Algae Biofuels

Solazyme Announces U.S. Commercial Production of Renewable Algal Oils at Iowa Facilities

2014-01-30T20:05:00.001-05:00

Solazyme, Inc. announced today that commercial operations have commenced at both Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)’s Clinton, Iowa facility, and the downstream companion facility operated by American Natural Products in Galva, Iowa (ANP). Highlighting the flexibility of Solazyme’s technology platform, Solazyme, ADM and ANP have successfully manufactured three distinct and unique Tailored oil products at the facilities, and products are currently being sold and distributed in both the U.S. and Brazil. Volumes shipped to Brazil are being utilized for market development activity in advance of the opening of the Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils Moema facility. As stated previously, production at the ADM and ANP facilities is expected to ramp to a nameplate capacity of 20,000 MT/yr within 12-18 months, with targeted potential expansion to 100,000 MT/yr in subsequent years.

“This is a critical milestone for Solazyme’s large scale commercial manufacturing capabilities. The Solazyme, ADM and ANP teams have done an excellent job bringing up commercial operations at the Iowa facilities with Solazyme’s Tailored oil production technology. We have already successfully produced three Tailored oil products at scale and have begun selling these products into the North American marketplace,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO Solazyme. “Consistent with our stated plans, we are focused initially on ensuring consistent and reliable operations as we build customer trust. While we acknowledge that it is still early days, we look forward to the opportunity to expand our production volume and the slate of oil products available.”

Truckloads of product are now shipping from the Iowa operations for use in applications including lubricants, metalworking and home and personal care. These shipments are being made pursuant to multiple supply agreements as well as spot purchases, and include reorders.

In the high-performance lubricants and metalworking fluids industries, Solazyme’s Renewable Tailored algal oils help to provide outstanding performance and a sustainable solution with better lubrication, surface tension and viscosity index, plus enhanced stability at elevated temperature, pressure and speed. In home and personal care, Solazyme’s Tailored algal oils offer better performance and a more sustainable alternative to existing oils.

Reliance Industries to invest in Algae.Tec and fund its first India Plant

2014-01-25T12:54:00.000-05:00

Continuing in its rapid expansion in diverse fields, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has announced an investment in Australian algae fuel developer Algae.Tec's first Indian biofuel plant. The Indian Market represents a possible huge market for the Perth-based company and many companies are eyeing setting up shop here.

Mukesh Ambani owned RIL will initially invest $1.5 million in the Australian company followed by $1.2 million at a later date. Using the initial capital, Algae.Tec plans to build a pilot biofuels plants using its algae fuel technology. Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL) will fund the small pilot plant - which will capture Co2 emissions and turn this into algae for use as biofuels.

This pilot plant is designed with a view to modify the present technology to suit the local conditions. This will most probably lead to a larger demonstration plant. In the future though, we anticipate that RIL and Algae.Tec will join forces to establish commercial plants in India. In that respect, Reliance has the edge as it has exclusivity over the technology in the India market.

While various people have been speculating over the location of this pilot plant, sources say that it will be amidst the huge petroleum refineries in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Algae.Tec has been confident about the positive impact the company's technology will have on India's energy sector. The Australian company's managing director Peter Hatfull is of the opinion that algae technology had the potential to make a significant impact on India's energy and environmental requirements. He was further quoted as saying, "This is a major step for us. India is a perfect market place for our technology It is an absolutely gigantic market" (Sic). These comments come on the back of widespread criticism of the Indian energy sector which hasn't ceased its huge reliance on coal-fired generation and the lack for demand of clean biofuels.

In December 2013, Algae.Tec said it would focus on the 'nutraceuticals' market. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements that support physical and mental health. The company's move away from algal fuels was influenced by the low capital costs of the former, as well as the potential for high gross margins on revenue, and significant market potential. With this move, the revenue that the company expects to generate in the next three years is significantly more than its present as the nutraceuticals market is touted to be worth $205 billion globally by 2017.

Algenol Awarded Governor’s Innovators in Business Awards

2014-01-23T22:30:00.001-05:00

Today, Florida Governor Rick Scott and Secretary of Commerce and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI), Gray Swoope announced the winners of the 2013 Governor’s Innovators in Business Awards during Florida Business Innovators Week. The awards recognize Florida companies in select industries that have influenced the state’s economic growth and diversification over the last year.

Governor Scott said, “Florida’s economy has experienced a huge turnaround. In three years, Florida has added over 446,000 private-sector jobs and our unemployment rate has fallen below the national average to 6.4 percent. Businesses are able to thrive because we have created an economic climate in Florida that supports job creation. I want to congratulate all of the companies being recognized today for their hard work in creating jobs and helping to create an opportunity economy in Florida that supports jobs for generations to come. Florida families are able to live the American Dream with the help of the successful, innovative companies that call Florida home, and I am proud to recognize some of those companies today."

Secretary of Commerce Swoope said, “Florida and its companies continue to be the model for economic recovery and growth. Companies from every industry around the state have helped produce jobs and provide opportunities that companies in other states just haven’t been able to match. They truly deserve to be recognized for their resilience, innovation and achievements. On behalf of EFI, congratulations to each of these worthy companies and we look forward to their continued success.”

Algenol won in the Governor’s Innovation/Entrepreneurship Award category which is described as "Florida start-up companies or innovative companies that have set a standard for entrepreneurship and creativity in the past three years."

Solix BioSystems Appoints Austin Maguire to President and CEO Position

2014-01-19T14:15:00.001-05:00

Solix BioSystems, Inc., a leader in photosynthetic algal technology, announced recently the appointment of Austin Maguire as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Maguire brings over 25 years of experience in operations and executive management to Solix at a time when the company is shifting towards commercialization and scaling its operations to satisfy the growing demand for natural high-value, specialty algal products for the nutrition, personal care and aquaculture markets.

“I am delighted that Austin has joined the team at Solix,” says Ilya Golubovich of I2BF Global Ventures, a major investor in Solix. “Austin brings a demonstrated track record of leadership success in the development, scale-up and global commercialization of new high-value specialty food ingredients. His extensive experience will be instrumental in ensuring the success of Solix’s first commercial product launches.”

Prior to joining Solix, Maguire was most recently the President of Calera Corporation, a Khosla Ventures-backed carbon dioxide sequestration company, where he led the scale-up of the company’s technology and the development of key strategic alliances. Prior to Calera, Maguire served as the President of Tate & Lyle Sucralose Inc., where he led the global SPLENDA® Sucralose sweetener business for eleven years until 2008. At Tate & Lyle, Maguire was also a member of the Group’s Senior Operations Management Committee. Earlier positions in Maguire’s Tate & Lyle career involved living in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. and included progressive increases in global responsibility such as Operations and Managing Director level positions in the U.K. Maguire began his career with Irish Refining Company as a process and project engineer in their Exxon managed oil refinery and later moved to Angus Fine Chemicals, an American/French contract manufacturing joint venture. Maguire holds a chemical engineering degree from University College Dublin, Ireland.

“Solix has already proven its technology’s versatility at scale, and I am excited about moving the company forward to the commercialization phase and delivering innovative natural microalgae-derived products that meet growing consumer demand” said Maguire.

Joel Butler, former CEO, will continue at Solix in the new role of Chief Strategic Alliance Officer.

Solazyme Announces New President and Board Member David C. Cole

2013-12-12T18:26:00.001-05:00

Solazyme, Inc. today announced the appointment of David C. Cole as Solazyme’s President effective January 1, 2014. He has also been elected to Solazyme’s Board of Directors. Mr. Cole most recently held the position of CEO of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. and helped form both the Brazil Renewable Energy Company and Hawaii BioEnergy. He has been a strategic advisor to Solazyme since 2010.

“Solazyme will benefit enormously from David’s deep management experience and vision as we enter our next phase of commercialization,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO, Solazyme. “He has been a close and trusted advisor to me and to Solazyme for almost four years, and we are very excited to work with him in his new role.”

Mr. Cole has extensive experience as an executive commercializing disruptive technologies across the publishing, software, Internet and food sectors with positions including CEO of Ashton-Tate, President of Ziff Communications, Group President of AOL New Enterprises, Managing Member of Sunnyside Farms (an organic food producer and marketer), and co-founder and Chairman of Acirca (an organic food company sold to Hain Celestial).

Mr. Cole has also served on boards for a variety of organizations including Sesame Workshop, PBS, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund and American Farmland Trust.

Mr. Cole joins other board members, Michael Arbige, EVP Technology of DuPont Genencor Science; Ian Clark, CEO of Genentech; Jim Craigie, Chairman and CEO of Church & Dwight Co.; Chairman Jerry Fiddler, former CEO and founder of Wind River Systems; Peter Kovacs, former President and CEO of NutraSweet Kelco; Ann Mather, former CFO of Pixar and current board member of Google, MGM Holdings Inc., and Netflix; and Jonathan Wolfson, CEO and co-founder of Solazyme.

Sapphire Energy And Phillips 66 To Advance Commercialization Of Algae Crude Oil

2013-12-10T13:36:00.001-05:00

Sapphire Energy, Inc., one of the world leaders in algae-based Green Crude oil production, and Phillips 66, an integrated energy manufacturing and logistics company, announced a strategic joint development agreement aimed at taking production of algae crude oil a significant step toward commercialization. The companies will work together to collect and analyze data from co-processing of algae and conventional crude oil into fuels. The goal is to complete fuel certifications to ready Sapphire Energy’s renewable crude oil, called Green Crude, for wide-scale oil refining.

Under the agreement the companies will expand Sapphire Energy’s current testing programs to further validate that Green Crude can be refined in traditional refineries and meet all of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) certification requirements under the Clean Air Act. This includes determining the optimal operating conditions for processing algae crude oil into American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-certified diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. Once the study is finished, the companies will work together to complete the EPA certification process to register a new fuel product entering the market.

“In under a year, Sapphire Energy has entered into contracts with two major companies in the oil and gas industry, showing that there is increasing momentum for algae fuel as a viable crude oil alternative, and significant interest by refiners to have new and better options to meet the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner, CEO and chairman of Sapphire Energy. “We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with Phillips 66, an established leader in research and development for next generation fuels, who understands the opportunity our Green Crude oil holds as a feasible and sustainable crude oil choice for refiners.”

“Phillips 66 is committed to providing energy and improving lives. We are continually on the lookout for promising technology advances in energy manufacturing and logistics,” said Merl Lindstrom, vice president of Technology for Phillips 66. “We believe this joint development project with Sapphire Energy could produce a refinery-ready, sustainable product for Phillips 66, creating yet another exciting opportunity in this rapidly changing energy landscape.”

Combining Phillips 66’s experience in algae research and technical expertise in hydroprocessing and fuels upgrading with Sapphire Energy’s algae cultivation knowledge could yield promising results. This new relationship with Sapphire Energy complements other Phillips 66 renewable fuels collaborations in academia and other sectors to convert a wide array of sustainable feedstocks to transportation fuels. The company’s biofuels platform is one piece of a technology strategy that also includes research and development of fuel cells and solar cells.

Sapphire Energy is now producing crude oil daily from algae biomass cultivated and harvested at the company’s Green Crude Farm, located in Columbus, N.M. The farm is the world’s first algae-to-energy facility that demonstrates the entire value chain of algae-based crude oil production, from cultivation, to harvest, to the conversion of biomass into ready-to-refine crude oil. In initial testing by Sapphire Energy, Green Crude oil was upgraded into on-spec ASTM 975 diesel fuel, proving its compatibility with the existing network of pipelines, refineries and transport systems. The company expects to be at commercial demonstration scale in 2015, commercial scale in 2018, and is eventually projected to produce 1 billion gallons per year by 2025.

BioProcess Algae Groundbreaking

2012-02-03T17:07:00.001-05:00

BioProcess Algae and Green Plains Renewable Energy Break Ground on Five Acre Production Facility

2012-02-03T16:57:00.001-05:00

BioProcess Algae LLC and Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announced that they will start construction of BioProcess Algae's five acre production facility at Green Plains' ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa. The project will be comprised of a combination of at scale Grower Harvester bioreactors and a plant to further dewater and process the algae into finished product. The horizontal reactors have been successfully running outdoors since the fall of 2011 and this marks the next step in the project to commercialize algae focused on markets for animal feed, fuel, omega-3 products and high-value nutraceuticals.

"After a successful rollout of the horizontal reactors at full commercial scale, we are eager to move forward with this project producing meaningful quantities of dried wholesale algae for use in products now," said Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Plains. "This new phase will mark the successful transition to a larger footprint located adjacent to our Shenandoah, Iowa ethanol plant which will provide the basic inputs the bioreactors need: carbon dioxide, warm water and heat."

"Our technology has successfully brought algae directly into the sunlight using limited inputs while increasing growth rates," says Tim Burns, Chief Executive Officer of BioProcess Algae. "We continue to work with potential strategic customers including major food, animal feed, energy and pharmaceutical companies around the world," continued Burns. "Often times, this is the first access they have had to larger quantities of wholesale algae. Our goal is to produce algae in a cost effective manner that can be used as the customer sees fit."

BioProcess Algae Grower Harvester bioreactors located in Shenandoah, Iowa have been continually running since their Phase I launch in October 2009.

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

OriginOil to Collaborate with US Department of Energy to Develop Algae Feedstock Standard

2011-09-21T18:00:00.001-04:00

OriginOil, Inc. announced it will begin to work with the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory to develop standards for converting biomass, including algae, into biofuels and other products.

On August 23^rd and 24^th, Paul Reep participated as an algae industry representative in the Department of Energy's (DOE) Biomass Preconversion and Densification Workshop, held at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Invited participants from both private and public sectors were given progress updates from DOE's Office of Biomass Programs. One of the Program's main goals will be to develop feedstock standards and specifications for different formats of bio-energy materials. While the focus of the workshop was on terrestrial biomass, OriginOil plans to work with researchers at INL to extend the concepts to include algae.

The collaboration will include how algae can add energy content to other feedstocks such as woody and herbaceous materials, which are already being configured for biochemical and thermochemical upgrading for energy production. It is envisioned that once the correct formulation is established, the combined chemical and energy value of the whole formatted feedstock will be greater than the sum of individual parts.

Until now, the focus on algae has been on harvesting its oil products for drop-in biofuels. However, using the whole algae feedstock with its lipids still in the cell is more energy-efficient and helps centralize downstream processing.

"We are very excited to help establish a uniform intermediate feedstock standard for algae, a critical step toward helping algae producers and energy refiners to collaborate for biofuels production," said Paul Reep, OriginOil Senior Vice President of Technology.

As with John D. Rockefeller's creation of a "Standard Oil," specification standards are critical enabling steps for large-scale expansion of emerging industries. Once a standard for algae feedstock is agreed, it will provide industry direction to design equipment and products to meet that standard. OriginOil intends to work closely with algae industry organizations and producers to make this standard a reality.

Microalgae could be Texas' next big cash crop

2011-07-07T01:36:00.001-04:00

Just as corn and peanuts stunned the world decades ago with their then-newly discovered multi-beneficial uses and applications, Texas AgriLife Research scientists in Corpus Christi think microalgae holds even more promise.

"It's a huge, untapped source of fuel, food, feed, pharmaceuticals and even pollution-busters," said Dr. Carlos Fernandez, a crop physiologist at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi who is studying the physiological responses of microalgae to the environment.

There are an estimated 200,000 to 800,000 species of microalgae, microscopic algae that thrive in freshwater and marine systems, Fernandez said.

Of all those species, only 35,000 species have been described, he said.

"We're only starting to scratch the surface of discovering the natural secrets of microalgae and their many potential uses and benefits," he said. "But already it's obvious that farmers will one day soon be growing microalgae on marginal land that won't compete with fertile farmland. They won't even compete for fresh water to grow."

To understand how best to grow it, Fernandez constructed a microalgae physiology laboratory to study how it's affected by temperature, salinity, nutrients, light levels and carbon dioxide.

"We have four bioreactors in which we grow microalgae to determine the basic physiological responses that affect its growth," he said. "We will then integrate these responses into a simulator model, a tool we can use in the management of larger, outdoor systems."

In this study, different strains of microalgae will be evaluated for their capacity to produce large amounts of lipids, or fats, that can then be converted to produce and refine diesel and other biofuels, Fernandez said.

"Along with that, after extracting the lipids from the biomass of microalgae, there is a residue that we are going to analyze for its quality for use as feed for animals, including fish, shrimp or cattle."

Eventually, studies will evaluate the possibility of using the residue as a soil fertilizer.

"There are lots of other potential uses for the residue, but for now our focus is on feed and fertilizer," he said.

The microalgae study includes other researchers, Fernandez said.

"We've just started this work and we're working closely with the nearby Texas AgriLife Mariculture labs in Flour Bluff, under the direction of Dr. Tzachi Samocha, and the one in Port Aransas, under the direction of Dr. Addison Lawrence."

Studying microalgae in the Corpus Christi area is a natural fit for many reasons, Fernandez said.

"We have immediate access to seawater to grow microalgae," he said. "Because we're so close to the Gulf of Mexico, we've got lots of marginal land in the area where microalgae can be grown on a large scale. We have lower evaporation rates than in arid areas so water replacement is less.

"There are local power plants and oil refineries in the area that we can use as sources of carbon dioxide that helps microalgae grow while reducing CO2 pollutants. And we have a wealth of higher education institutions in the area with huge potentials to help in these studies, including Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Delmar College."

AgriLife Research at Corpus Christi has partnered with the Barney M. Davis Power Plant to conduct this and other studies.

"It's a natural gas-operated power plant that is an excellent source of carbon dioxide from its flue gasses that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by passing them through microalgae systems," he said.

There also is the potential to partner with the City of Corpus Christi, which has several municipal water treatment plants in the area that can be used as sources of nutrients to reduce the cost of applying them to microalgae systems, Fernandez said.

"Our center director, Dr. Juan Landivar, took a huge leadership role in moving these microalgae projects forward by seeking and obtaining federal and private funding, and by encouraging teamwork and multi-disciplinary personnel to work on this," Fernandez said.

Aurora Algae Advances Commercial Facility Construction, Achieves Major Project Facilitation Status

2011-06-22T15:34:00.001-04:00

Aurora Algae today announced it has awarded MWH and John Holland (JH) the initial engineering contract for design and construction of the Company’s commercial facility in Maitland, Western Australia. Having just secured over 1,500 acres of land near its recently opened demonstration facility in Karratha, this signifies a concrete advancement in the process of constructing the largest commercial scale photosynthetic algae facility in the world. Aurora Algae’s commercial facility will be equipped to manufacture thousands of tonnes of algae-based biomass annually for the production of sustainable products in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, aquaculture and renewable energy markets.

Concurrently, Aurora Algae has achieved Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status, a designation granted by the Hon. Anthony Albanese, Australia’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. Aurora Algae’s cutting-edge cleantech project has been recognized for its potential to help Australia take advantage of the global economic recovery as well as the commercial opportunities flowing from international efforts to cut carbon pollution. The MPF program is administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and provides the project with a facilitation service to achieve quick and timely assistance from the Australian Government. Presently, there are 19 projects with MPF status across a range of industries, collectively representing a potential investment of over $120 billion.

“I’m happy to grant Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status to Aurora Algae Pty Ltd’s progressive cleantech project,” said Anthony Albanese, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Australia. “With the right support from government, Australia can become a world leader in renewable technologies such as Aurora Algae’s, with the real potential of creating tens of thousands of highly skilled ‘green’ collar jobs and new export opportunities.”

To initiate construction plans for the Maitland commercial facility, the Company chose MWH engineering firm, a global leader in wet infrastructure, and JH, the largest multidiscipline construction contracting business in Australia, to combine their expertise in the joint venture. The two companies have worked together on projects for over 30 years, with MWH as the lead designer on the $3.12 billion Panama Canal navigational locks construction (to be completed in 2014), onsite water management services for Rio Tinto, one of Australia’s biggest mining companies, and an industrial wastewater pre-treatment system for The Dannon Company. JH is currently delivering the Devil Creek Development Project, a $200 million onshore gas plant in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and has recently completed the Sydney Desalination Plant, Australia’s largest desalination plant, which uses reverse osmosis process technology to supply up to 15 percent of Sydney's total water supply. JH is also currently working in a joint venture to deliver the Hong Kong Sludge Treatment facility, a 2,000 metric tonnes per day waste treatment facility generating its own energy (to be completed in 2013).

“The John Holland team is excited to be working with Aurora Algae and MWH to deliver this commercial-scale new technology carbon reduction project that will have a positive benefit on the environment,” said Greg Taylor, general manager of John Holland’s Water and Enviro business.

“Aurora Algae is now the first global company to begin a commercial project for bioproduct and biofuel production based on photosynthetic marine microalgae,” said Greg Bafalis, CEO of Aurora Algae. “Awarding the initial engineering contract advances us one step closer to the commercialization of our revolutionary platform, and the ongoing support and validation from the Australian government, through achievements such as MPF status, is a key driver for our rapid progress.”

Navy Successfully Operates MH 60S Seahawk Helicopter On 50/50 Blend Of Algal Derived Jet Fuel

2011-06-20T12:23:00.001-04:00

Solazyme, Inc. announced today that the US Navy successfully demonstrated Solazyme’s 100% algal-derived jet fuel, Solajet®_HRJ-5, in an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter test flight in a 50/50 blend with petroleum-derived jet fuel. This marks the first military aircraft to fly on an algal-based jet fuel in history. This test flight preceded the historic announcement by ASTM International that it has preliminarily approved biofuel from algae and other renewable sources to be blended with traditional jet fuel on commercial flights worldwide, with formal approval expected sometime in July.

“We applaud ASTM International and the ATA and CAAFI for their efforts to advance the world’s newest and most sustainable fuels for aviation. The aviation industry has demonstrated a strong leadership position in fuel supply diversification and sustainability, and today’s announcement is a major step in its efforts to commercialize advanced low-carbon biofuels,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO, Solazyme.

“Solazyme is honored to be working with the US Navy and DLA-Energy in driving forward the testing and certification process for advanced biofuels. The successful flight demonstration of the Seahawk helicopter on a 50/50 blend of Solajet®_HRJ-5 and petroleum-derived jet fuel marks a significant milestone in this process, and reinforces the Navy’s commitment to securing our nation’s energy supply.”

Honeywell UOP was the refining partner on the jet fuel delivery, and has been working with Solazyme since 2009 on multiple contracts with the US military.

To date, Solazyme is the only company to provide the US Navy with microbially-derived advanced aviation and marine fuel. These advanced biofuels are drop-in replacements to petroleum-based fuel, requiring no modification to engines or military logistics infrastructure. The fuels also meet Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

PetroAlgae and Suriname Ministry of Natural Resources Sign Master Framework and Initial License Agreement to Begin Open Growth Bioreactor for Renewable Fuels and Protein

2011-06-15T22:58:00.001-04:00

PetroAlgae Inc. and its operating company PA LLC, a leading renewable energy company that licenses its commercial micro-crop technology globally, today announced that it has finalized a Master Framework and Initial License Agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources for the Republic of Suriname (Ministry), Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie), and N.V. Verenigde Cultuur Maatschappijen (N.V. VCM) for the phased construction and operation of a commercial-scale, PetroAlgae farm for the production of renewable fuel and protein. Planning and funding for the initial phase is underway utilizing PetroAlgae’s micro-crop system and licensed technology.

Under the agreement, Staatsolie will serve as the lead coordinator for the Ministry, while N.V. VCM and Staatsolie will be responsible for construction and operation of the project. PetroAlgae will contribute the use and limited license to certain of its PA intellectual property and technology as well as supporting services and quality assurance.

“The Ministry is continuously evaluating clean renewable fuel and food production and is very pleased to be working with the PetroAlgae team, the Staatsolie organization and N.V. VCM on this important initiative,” said Mr. Jim Hok, Minister of Resources for the Ministry of Natural Resources for the Republic of Suriname. “We are very excited about the prospects of this partnership for building a new profitable industry that is consistent with maintaining our pristine environment and with our commitment to create green jobs in Suriname. We see this initiative with PetroAlgae as an example of Suriname's growing leadership position in the region.”

PetroAlgae’s micro-crop technology employs indigenous, non-algae, aquatic micro-crops suitable to local climates. It is designed to produce biomass at commercial scale and to enable its licensees to develop a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels, as well as a high-value protein co-product, while absorbing carbon dioxide from greenhouse gas emissions.

“PetroAlgae is pleased to be partnering with the Suriname government, Staatsolie, and N.V. VCM as this represents a very strong team to license, build and operate a PetroAlgae production farm in Suriname,” said Dr. John Scott, Chairman of PetroAlgae. “We see tremendous opportunity for the clean production of renewable fuels as well as a new source of protein. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Staatsolie demonstrate a strong vision for the country as well as the region, and are not only highly diligent in their evaluation process but also efficient in their decision making process. Additionally, N.V. VCM has very strong operational and deployment competencies. We anticipate a highly productive relationship with the entire team.”

Solazyme Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

2011-05-27T00:35:00.001-04:00

Solazyme, Inc. today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 10,975,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $18.00 per share. Of the shares of common stock in the offering, Solazyme is offering 10,375,000 shares, and selling stockholders are offering 600,000 shares. In addition, Solazyme has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,646,250 shares of common stock, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. Solazyme will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Jefferies & Company, Inc. is acting as lead manager, and Pacific Crest Securities LLC and Lazard Capital Markets LLC are acting as co-managers. The shares will begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 27, 2011 under the ticker symbol “SZYM.”

Algal Biomass Organization Announces New Directors and Board Chair

2011-05-23T15:08:00.001-04:00

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today announced the election of its Board of Directors for the 2011-2013 term. The ABO also announced Mark Allen, a Senior Advisor to BioProcess Algae, as Chair of the Board of Directors. The Board includes three newly-elected directors and four directors who were re-elected.

The ABO was founded in 2008 to promote the development of commercial markets for renewable and sustainable products derived from algae. It works on behalf of the industry to deliver information to the public and governments on the industry's development, and to advocate for the improvement of Federal, state and local policies that would accelerate the commercialization and expanded use of algae-based products.

As part of its commitment to representing the entire algae industry, the ABO's Board is comprised of representatives from across the value chain, including academia, professional services, technology, project development and end-user markets. Newly elected to the ABO Board for the 2011-2013 term are:

Qiang Hu, Laboratory for Algae Research and Biotechnology, Arizona State University
Paul Woods, Algenol
Tim Zenk, Sapphire Energy

In addition, four board members were re-elected to an additional two-year term:

Harrison Dillon, Solazyme
Margaret McCormick, Targeted Growth, Inc.
John Pierce, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Ira "Ike" Levine, Aquatic Research Lab, University of Southern Maine

These new and re-elected Board members will join the ABO's current Board members:

Thomas Byrne, Byrne & Company, Ltd.
John Benemann, Benemann Associates
Keith Cooksey, Montana State University
Billy Glover, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Greg Mitchell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Joel Murdock, FedEx
Herminia Rodriguez, University of Seville, Spain

"I congratulate our newly elected and re-elected members of the board, while also thanking those moving off the board for their hard work and service," said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Algal Biomass Organization. "Our organization relies heavily on the support and participation of the board, and collectively we've been able to help move the industry forward."

Cellana Receives $5.5 Million USDA and Doe Grant to Develop New Algae-Based Animal Feeds as Algal Biofuel Byproduct

2011-05-14T14:36:00.001-04:00

Cellana LLC, a leading developer of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts, has received a three-year $5.5 million grant to develop a protein supplement from algae as a byproduct of algal biofuels production and to demonstrate its nutritional and economic value in livestock feeds.

Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Biomass Program through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative and will help increase the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products to diversify the nation's energy resources. The award was made through a competitive selection process.

Cellana LLC, a subsidiary of Cellana, Inc. (formerly HR BioPetroleum, Inc.), will receive $5,521,173 for the project, titled "Developing a New Generation of Animal Feed Protein Supplements." Under this grant, Cornell University will be conducting large-scale animal feeding trials using algae biomass provided by Cellana to identify the most economical and efficacious strains of algae.

"Cellana is looking forward to providing affordable and nutritious food supplies from its production of marine microalgae. These bioproducts support Cellana's biorefinery business model and can help the livestock industry remain competitive in Hawaii and in other parts of the world," noted Martin Sabarsky, president and CEO of Cellana, Inc.

In addition to the new grant program, Cellana has programs with universities in the U.S. and Norway to test proteins from top candidate strains to replace fishmeal in aquaculture feed. Fishmeal protein, an increasingly unsustainable source of aquaculture feed, has reached its peak in global production and become expensive.

"Cellana is also looking forward to providing a commercially viable supply of renewable biofuel in Hawaii to help it meet its renewable energy goals. All critical elements of the company's algae cultivation technology have been demonstrated at our six-acre facility in Kona and will be incorporated at our proposed commercial plant in Maalaea, Maui. We are on track for this commercial deployment by 2014," Sabarsky added.

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

Solazyme and Bunge Sign JDA Partnership for Production of Renewable Triglyceride Oils

2011-05-08T14:03:00.001-04:00

Solazyme, Inc. announced last week a two-year joint development agreement (JDA) with Bunge Limited to develop microbe-derived oils utilizing Brazilian sugar cane feedstock. The agreement builds on Bunge’s earlier equity investment in Solazyme, and the letter of intent signed by both firms in December 2010 that contemplates a manufacturing joint venture for the production of tailored oils at Bunge’s sugar cane mills in Brazil.

Under the terms of the agreement, Solazyme will leverage its algal fermentation technology in combination with Bunge’s oil processing and milling capabilities to cost-effectively produce targeted triglyceride oils. Development will take place at Bunge’s facility in Moema, Brazil, and at Solazyme’s laboratories in South San Francisco and Campinas, Brazil.

To further align the incentives of both parties, the two companies also entered into a Warrant Agreement. This agreement issues a warrant to Bunge for shares of Solazyme that vests upon the successful completion of key milestones, ultimately targeting the construction of a commercial facility with 100,000 metric tons of output oil coming online in 2013.

Cellana's Kona Demonstration Facility and Patented Algae Production Process Showing Promising Results

2011-05-03T23:35:00.001-04:00

Cellana LLC is positioned to be the first algae company to ramp up to commercial deployment for a biofuel application in Hawaii. This commercial algae facility would also represent one of the first of its kind in the United States.

"Cellana's patented process for growing algae at industrial scale is showing promising results. With thousands of different strains already evaluated, we are growing algae strains capable of producing up to 60 tons of biomass containing 3,800 gallons of algal oil per acre per year," explained Martin Sabarsky, Cellana's chief executive officer.

"Cellana is now producing experimental quantities of up to a ton per month of Hawaiian strains of algae at our demonstration facility in Kona. We are testing these strains for numerous high-value applications, including fuel, animal feed, cosmetics, nutritional oils and industrial chemicals."

Cellana is working with the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts, the Department of Energy, as well as undisclosed potential corporate partners to evaluate significant quantities of biomass produced at its six-acre demonstration facility. Cellana has also contracted with universities in the U.S. and Norway to test proteins from top candidate strains to replace fishmeal in aquaculture feed with excellent results to date.

In addition, Sabarsky notes that in August 2010 Cellana added yet another U.S. patent to its growing portfolio of owned or in-licensed intellectual property, Patent No. 7,770,322, "Continuous-batch hybrid process for production of oil and other useful products from photosynthetic microbes." This patent is exclusively licensed to Cellana.

"The process protected by this patent is at the heart of Cellana's past and future success, as it provides a means of avoiding contamination while minimizing the high costs associated with enclosed culture systems and allows relatively low-cost open ponds to be used," Sabarsky explained. "Over $100 million has been invested to date in our Kona demonstration facility, our algae strains and the processes we use to grow, harvest and separate our algae biomass, which puts Cellana on a very short list of leading companies in the emerging algae-based biofuels and bioproducts industry."

For the past several years, Cellana LLC's parent company, Cellana, Inc., formerly known as HR BioPetroleum (HRBP), founded in Hawaii in 2004, has been evaluating sites in Hawaii to deploy a commercial-scale algae facility. In 2008, HRBP, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Hawaiian Electric Company and Maui Electric Company, subsidiaries of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. signed memoranda of understanding to pursue joint development of a commercial algae facility on land adjacent to Maui Electric's Ma'alaea power plant. The proposed facility would use the carbon dioxide produced by the power plant to feed the algae, both reducing carbon emissions and the need for fossil fuel. In effect, the carbon dioxide produced from burning fuel for electricity would be consumed by oil-rich algae which, after harvest, could provide a biocrude or biodiesel replacement for the petroleum diesel used to power the plant as well as other valuable products.

"With world oil prices rising, and Hawaii's already high energy costs, Cellana is looking toward providing a commercially viable supply of renewable biofuel," noted Sabarsky. "It is a pioneering effort with tremendous potential, and we are now looking at 2014 for the construction and operation of this transformational facility on Maui."

"After initial field trials, we are also enthusiastic about the technical and economic viability of algal protein from our leading strains of algae for use as a fishmeal supplement to provide a valuable co-product," said Barry Raleigh, chairman of Cellana, Inc.'s board of directors and company co-founder.

"Fishmeal protein, which is an increasingly unsustainable source of aquaculture feed, has reached its peak in global production and has become very expensive. Algae protein as a fishmeal supplement looks as if it may provide an answer for the demands of the aquaculture industry and an excellent revenue stream for Cellana."

In initial trials using two candidate strains of Cellana's algae, fishmeal protein was replaced, in part, by algal protein. Farmed salmon, carp and shrimp consumed the replacement feed and then were compared with those fed the standard diet. Weight gain, feed conversion and protein efficiency were either unaffected or significantly improved by the use of the algal protein, when compared to the traditional fishmeal protein.

Salmon were unaffected when replacing five to 10 percent of the fishmeal with algal protein. In carp and shrimp, 25 to 40 percent replacement showed improvements in feed conversion efficiency, weight gain and an improved coloration in the harvested fish. Sabarsky said larger-scale trials are now in process.

Solutions for 'culture crashes' in algal production sought

2011-04-22T16:04:00.001-04:00

Algae can seem quite stubborn and hardy when trying to rid them from your pool, but when it comes to mass producing algal feedstock to be used in the conversion to biofuel, more things can happen to destroy this type of crop than most realize.

Of many culprit organisms that may result in the deterioration of algal culture performance and biomass yield, grazing zooplankton, or so called predators, often are responsible for frequent culture ‘crashes’ and loss of productivity altogether. Except for a few algal strains that can tolerate extreme growing environments that are deterrents to many contaminants, the hazard of predator contamination is so great that sustainable cultivation of many algal crops of economic interest – in particular, oil-producing algal strains on a large scale – has not been possible.

However, with a recent five-year $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Arizona State University scientist Qiang Hu and his research team are studying the factors involved with algal crop failure.

Hu, a professor in the College of Technology and Innovation and co-director of the Arizona Center for Algal Technology and Innovation (AzCATI)/Laboratory for Algae Research and Biotechnology (LARB), explains that the cost of crop failures could be in the multimillions of dollars to this emerging green industry if devastating grazing zooplankton have their way.

Zooplankton are microscopic animals that often are identified as amoebas, protozoans, ciliates and rotifers. All are predators on microscopic algae, which represent the base of the aquatic food chain.

“Without a detailed understanding of the factors influencing the occurrence, population dynamics, impact and control of zooplankton, it could potentially prevent algae from being a practical source of oil crops for production of bioenergy and bioproducts,” Hu said.

To study the zooplankton, Hu and his team will survey zooplankton contamination in commercial algal production systems, as well as in their own algae testbed facilities at ASU Polytechnic campus, where a number of production strains are cultivated in various types of culture systems all year round. Simultaneously, they will determine living and non-living influencers on zooplankton, aiming at developing an empirical model for assessment and prediction of potential impact of zooplankton contamination on overall algal culture stability and biomass production potential.

By introducing state-of-the-art bio-imaging and DNA fingerprinting techniques, they will develop a rapid, sensitive monitoring and an early warning system. In parallel, they will evaluate several innovative control measures, and ultimately develop a Best Management Practices Plan (BMPP) for prevention and treatment.

“The comprehensive BMPP will be the key to achieve sustainable production of algal feedstock, and thus enable successful commercialization of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts,” Hu said.

“Results from the research plan to be shared widely with the biotechnology community and the algal biofuels industry, through publications and conference presentations, as well as workshops and training courses provided by LARB and AzCATI,” said Milton Sommerfeld, professor and co-director of LARB and AzCATI.

Source : Arizona State University

PNNL Study Shows Algae Could Replace 17 Percent Of US Oil Imports

2011-04-15T21:53:00.001-04:00

High oil prices and environmental and economic security concerns have triggered interest in using algae-derived oils as an alternative to fossil fuels. But growing algae – or any other biofuel source – can require a lot of water.

However, a new study shows that being smart about where we grow algae can drastically reduce how much water is needed for algal biofuel. Growing algae for biofuel, while being water-wise, could also help meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets by replacing 17 percent of the nation's imported oil for transportation, according to a paper published in the journal Water Resources Research.

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that water use is much less if algae are grown in the U.S. regions that have the sunniest and most humid climates: the Gulf Coast, the Southeastern Seaboard and the Great Lakes.

"Algae has been a hot topic of biofuel discussions recently, but no one has taken such a detailed look at how much America could make – and how much water and land it would require – until now," said Mark Wigmosta, lead author and a PNNL hydrologist. "This research provides the groundwork and initial estimates needed to better inform renewable energy decisions."

Algal biofuel can be made by extracting and refining the oils, called lipids, that algae produce as they grow. Policy makers and researchers are interested in developing biofuels because they can create fewer overall greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. And biofuels can be made here in the United States. In 2009, slightly more than half of the petroleum consumed by the U.S. was from foreign oil.

Wigmosta and his co-authors provide the first in-depth assessment of America's algal biofuel potential given available land and water. The study also estimated how much water would need to be replaced due to evaporation over 30 years. The team analyzed previously published data to determine how much algae can be grown in open, outdoor ponds of fresh water while using current technologies. Algae can also be grown in salt water and covered ponds. But the authors focused on open, freshwater ponds as a benchmark for this study. Much of today's commercial algae production is done in open ponds.

Crunching the numbers

First, the scientists developed a comprehensive national geographic information system database that evaluated topography, population, land use and other information about the contiguous United States. That database contained information spaced every 100 feet throughout the U.S., which is a much more detailed view than previous research. This data allowed them to identify available areas that are better suited for algae growth, such as those with flat land that isn't used for farming and isn't near cities or environmentally sensitive areas like wetlands or national parks.

Next, the researchers gathered 30 years of meteorological information. That helped them determine the amount of sunlight that algae could realistically photosynthesize and how warm the ponds would become. Combined with a mathematical model on how much typical algae could grow under those specific conditions, the weather data allowed Wigmosta and team to calculate the amount of algae that could realistically be produced hourly at each specific site.

Water for oil

The researchers found that 21 billion gallons of algal oil, equal to the 2022 advanced biofuels goal set out by the Energy Independence and Security Act, can be produced with American-grown algae. That's 17 percent of the petroleum that the U.S. imported in 2008 for transportation fuels, and it could be grown on land roughly the size of South Carolina. But the authors also found that 350 gallons of water per gallon of oil - or a quarter of what the country currently uses for irrigated agriculture – would be needed to produce that much algal biofuel.

The study also showed that up to 48 percent of the current transportation oil imports could be replaced with algae, though that higher production level would require significantly more water and land. So the authors focused their research on the U.S. regions that would use less water to grow algae, those with the nation's sunniest and most humid climates.

But the authors also found that algae's water use isn't that different from most other biofuel sources. While considering the gas efficiency of a standard light-utility vehicle, they estimated growing algae uses anywhere between 8.6 and 50.2 gallons of water per mile driven on algal biofuel. In comparison, data from previously published research indicated that corn ethanol can be made with less water, but showed a larger usage range: between 0.6 and 61.9 gallons of water per mile driven. Several factors – including the differing water needs of specific growing regions and the different assumptions and methods used by various researchers – cause the estimates to range greatly, they found.

Because conventional petroleum gas doesn't need to be grown like algae or corn, it doesn't need as much water. Previously published data indicated conventional gas uses between about 0.09 and 0.3 gallons of water per mile.

More to consider

Looking beyond freshwater, the authors noted algae has several advantages over other biofuel sources. For example, algae can produce more than 80 times more oil than corn per hectare a year. And unlike corn and soybeans, algae aren't a widespread food source that many people depend on for nutrition. As carbon dioxide-consuming organisms, algae are considered a carbon-neutral energy source. Algae can feed off carbon emissions from power plants, delaying the emissions' entry into the atmosphere. Algae also digest nitrogen and phosphorous, which are common water pollutants. That means algae can also grow in – and clean – municipal waste water.

"Water is an important consideration when choosing a biofuel source," Wigmosta said. "And so are many other factors. Algae could be part of the solution to the nation's energy puzzle - if we're smart about where we place growth ponds and the technical challenges to achieving commercial-scale algal biofuel production are met."

Next up for Wigmosta and his colleagues is to examine non-freshwater sources like salt water and waste water. They are also researching greenhouse ponds for use in colder climates, as well as economic considerations for algal biofuel production.

Green Plains Renewable Energy and BioProcess Algae to Host Agriculture Secretary Vilsack at Grand Opening of Phase II Grower Harvester Bioreactors

2011-04-15T00:18:00.001-04:00

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE) announced today that U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote address at the Grand Opening of Phase II of BioProcess Algae's Grower Harvester^TM bioreactors in Shenandoah, Iowa.

"We are honored to have Secretary Vilsack deliver the keynote address at this important event for BioProcess Algae and to see firsthand our bioreactor technology growing and harvesting algae," said Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Plains Renewable Energy. "The next step for us is to take our commercial scale reactors and build out an algae farm at our ethanol plant in Shenandoah, which can produce inputs needed for feed, food and next generation algae-based fuels. The co-location at an ethanol plant has proven to be the right platform to rapidly commercialize this technology."

The grand opening will take place at 4:30 pm central daylight time on Friday April 15, 2011 at Green Plains' ethanol plant located at 4124 Airport Road, Shenandoah, Iowa.

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

Aurora Algae A2 Product Portfolio Equals Sustainable Nutrition, Energy and Aquaculture

2011-04-12T16:46:00.001-04:00

Aurora Algae today introduced the A2 product portfolio, a series of natural products derived from its proprietary algae platform. The A2 product portfolio is uniquely sustainable, scalable and flexible to address growing demand in the explosive nutrition, aquaculture, pharmaceutical and energy markets.

With the A2 product family, Aurora Algae positively addresses the food versus fuel argument surrounding the risks associated with redirecting farmland and crops for biofuels production to the detriment of the food supply on a global scale. Leveraging its photosynthetic algae platform, the Company can simultaneously produce a vegetarian food source and renewable biofuel products, year-round with a single crop. Combining its proprietary algae strains and production process, which uses arid land, seawater, sunlight and captured carbon pollution from industrial emitters, the Company is able to grow its algae in a more environmentally sustainable manner.

The portfolio is comprised of four “algae-to-product” (A2 product) categories:

A2 Omega-3™—a family of Omega-3 oils aimed at the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets with the goal of providing a natural, sustainable and cost-effective alternative to fish oil and fermented products. The first offering in this family, A2 EPA Pure™ will make the benefits of EPA available to a broader market since it is derived from an allergen-free, vegetarian source.
A2 Feed™—a family of protein-rich algal grains specifically designed for the animal and aquaculture markets to supply a high-quality feedstock to raise sustainably farmed fish and healthy animals.
A2 Fuel™—a family of biomass and biodiesel applications providing renewable alternatives for transportation and other energy-related markets.
A2 Protein™—a family of protein-rich powder products for the food and beverage industry.

Grown at the Company’s recently completed demonstration facility in Western Australia, approximately 15 tonnes per month of rich algal biomass is now available for customer evaluation.

“Leveraging our in-depth knowledge of these marine organisms, and our proprietary molecular genetic approaches, we have established non-GMO algae strains with drastically enhanced lipid profiles, yield and resilience,” said Dr. Bertrand Vick, chief science officer for Aurora Algae. “These innovations, combined with our optimized cultivation, harvesting and extraction technologies, have allowed us to quickly bring to market a sustainable, renewable portfolio of products.”

The algal oil and powder resulting from Aurora Algae’s process lend their best attributes to the four A2 product families, which are then distilled down into more distinct products. For example, within the A2 Omega-3 product family, Aurora Algae leverages the high percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in its biomass to produce a unique EPA product. The Company’s “crude” algal oil contains a concentration of 65 percent EPA, versus the industry standard of “crude” fish oil at 18 percent, which can then be sourced to create A2 EPA Pure.

“With A2 EPA Pure, we’ll make a significant contribution to the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, providing a new sustainable, continuous source of EPA in the highest natural concentration available to date,” said Leslie van der Meulen, vice president of business development for Aurora Algae. “The allergen-free, vegetarian sourced A2 EPA Pure will be a game changer. The unique properties and infinitely scalable nature of our algae platform will allow our customers to safely invest in the abundant application potential of EPA, knowing their supply is guaranteed.”

Aurora Algae’s proprietary algal platform, which was introduced late last year, is being cultivated at its demonstration facility in Karratha, Western Australia. The Company will hold a grand opening event at the facility on May 4. Aurora Algae strategic partners and customers are invited to attend the event to celebrate this advancement in high-tech farming.

W2 Begins Operation of the SunFilter 2 System With Nutraceutical Algae

2011-04-05T14:48:00.001-04:00

W2 Energy, Inc. is pleased to announce that on April 1 it began operating the first stage of the SunFilter 2 system filled with a special algae that creates a valuable vitamin as a by-product.

The SunFilter 2 is filled only with haematococcus pluvialis algae and fresh water. When grown and dried, 2-5% of haematococcus pluvialis algae are comprised of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant gaining popularity worldwide as a vitamin supplement.

Recent scientific findings indicate that astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and a free-radical scavenger that can aid essential biological functions, including protection from harmful ultra violet rays from the sun.

As current wholesale price for astaxanthin increases the haematococcus pluvialis algae with a concentration or 3-5% astaxanthin, each dried pound of algae would be worth $500.

"We are very excited about the connection between our technology and vitamin production," says Mike McLaren, President and CEO of W2 Energy. "Our energy production systems will make green energy and clean the environment, and the vitamin by-products will help make our bodies stronger."

Solix BioSystems Introduces for Sale the LumianTM AGS4000, a 4000 Liter Outdoor Algae Growth System for R&D and Inoculum Production

2011-03-29T20:30:00.001-04:00

Solix BioSystems today announced the availability for sale of the Lumian™ AGS4000, a 4000 liter, high productivity, integrated Algae Growth System (AGS™) that provides an outdoor growth environment for the evaluation of algal species or as a source of clean culture inoculum for larger growth systems. The Lumian AGS4000, which utilizes Solix's proprietary floating photobioreactor panels (Lumian panels), offers a unique solution for customers seeking a high productivity, reliable algae growth environment outside the laboratory.

"The Lumian AGS4000 is the first commercial launch of Solix's Lumian algae production systems. It is for customers interested in outdoor growth systems for R&D or to generate clean inoculum," said Joel Butler, Solix's Chief Executive Officer. "Its integrated design allows a customer to quickly establish an outdoor algae production system, taking advantage of Solix's experience in both system design as well as algae cultivation. In our AGS in Ft. Collins, Co., we have been able to continuously grow algae for 3 years now with no production failures and with peak growth rates of more than 3000 gallons of lipids per acre per year ( > 29,000 liters per hectare per year)."

Solix's proprietary Lumian panels combine extensive engineering design to optimize algae light exposure with biological know-how to maximize algae growth. Solix's unique combination of engineering and biology expertise has resulted in an algae growth system that is cost competitive, scalable and highly automated.

The Lumian AGS4000 includes:

A thermal basin with 20 Lumian panels plus inoculum expansion lane and includes a dual header delivery systems for separate CO₂ delivery to two independent sets of Lumian panels as well as the inoculum panels;
A complete integrated, compact support system for media preparation, harvest, reinjection and system cleaning;
A control system for programmable sparge gas timing, automated pH management and alarm notifications.

Customers can also opt for heating and cooling capabilities, dewatering and weather protection options. The equipment trailer can support up to six basins, if desired.

Solix Secures Additional Financing and Changes Name to Solix BioSystems

2011-03-28T11:10:00.001-04:00

Solix Biofuels today announced it has secured an excess of $16 million from inside investors as the first part of its Series B financing round. The new funding will drive the commercialization of Solix's industrial algae growth system, the AGS™, utilizing Solix's proprietary, high-productivity photobioreactors. Bohemian Ventures, The Southern Ute Alternative Energy Fund and I2BF Global Ventures have all participated in this financing. In conjunction with the financing, Solix is changing its name to Solix BioSystems to better reflect its role as a leading provider of algae production systems.

"This new round of financing from current investors demonstrates their continued excitement and support for our progress," said Joel Butler, Solix's Chief Executive Officer. "Solix is poised to launch its first commercial AGS product into the market. With our focus on providing customers with algae production systems, Solix BioSystems better reflects the Company's objectives."

(Crossposted from American Fuels)