CIRCALGAE

The EU-funded Horizon Europe project CIRCALGAE aims to develop sustainable algae-based biorefineries and products supporting the health of aquatic ecosystems for a healthy planet and people. In this way, 21 partners work to valorise industrial algae waste streams into high-value products to foster future sustainable blue biorefineries in Europe.

By developing a new green biorefinery concept, the project aims to extract ingredients with health and functional benefits to produce new high added value products with a neutral environmental impact. These products are intended for food ingredients, protein rich feed and cosmetic formulations.

The cultivation of algae will be optimized, in particular thanks to new parameters that will make it possible to extract ingredients with the greatest possible benefit.

In order to integrate a viable economic model, the project involves consumers and professionals through working groups, surveys and tests.

While the European Union has set targets to reduce pressure on natural resources, while creating growth, jobs and carbon neutrality, CIRCALGAE is making a contribution in the algae sector.

Why valorise algae waste streams?

Algal biomass is massively produced (over 36Mt/year worldwide) but at the same time underexploited. Vast amount of waste is generated by the algal industries (up to 95% of the initial biomass in some cases). Through a cascade biorefinery approach this waste material can be transformed into high-value products.

The project started in October 2022, it will last 4 years and gathers 21 partners from 11 different European countries:

KTH Royal Institute of Techology (SE) – project coordinator, A4F Algafuel SA (PT), Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Technology (IATA) (ES), Alginor ASA (NO), AQUIMER (FR), Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant ZVW (BE), Ceamsa (ES), CEVA (FR), CIVITTA (EE),  Hispanagar (ES), IGV GmbH (DE), Moreforsking (NO), Nordic SeaFarm (SE), Nutrition Sciences N.V. (BE), RNB (ES), Roquette Klötze GmbH & Co. KG (DE), SAFE – Safe Food Advocacy Europe (BE), SALATA AG (DE), Saponia (HR), Teagasc – The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE), ZETO (IS)

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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Innovation Actions under Grant Agreement No. 101060607.  
 
For more information, check out the project webpage on the European Commission website