The 1.5 hour tour will appeal to any Algae Biomass Summit attendee with an interest in the latest in laboratory operations. Attendees will be exposed to several techniques and technologies supporting food and dietary supplement testing that are crucial for new product development and commercial production.
Algae and seaweed producers and researchers will be able to view a state of the art sample processing system, stability program management, incubation facilities, testing laboratories for vitamins, nutrients, contaminants and specialty testing as well as technological and automated solutions for testing capabilities.
Laboratory directors will be on hand to answer questions and describe the facility’s operations. Tour participants will also be able to learn more about how ABO members can take advantage of testing discounts offered by Eurofins Craft Technologies.
The tour is only available to registered Summit attendees, and seating will be limited. Sack lunch and beverages will be provided.
Personal protective equipment (lab coats, safety eyeward, etc.) will be provided. No open toed shoes will be permitted on the tour. Clothing that covers legs down to the shoes is preferred, but not required.
Discussions in Washington, DC are underway for a new 5-year authorization of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that guides U.S. policy and support for agriculture nationwide. This latest version of the legislation presents opportunities for targeted investments and reforms that scale up climate smart agriculture that can mitigate climate and biodiversity challenges. It has great potential to aid algae and seaweed based agriculture.
The Algae Biomass Organization coordinated a number of valuable provisions in the previous Farm Bill, and is closely monitoring negotiations and proposals that can benefit our members this time around. Members involved in growing and harvesting algae and seaweeds, as well as using algae technologies to support agriculture activities in water treatment services, carbon management, bioproduct development and more should all be aware of how the Farm Bill can better position their activities.
Over the past several months, members of Congress have been submitting proposals to be included in the overall Farm Bill. Some of the key initiatives under discussion include:
Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act
This act introduced for inclusion in the new Farm Bill, known as a marker bill, from Senator Ron Wyden (OR), and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR) builds on a 2018 Farm Bill pilot program. It would secure funding for research, demonstration and adoption of innovations in farming practices that build crop resilience and enhance soil carbon. It would also provide research funding for the development of technologies and systems for measuring soil organic carbon levels before and after these practices. (data needed).
Opportunities for algae: Those that sell biomass that improves soil health and captures carbon could find opportunities for funding deployment, but only if the final legislation allows for algae and seaweed applications.
Advanced Cutting Edge Agriculture Act
The Advancing Cutting Edge Agriculture Act (ACE Ag), a marker bill from Senator Michael Bennet Marshall (CO) and Congressmen Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Randy Feenstra (IA-4) would reauthorize and expand the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA). This program focuses on supporting an advanced research program within USDA, much like the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E)
Opportunities for algae: This initiative could support $50-$100 million for programs that improve soil health, organic matter and microbial activity, and possibly agricultural emissions reductions. The bill calls for an expanded research focus to include water conservation, greenhouse gas emissions and extreme weather resilience.
COVER Act
This marker led by Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) would provide farmers who plant cover crops with a savings of $5 per acre off of their crop insurance bills.
Opportunities for algae: This would strengthen the federal crop insurance program, which was amended to include algae in the previous Farm Bill, by offering voluntary financial incentives to farmers that use these risk reducing practices.
Members of these advisory committees will be working with government relations representatives, a number of national coalitions, and directly with Congressional offices to make sure that the full potential of algae and seaweed to support agriculture is recognized in the next Farm Bill. Join the algae agriculture advisory committee! For questions or if you want to join this advisory committee, reach out to ABO’s interim executive director Jon Kallen at jkallen@algaebiomass.org.
Dr. Martin Gross, the CEO and co-founder of Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT), recently concluded his term as Chair of the Algae Biomass Organization’s (ABO) Board of Directors. This latest leadership role is a testament to the power of the connections and opportunities that the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) offers to its members. Dr. Gross’ journey from a student-level ABO membership to a successful business leader began at the 2013 Algae Biomass Summit, where he showcased his research as a Ph.D. student at Iowa State University.
At that event, Dr. Gross not only discovered a global community of researchers working on complementary topics in algae and seaweed science but also encountered a diverse group of entrepreneurs, executives from Fortune 500 companies, and federal agency experts. All these individuals were united by a common goal: to transform scientific progress into viable solutions that also have extraordinary environmental benefits.
As subsequent Summits unfolded, Dr. Gross’s connections within the ABO community continued to grow. One of the defining moments came when he met Dr. Kuldip Kumar of MWRD Chicago in the exhibit hall. Their discussion sparked the idea of using Dr. Gross’s research innovation for the treatment of wastewater. Leveraging his newly expanding network and expertise, Dr. Gross founded Gross-Wen Technologies and, with the support of Dr. Kumar, successfully deployed a proof-of-concept demonstration at MWRD Chicago.
The impact of this demonstration was profound; it provided GWT with the validation needed to showcase their capabilities to potential clients. Dr. Gross attributes much of GWT’s subsequent success in the wastewater treatment industry to the connections he made within the ABO community.
“It’s hard to believe this all started with a friendly chat at an Algae Biomass Summit,” he says. “But I see now how that sort of thing can lead to big things. You never know where a new connection can lead.”
GWT utilizes cutting-edge technology developed in Iowa State University laboratories to treat wastewater using algae. The result is a clean water stream and a valuable crop of algae biomass that can be marketed for various applications, such as soil-enhancing fertilizers, biofuels and more.
Today, GWT stands tall as a market leader in the wastewater treatment industry, with 35 demonstrations and full-scale installations of their technology in operation. The company has raised an impressive $13.1 million in venture capital and employs more than 20 dedicated professionals. Dr. Gross’s vision and hard work, combined with the support and expertise of the ABO community, have driven GWT’s innovation and growth in this challenging field.
“It was also a lot of work and we had a lot of support from investors, partners and colleagues,” he notes. “But the foothold I gained and the expertise from the ABO community were, and continue to be, invaluable.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Gross extends an open invitation to anyone with an interest in algae and seaweed solutions for global challenges to connect with the ABO. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs, scientists, and business leaders to explore ABO membership and to participate in the upcoming 2023 Algae Biomass Summit in Madison, Wisconsin, scheduled from October 9th to 11th.
As the story of Dr. Martin Gross exemplifies, ABO offers not only access to a wide range of experts in algae and seaweed science but also opportunities for aspiring visionaries to transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses with profound environmental benefits. Learn more how ABO can play a role in your own journey in the world of algae and seaweed. Reach out to ABO executive director Jon Kallen at jkallen@algaebiomass.org.
October 11, 2023, 12:15-4:00 pm Buses depart from the Monona Terrace Convention Center $150 for ABO members, $175 for non-members.
Attendees of the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit will have the option of seeing some of the latest algae wastewater treatment technologies from ABO member CLEARAS in action. Participants will tour the EcoRecover systems at the wastewater treatment plant for the city of Waupun, Wisconsin.
The CLEARAS EcoRecover is an advanced wastewater nutrient recovery system that delivers clean water for reuse or discharge, decarbonizes client operations, and provides a method of plant-based material generation for eco-friendly product development. The Waupun EcoRecover facility is the largest such facility to date, processing 2.14 million gallons per day and designed to recover over 60 pounds of phosphorus, 480 pounds of ammonia and sequester over 6,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per day. For every 1 pound of algae biomass produced, 2.2 pounds of carbon dioxide are sequestered.
During this 3 hour walking tour, participants will see all four phases of the EcoRecover process: mixing, recovery, separating and harvesting. At each phase participants will have the opportunity to view a detailed process flow and put questions to facility operators. EcoRecover is built using state of the art equipment and leverages a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system (known as AIMS) to manage the relationship between biological and mechanical processes and maximize performance.
This tour will offer a rare opportunity to see these technologies first-hand. EcoRecover is a breakthrough in biomimicry, which is the practice of learning from and mimicking strategies found in nature to solve human, industrial challenges.
The tour is only available to registered Summit attendees, and seating will be limited. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Mike Lamont of Heliae Development Elected Board Chair; Dan Brouman of Eurofins Scientific and Jean-Paul Cadoret of Algama Foods Join Board
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the US based non-profit trade organization for the algae and seaweed industries, has a new Chair and two new directors that will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to further advance algae and seaweed solutions. Following a board election, Mike Lamont, Chief Technical Officer of Heliae Development LLC, has been voted as the new Board Chair of the organization. Additionally Dan Brouman, General Manager at Eurofins Scientific, and Jean-Paul Cadoret, CSO of AlgamaFoods, were voted in as new members of the ABO board.
ABO’s board guides the organization in its mission to promote the development of renewable and sustainable products from algae and seaweed, as well as the development of viable commercial markets for both. ABO supports people, companies, and organizations that are responsible for research, development, and commercial activities across the value chain. ABO also educates the general public, policymakers and industry about the benefits of algae and seaweed in commercial and scientific applications, and is the host of the annual Algae Biomass Summit, the largest gathering of algae and seaweed professionals.
Mike Lamont and Heliae: Leading the Way in Algae Innovation
As the newly elected Board Chair of ABO, Mike Lamont assumes a pivotal role in driving the organization’s efforts forward. Currently serving as the Chief Technical Officer at Heliae Development LLC, Lamont has been instrumental in advancing the field of microalgae-based biological agriculture. With over 25 years of research and production experience, Lamont brings cross-functional expertise and a dedication to environmental engineering to ABO’s leadership.
Dan Brouman and Eurofins Scientific: Advanced Testing Services for Algae Applications
Dan Brouman, General Manager at Eurofins Scientific, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in food safety and nutritional testing to the ABO board. At Eurofins Scientific, Brouman oversees multiple business units relating to food safety and nutritional testing with a strong focus on phytochemicals and carotenoids. Eurofins is currently offering ABO members deep discounts on a wide range of testing services.
Jean-Paul Cadoret: A Pioneer in Marine Biotechnology
Also joining the ABO board is Dr. Jean-Paul Cadoret, CSO of AlgamaFoods and former President of the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA). With a remarkable career spanning 35 years in research and industry, Cadoret has been at the forefront of innovation in algae and marine biotechnology.
Several other board members were re-elected to new terms:
Martin Gross – President/Co-Founder, Gross-Wen Technologies
David Hazlebeck – CEO/Founder, Global Algae Innovations
