Pathfinder - Explores relevant climate arenas to identify and prioritise innovation opportunities
The Netherlands
Developing a bio-economy
Utrecht University
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Narbonne, France)
With the world population constantly growing, chemical, food, feedstock, material and fuel industries are all seeking a sustainable feedstock. MicroAlgae Biorefinery is an innovative and sustainable technology, which makes large-scale production of raw material possible, both for food and non-food purposes. Microalgae do not require arable land for growth so there is no competition with agriculture. Furthermore microalgae can be cultivated using waste water and CO₂as a nutrient source for growth.
The present climate challenge requires large scale mitigation of CO₂emissions through energy savings, enhanced resource recovery and the production of CO₂neutral, bio-based chemicals and products. Microalgae are among the most promising sustainable feedstocks because of the high productivity per hectare and the range of potential products. Innovation and industry collaboration efforts, however, are needed to develop microalgae bio-refinery into a commercial activity for bulk-products.