Category: Blog

Big news from Arizona-based Heliae, a developer of a platform technology that uses sunlight and low-cost carbon feedstocks to produce high-value products from algae. Based in Gilbert, Ariz., Heliae is leveraging its core production technology into four target markets: personal care, nutrition, therapeutics, and agrosciences.

Yesterday, they announced a partnership with Japan-based Sincere Corporation, a waste management and recycling company, to form a joint venture and develop a commercial algae production facility in Saga City, Japan. The venture will combine Sincere Corporation’s operational skill, distribution networks and knowledge of the Japanese market with Heliae’s proprietary algae production technology to supply natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with broad health benefits, to the growing health and wellness market in the region.

This is yet another example of two trends we’re seeing take greater hold in the algae industry: the production of valuable commodities other than fuel and an increasing willingness of international corporations and governments to invest in algae technology.

Both developments reinforce the promise of algae to help address a growing problem – access to food and human health products at a time when climate change is impacting our ability to grow crops and when fresh water sources are growing more scarce.

Heliae’s success is a welcome sign that algae technology can be a long term solution for our nation’s (and others!) food, agriculture and health markets.

We have just posted the preliminary agenda for the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit! Check out the sessions and speakers taking shape for the largest algae conference in the world!

Keep an eye open for exciting updates in the weeks to come. We are in the process of confirming major keynote speakers and tours of nearby algae facilities.

The early bird rates expire soon, so register today!

ABO’s new executive director Matt Carr chimed in on the Summit in today’s press release:

“Algae is attracting more attention than ever because we are seeing new production facilities come on line and a growing array of algae-derived products, including biofuels, being offered to consumers,” said Matt Carr, executive director of ABO. “Our meeting in San Diego will highlight the tremendous progress that algae entrepreneurs, researchers and investors have made around the globe. We expect announcements about new breakthroughs and deals in everything from algae fuel, fertilizers, fish and animal feeds, and the role algae can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Cellana, Inc., an Algae Biomass Organization member and sponsor of the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit, has made important progress this week toward commercializing algae production.

Cellana has entered into a letter of intent with Galil Algae Cooperative Agricultural Society Limited with the main goal to identify, cultivate, develop, and scale up algae strains with immediate commercial value, emphasizing the high-value components for existing aquaculture, mariculture, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic applications.

Cellana and Galil Algae may also explore the establishment of a new algae research and development center in northern Israel.

Read more about Cellana and Galil Algae’s letter of intent here.

Yet another step forward for the algae industry!

By Margaret McCormick, PhD, Algae Biomass Organization Board Chair

I am pleased to announce that the Algae Biomass Organization is welcoming its new executive director, Matt Carr, PhD. As we accelerate our industry into the commercialization of fuels, feeds, chemicals and other products that can be sustainably made with algae, we are indeed fortunate to have found an executive director who brings a strong foundation of sector knowledge, policy experience and organizational skills to the table.

Matt has more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy and technology development. Most previously he was Managing Director of the Industrial and Environmental section at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the US and more than 30 other nations.

The Board of Directors is impressed with his deep understanding of the challenges facing the biotechnology community, and what it takes to develop new products and technologies derived from renewable sources.

His ability to develop strong relationships with member companies, understand and articulate their business challenges, as well as his expertise in the issues facing the algae industry make Matt the perfect fit for ABO.

Matt’s appointment is a milestone in ABO’s effort to place a new focus on regulatory and market challenges at a time of rapid growth in the industry. Increasing numbers of companies are manufacturing an incredible range of sustainable products from algae. Technical breakthroughs are increasing in frequency, and the potential impact on economic and energy security is becoming more apparent.

It is more vital than ever for ABO to be the leading voice for algae and this new generation of products.

Among the challenges: We need to make sure the EPA clarifies that growing algae with carbon dioxide is an approved strategy for meeting CO₂ emissions reduction goals.

We need renewable energy to be recognized in Master Limited Partnerships, so that a new wave of private investments in algae can be unleashed.

Oil and gas industries have benefited from decades of stable federal subsidies – algae just needs a level playing field.

Continued research and development paired with sensible financing options are what will help this industry reach its full potential—providing jobs in every state, fighting climate change, protecting freshwater supplies, and new consumer products that can make all our lives better.

As ABO members already know, Matt has a good base to work with. We have a new Congressional Algae Caucus, we are building new commercial facilities, and algae-derived products are hitting the market. But there is much, much more to come.

This is a great – and important – time in history to be in this industry.

With Matt leading our efforts, the initiatives I’ve listed here are just the beginning. Look forward to hearing from him in the coming weeks, and please join me in welcoming him to the ABO!

Sincerely,

Margaret McCormick, PhD
Board Chair

The above post was featured in Algae InSight, ABO’s monthly newsletter. Sign up for our monthly newsletters here to stay updated on the latest algae industry news.

Today the Algae Biomass Organization welcomed Matt Carr, Ph.D. as the organization’s new executive director.

As we accelerate the commercialization of fuels, feeds, chemicals and other products that can be sustainably made with algae, ABO is fortunate to have found an executive director who brings a strong foundation of sector knowledge, policy experience and organizational skills to the table.

Matt has more than a decade of experience in policy advocacy and technology development. Most previously he was Managing Director of the Industrial and Environmental section at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the US and more than 30 other nations.

This experience gives Matt a deep understanding of the challenges facing the biotechnology community, and what it takes to develop new products and technologies derived from renewable sources.

Matt’s appointment is a milestone in ABO’s effort to place a new focus on regulatory and market challenges at a time of rapid growth in the industry. Increasing numbers of companies are manufacturing an incredible range of sustainable products from algae. Technical breakthroughs are increasing in frequency, and the potential impact on economic and energy security is becoming more apparent.

You can read more about Matt in his bio, and in today’s press release.