UK university explores versatility of algae as biofeedstock

Project leader Professor Pat Harvey, Head of Bioenergy Research at the university's Faculty of Engineering and Science, explains: "The race is on to develop a broader spectrum of compounds from algae, which can be turned into high-value products including food and medicines.

"If we can make algae biorefineries commercially viable, we will have developed a new industry founded on an environmentally kind raw material that is also sustainable," says Harvey. "The potential is huge."

The research brings together 13 research institutions and businesses from eight countries, including world-leading experts in the biochemistry of Dunaliella, in large-scale cultivation of microalgae using novel harvesting technologies and bioprocessing development.

Plans include the largest commercial cultivation of these single-cell organisms in water raceways, lakes, and photobioreactors. The Dunaliella algae has been chosen because it produces a wide range of compounds, appropriate for the biorefinery concept, which aims to use every element of a biomass.

The project hopes to demonstrate the business case for global investment in algae biorefineries, and in large-scale production of microalgae, within three years in order to raise investment for the first prototype D-Factory in Europe.

The D-Factory, or CO₂ algae biorefinery, is a four-year collaborative project with funding from the European Union's FP7 Cooperation Work Programme.

The 13 D-Factory partners include the following universities, research centers, and small and medium size businesses: