOM’s environmental services, visit: https://www.aecom.com/environment

The ABO Technical Standards Committee is organizing an in-person, all day, Algae Technical Standards Focus Group Discussion on March 19, 2020 at NREL in Golden, Colorado. The subjects that will be covered by this industry listening session include current standards available for characterization and reporting on algal biomass characteristics and their relevance and gaps in currently described methodology applied to both microalgae and macroalgae or seaweed materials.

Confirmed attendees include representatives from algal biomass and product production companies, commercial analytical laboratories, and government agencies.

This focus group attendance is by invitation, and interested people should send an email to TechStandards@algaebiomass.org expressing interest. There are opportunities to present on relevant topics in a quick slide presentation format.

Jaakko Nauha, Head of Initiative, Algae at Neste joins ABO’s board of directors 

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) welcomes Neste, a global leader in renewable fuels and one of the most sustainable companies in the world, as the group’s newest platinum-level member. Jaakko Nauha, Neste’s Head of Initiative, Algae was also elected to ABO’s board of directors on January 16, 2020. 

Neste is a leader in the development of technologies that can provide low-emission, sustainable fuels and solutions for customers in the transportation, aviation as well as polymers and chemicals sectors. The company, based in Finland, is the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel produced from waste and residue raw materials.

Neste has been a long-time supporter of commercialization efforts that can drive the technologies and expertise needed to make algae a feedstock for low-emission fuels. 

Neste has supported ABO’s efforts as a silver-level member since 2013. The company’s upgrade to a platinum-level membership comes as a number of global energy leaders are investing in the potential of algae-derived fuels, chemicals and other products.

“We are excited to engage even more deeply in algae innovation with Algae Biomass Organization members,” said Nauha. “ABO’s dedication to accelerating innovation dovetails with Neste’s commitment to developing global supplies of sustainable fuels and other products. We look forward to a transformative decade with all of our ABO partners”

“ABO is grateful for Neste’s increased support,” said Mark Allen, ABO’s Board Chairman and Vice President at Accelergy Corporation. “Global sustainability challenges are presenting opportunity for companies that are ready to develop a new generation of solutions, and Neste is already a recognized leader.”

For more information about Neste visit: https://www.neste.us/about-neste