Category: Blog

The first plenary sessions that will kick off the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit have been set. This year the main stage programming will include deep dives into the importance of algae and seaweed in our everyday lives, the use of algae in sustainable aviation fuel, applications for algae & seaweed in regenerative agriculture, and startup financing. 

The Algae Biomass Summit will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, Oct 9-11. In addition to these opening sessions the Summit will also feature dozens of technical sessions, career development sessions and networking events. Early bird rates expire August 1st, and the planning committee is still considering abstract submissions for speaking and poster presentations.

The opening session of the 2023 Summit will be: 

Funding for Algae and Seaweed Ventures (optional session) – Sunday, October 8th

Presented by UHY, Inc.

During this pre-Summit session, staff from UHY, Inc. Capital Markets group will provide participants an overview of key considerations in raising external funding to support company capitalization efforts. Participants will hear first-hand lessons learned from algae companies in various stages of capitalization. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with leading venture capital and public investment funds.

Algae for Sustainable Aviation Fuels – Monday October 9th . (9 – 10:15 AM)

Sustainable aviation fuels are finding unprecedented support in policy, as well as investments in Europe and the United States. During this moderator-led panelist session, participants will hear from algae companies in the SAF space, as well as Department of Energy representatives funding these initiatives.

Algae. Every. Day. – Monday October 9th (11:30 – 12:45 PM)

Algae and seaweed are making inroads into virtually every market and product segment. People are often surprised that some of these products have been available for decades, with exciting new applications making headlines every week. During this moderator-led panelist session, participants will hear from various algae companies on their commercialization and go to market efforts to use algae and seaweeds in foods, soil treatments, wastewater treatments, biomaterials and more. 

Winners of the Algae Prize– Tuesday October 10th (8:45 – 9:45 AM)

During this session, participants will have the opportunity to hear from the finalists for the Algae Foundation’s Algae Prize. This competition is sponsored by  U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and encourages students to pursue innovative ideas for the development, design, and invention of technologies within the commercial algae value chain. 

Algae in Agriculture – Tuesday October 10th (3:30 -4:45 PM)

The U.S. Congress is debating a new Farm Bill in 2023, which will set federal agriculture policy and funding for the next five years. With a variety of new applications finding customers, it is clear that opportunities for algae and seaweed are being determined now. During this moderator-led panelist session, participants will hear from various algae companies and sustainability consultants in their efforts to use algae in agriculture to improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions and improve overall carbon scoring and sustainability throughout the entire production chain.

Special Breakout: Federal Agency Funding and Research – schedule TBD

Hundreds of millions of dollars have supported algae and seaweed research, thanks to bipartisan support in Congress and through the work of ABO-led coalitions. This dedicated break out session will feature key representatives from the Departments of Energy and Agriculture to discuss their agencies funding priorities for algae based research.

The Algae Biomass Organization is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Algae Industry Awards. These awards recognize the organizations and individuals that have made exceptional efforts and progress in scientific advances and commercial progress related to algae and seaweed. The winners will be announced at the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit in Madison, Wisconsin, Oct 9-11. 

Read about last year’s recipients on the ABO website.

The 2023 Algae Industry Awards will recognize excellence in the following areas:

• Project of the Year Award – To recognize a scientific or commercial project of particular importance for the progress of algae and/or seaweed solutions.
• Product of the Year Award – In recognition of a high impact algae product that made significant contributions to the visibility or progress of the algae industry within the last year.
• Unsung Hero Award – For unheralded dedication and career contributions to the growth of the algae industry.
• Champion of Algae Award – For exceptional contributions to growing the algae industry through professional service.

For consideration, please submit the nomination form no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on July 14, 2023.

Nominees may be contacted for additional information. Nominations are reviewed by the ABO Board of Directors Executive Committee, who select a proposed winner for each award, and award selections are ratified by ABO’s Board of Directors.

ABO members are invited to participate in three new member advisory committees that will help set ABO priorities and policy action in the areas of sustainable aviation fuel, the sustainable and carbon neutral treatment of wastewater, the development of low carbon feed and food, and the use of algae in regenerative agriculture.

The new committees reflect the growing interest in ABO’s role as a cohesive voice for high profile advocacy for federal legislation and funding opportunities and market development for the algae and seaweed industries. 

During the first three months of 2023 ABO has recruited over 10 new members presenting various algae sectors, including agriculture, academia, wastewater treatment, sustainability and carbon consulting, regenerative agriculture, and food & feed. Our organization has renewed momentum as algae is at the forefront of the development of solutions for each of these markets.

The three new member Advisory Committees are: 

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Advisory Committee – with the announcement of the SAF Grand Challenge and U.S. airlines’ commitment to sustainability by 2050 and related tax credits, there is great momentum for algae and seaweeds as a SAF feedstock. Members of this committee will help set ABO’s efforts to accelerate the opportunity for algae and seaweeds. 

Water Treatment and Environmental Services Advisory Committee – there is a movement in the water and wastewater and related environmental services space to develop energy-efficient, sustainable and carbon-neutral treatment. Members of this committee will be asked to deepen our connections in water treatment networks, and develop ABO’s communications on the potential for algae in these markets. 

Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Capture Advisory Committee – there is an increased focus in agriculture to improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions (from inputs) and improve overall carbon scoring and sustainability throughout the entire production chain. Members of this committee will shape ABO’s policy priorities in the Farm Bill and other legislation, as well as advocate for the implementation of algae & seaweed solutions in agriculture and carbon capture. 

These committees will meet at least quarterly (virtually) to highlight ABO members’ current efforts, develop policy/strategy and direct ABO advocacy efforts. 

If you and your member company or organization would like to participate in these advisory committees as both a member and or chairperson, please contact ABO’s Interim Executive Director Jon Kallen at jkallen@algaebiomass.org

This month the Algae Biomass Organization welcomes CLEARAS Solutions as our latest Silver-level member. CLEARAS is a Montana-based company that specializes in using algae to recover nutrients, sequester carbon dioxide and generate plant-based material for reliable bioproducts that can replace traditional, fossil fuel based supply chains. The company has participated in over $50 million of projects in the last three years and currently has systems operating in several locations including Montana, Utah, and Wisconsin. The company has worked with a variety of clients, including municipalities, food and beverage producers, auto manufacturers, pulp and paper mills and agricultural operations. 

Wastewater Resource Recovery as a Service

CLEARAS is pioneering a delivery model that allows clients to streamline how they take advantage of the sustainability and carbon management benefits of the technology. These advantages could include new revenue streams from the bioproducts generated, carbon credits, or performance improvements that come from using plant-based feedstocks.  

By operationalizing “resource recovery as a service” CLEARAS is finding that their partnerships can be designed to more efficiently take advantage of tax incentives, deliver on real carbon sequestration, and provide the budget predictability of a long-term service agreement. 

Integrating Algae Into Net Zero Initiatives

CLEARAS’ solution is especially appealing for industrial and municipal clients advancing Net Zero or ESG initiatives aimed at decarbonization and wastewater resource recovery. These kinds of initiatives are successful when the results are real, and when the strategies used can meet bottom line business needs. CLEARAS’ technology first starts to meet these bottom-line requirements by minimizing energy consumption, eliminating the use of harsh chemicals in water treatment, and reducing costs. The result is a water treatment option that virtually any municipality or industrial partner will find attractive. 

Yet the business case is amplified by the environmental and sustainability benefits that come with producing biomaterials that can replace fossil fuels or decarbonization strategies for a firm that needs to offset emissions in its own operations (Scope 1), or somewhere downstream in the supply chain (Scope 3). As more firms seek real sustainability results, the EcoRecover solution will continue to rise to the top. 

Attendees of the 2023 Algae Biomass Summit will have a unique opportunity to see CLEARAS’ approach firsthand. The Summit will be offering an exclusive tour of the company’s facility in Waupun, Wisconsin. The finished project features a 35,000 sq ft greenhouse and a 300,000 gallon mix tank. It will be able to produce up to 3,000lbs of dry biomaterial per day, which can translate into thousands of dollars in market value. Sign up for the Summit to get an invitation. 

For more information check out CLEARAS’s website for call their cofounder Kevin McGraw at  406-381-3422. 

Welcome CLEARAS Solutions!

ABO members are now eligible for exclusive discounts of up to 30% on a wide range of testing needs from Eurofins Craft Technologies. Eurofins is a global leader in laboratory-grade testing and can meet the needs of nearly any algae and seaweed research or commercial application. With the highest commitments to scientific standards, quality and service, Eurfins’ offering will be hard to ignore. 

Eurofins Craft Technologies is offering this exclusive benefit to all ABO remembers, regardless of membership level. ABO members can login to our new membership portal below to view discounts by type, ranging from standard, everyday testing all the way to pure method development.

Note: If this is the first time you are logging in to our new member portal you may have to reset your password with the “forgot password” feature.