Category: Press

Visual display shows depth and breadth of algae-related industries across the US and globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 16, 2012 – A new map of the algae industry published online by the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) shows algae production facilities and research projects stretching from coast to coast, illustrating a nationwide opportunity for a new and growing industry that is moving to supply the U.S. with algae-derived renewable fuels, feeds, fertilizers, chemicals and other products. The new map was revealed today at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. and is available at: https://algaebiomass.org/algae-industry-map/

“When you see a visual display like this you get a real feel for how far reaching is today’s algae industry. Algae entrepreneurs, researchers, companies and projects come from every corner of the United States,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the ABO. “Our members are proving algae can produce a wide variety of products, grow in wide range of climates, and provide economic benefits to rural and urban areas without harmful impacts on our land or fresh water.”

The algae industry map shows the locations of algae-related companies, research institutions, national laboratories, demonstration and commercial projects and other efforts undertaken by ABO members and non-members alike. ABO will continually update the map as new companies, projects and research are unveiled.

A recent ABO survey of more than 470 algae industry contacts shows that 67 percent of algae producers said they plan to expand capacity in 2013, and more than 95 percent of producers believe it that algae-based fuels may be able to compete with fossil fuels as soon as 2020. The results are similar to expansion and price expectations reported in the same survey conducted last year.

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing our world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, b

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 16, 2012 – The  Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, applauded yesterday’s announcement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend its partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop viable aviation biofuels.

The new agreement will follow on the successful 2010-2012 “Farm to Fuels” initiative to accelerate the biofuel industry in the U.S. to improve domestic energy security and economic development.

“Algae farmed right here in America are among the crops that can produce biofuels that meet the needs of the aviation industry and provide the US with the economic benefits that come with domestic production,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “With the first large-scale algae production facilities coming online and the successful testing of algae biofuels in military and commercial aircraft, it’s clear that continued research and investment can pay big dividends. The commitment of agencies like the USDA and FAA will build on that success and accelerate the development of new and renewable sources of fuel.”

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing our world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans without significant impacts on valuable agricultural land or fresh water. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Washington, DC—March 18, 2013—Today the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, applauded President Obama’s announcement for an energy security trust that would accelerate America’s development of technologies that can deliver cleaner, domestically produced energy and fuels.

“The Algae Biomass Organization supports the President’s proposal to invest in the breakthroughs that will accelerate the development of advanced biofuels and other clean transportation technologies,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization “ABO’s members are making those breakthroughs a commercial reality. Algae based biofuels can be produced with minimal impacts on land, don’t require fresh water, and most importantly can be made right here in America. The algae industry is looking forward to being a major participant in America’s energy security. ”

Algae is a unique biofuel feedstock that can simultaneously be refined into vehicle fuels, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans without harmful impacts on freshwater supplies or valuable agricultural land. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 6, 2012 – A new survey of the algae industry conducted by theAlgae Biomass Organization (ABO) shows the industry expects increasing production in 2013 and price-competitiveness with fossil fuels by 2020.  The survey also noted the critical role of supportive Federal policy required in order to accelerate hiring and production.  The survey was conducted in January 2013 and includes responses from companies involved in directly producing and buying algae or algae-derived products, as well as equipment manufacturers, research laboratories, providers of equipment or materials, government agencies and service providers.

The survey of more than 470 algae industry contacts shows a sector that continues to grow: 67 percent of algae producers said they plan to expand capacity in 2013 as they work to provide the U.S with new sources of sustainable, domestically produced fuels and other algae-derived products.

Survey respondents remain positive about the prospects for cost-competitive algae fuels, reporting expectations similar to those in ABO’s 2012 survey. More than 90 percent overall (and 95 percent of producers) believe it is at least somewhat likely that algae-based fuels will be able to compete with fossil fuels by 2020; nearly 70% overall (75% of producers) believe it is moderately likely to extremely likely. Nearly 40% of producers project that algae-derived fuels will be priced at $5.00 per gallon or less by 2020. About 23% believe prices will be less than $3.00 per gallon by 2020.

The strong potential for algae to provide a diverse range of products other than fuels came through in response to a question about which algal products are being produced. While 28% of producers indicated they are targeting fuels markets, there are many that also use algae to produce feeds (35%), nutritional products or nutraceuticals (28%) and fertilizers (18%).

Producers were strongly in favor of better federal policy support for the algae industry. Almost nine out of 10 of employers in the ABO Industry Survey said that better policy would likely lead their organizations to accelerate hiring. Half of them were “very” or “extremely” confident they could accelerate hiring with better federal policy support.

“After another year of impressive industry progress and scientific breakthroughs these results reflect continued optimism about the future of algae as a viable source of sustainable fuels and other products,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “The positive outlook in the results of this survey was undoubtedly influenced by passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that, for the first time, allows algae derived fuels to qualify for a $1.01 per gallon tax credit.”

Other key findings of the survey included:

• The algae industry supports a wide variety of jobs across the United States. Respondents reported holding all types of positions in their organizations including executives, scientists and researchers, operations or production positions, finance, students and professors.
• Congressional engagement is high—65 percent of respondents’ organizations either have met with or plan to meet with legislators, and more than half of ABO members reported having elected officials tour their facilities.

• To build a robust industry, the most important areas for federal policies were identified as research and development grants, commercialization grants and tax credits/incentives.

An executive summary of the survey’s results is available at:
https://algaebiomass.org/resource-center/references/industry-statistics/

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing our world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.

Abstracts now being accepted for world’s largest gathering of algae industry producers, entrepreneurs, partners and researchers

MINNEAPOLIS—(February 15, 2013)—The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, announced today that the 7^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit will take place September 30^th through October 3^rd at the Hilton Orlando in Orlando, Florida. ABO chose Orlando for the world’s largest annual gathering of algae industry and research experts due to the presence of leading algae companies in the state, and for the potential of the southeast United States to become a center of commercial algae production.

ABO is currently accepting proposals and abstracts for speaking and poster opportunities at the Summit. Due to the large number of abstracts received last year the Summit’s review committee will give priority to those proposals received before April 3^rd. More information on presentations and potential topics, and how to submit a proposal, is available at http://algaebiomasssummit.org.

“The Algae Biomass Summit has become the go-to place to reveal the latest scientific advances and commercialization milestones from a growing community of researchers and entrepreneurs that are using algae to make sustainable fuels, feed, chemicals and so many other products,” said Mary Rosenthal, the organization’s executive director. “The leaders of our industry will be discussing their progress, and looking for the next big advances.”

Speakers and attendees at the Algae Biomass Summit will include national and international technologists, producers, scientists, investors, and policy makers. During the course of the event, leaders and attendees will discuss issues of critical importance to the emerging algae industry, including the commercial development of algal production, current government and private initiatives, evolving technologies, processing concepts, life cycle analysis and project finance.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.