Gainsville, Fla. — Many scientists see great promise in algae as a new source of oil — a sustainable, environmentally sound way to break the world’s fossil fuel dependence. Algal lipids from microalgae are one of the best sources for biofuels — algae grow quickly, tolerate extreme weather conditions, and do not pose the same issues as biofuel crops that are grown both for fuel and food. Continue Reading →
Joule Announces Leadership Changes
Bedford, MA – August, 2013 – Joule, the leader in direct CO2-to-fuels solar conversion technology, today announced changes in executive leadership. After four years of leading Joule’s early development as CEO, William J. Sims will step out of his management role but will remain a member of the company’s board. Noubar Afeyan, co-founder and Chairman, is assuming the role of interim-CEO while Paul Snaith, who joined the company in 2012, will be promoted to President and COO of Joule. Continue Reading →
Algenbasierte Kraftstoffe für die Luftfahrt
Das Verbundprojekt AUFWIND untersucht Wege zur Algenproduktion und Umwandlung in Flugzeugtreibstoffe – im Fokus steht neben der technischen Umsetzung vor allem eine wirtschaftliche und nachhaltige Produktion von Biokerosin. Fraunhofer UMSICHT ist mit seinen analytischen Kompetenzen im Bereich der Algenextraktion am Projekt beteiligt. Continue Reading →
Algae Int’l Group and Gulf Hydrocarbon sign distribution contract
Algae International Group Inc. and Gulf Hydrocarbon Inc. have signed an agreement for Gulf Hydrocarbon to exclusively represent Algae International Group in sales and distribution of its proprietary and nonproprietary algal oils and products created with the algal oils. The exclusive representation agreement takes effect immediately and is a precursor to Algae International Group’s commercial production of algal oils from its pilot facility located in Tulare, Calif. Continue Reading →
Aurora Algae to Evaluate Potential of Mid West Australia for Commercial Microalgae Production
Hayward, Calif. & Geraldton, Australia — August 13, 2013 — In collaboration with Durack Institute of Technology, Aurora Algae has completed construction of a new algae cultivation test site in Geraldton, Western Australia, to evaluate the potential of the Mid West region for the production of microalgae. Continue Reading →
LanzaTech Partners with India’s Centre for Advanced Bio Energy Research to Directly Produce Low Carbon Fuels from Waste
Roselle, IL – LanzaTech, a producer of low-carbon fuels and chemicals from waste gases, has partnered with the Centre for Advanced Bio-Energy, a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation, Ltd. (IOC) and the Indian government’s Department for Biotechnology (DBT), to create a novel process for the direct production of low carbon fuels from industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This unique application of LanzaTech’s gas fermentation technology will enable a new supply of biofuels, creating economic growth and reducing CO2 emissions across India. Continue Reading →
Venture capital for the Biotech Branch – Microalgae forging ahead?
GUEST POST by THOMAS WENCKER
Within issue 31/32 dated August, 02. 2013, the German Engineers Society (VDI) newspaper published an interesting article about the increasing amount of venture capital (VC) for financing innovative companies. Not more than one percent of the submitted proposals for VC are successful. Besides other innovative branches, biotech companies by percentage generally get the highest amounts of funding money. Latest experiences in fact show, that companies from the microalgae biotechnology have to fight a lot for chances of being noted in VC-financing issues. Continue Reading →
Solazyme’s Algal Protein Launches as Key Ingredient in Veggie Protein Powder
South San Francisco, CA – August 6, 2013 – Solazyme, Inc., producer of microalgae food ingredients, and Twinlab Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of high quality, science-based, nutritional supplements, announced today the launch of Twinlab’s CleanSeries Veggie Protein Powder featuring Solazyme’s breakthrough algal protein ingredient. Continue Reading →
Genetic Engineering: A New Use for Algae in Biofuel Production
In recent years, major companies from all over the globe, including Exxon Mobile and Itochu Corporation, have merged with research facilities to research algae as a renewable energy source; however, it has been determined that far more research is needed before movement to the commercial production phase of algae biofuel can truly take place. A recent research study published in Phycologia took up this challenge and examined a promising freshwater algal strain for possible genetic engineering applications that could make it a viable biofuel. Continue Reading →
Fuji Chemicals to build new natural astaxanthin plant in US
Fuji Chemical Industry, AstaReal Technologies Inc., Grant County, and the City of Moses Lake jointly announced that AstaReal Technologies Inc. will build a microalgae base biotechnological manufacturing plant for the production of natural astaxanthin in Moses Lake, Washington. During the initial construction phase, $30 million will be invested and 45 permanent local jobs will be created. Fuji established its manufacturing subsidiary, AstaReal Technologies, Inc., in order to expand its astaxanthin business in the United States. Continue Reading →