Algae-to-Nutraceuticals Omega 3 EPA/DHA

HOUSTON - Jan. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- The National Algae Association Algae Production Networking Workshop in Lafayette, Louisiana was another successful opportunity to network and collaborate with like-minded algae enthusiasts.  NAA had an opportunity to showcase standards in commercial cultivation and harvesting for the commercial algae production industry by highlighting a new algae production incubator company near Lafayette that was financed by private investment.  Attendees learned about conquering challenges in biofuel and biorefineries but focused on high-value nutraceuticals, progression in feeds and food, and new opportunities for algae glue, adhesives and bioplastics. They also toured the newest National Algae Association incubator site, which included an on-site lab visit , and  live demonstration of algae growing in a proven industrial closed-loop semi-continuous algae production growing system, and harvested through OriginOil's new A-25 harvester.

NAA’s focus for 2015 will be on standardization of commercial cultivation, harvesting and extraction equipment and systems with low CAPEX that are proven on algae farms and indoor algae biomanufacturing facilities. “We have proven that different strains can be grown with tested equipment, and can be grown on a commercial scale,” said NAA Executive Director Barry Cohen. He continued “Algae technologies and equipment will continue to be improved and enhanced but algaepreneurs, private industry and private investment are quickly and quietly jump-starting the algae production industry, without the hype of press releases. We have proven systems for several climates, and our members are creating turn-key commercial-scale algae production systems throughout the country and the world, without any support whatsoever from the Department of Energy or any other governmental agency.”

After all, with all the products that can be made from algae, someone still has to grow it in major quantities to increase the quality and meet the demand for supplements, feed supplements,food and beverage ingredients. To further commercialization of the algae production industry, the NAA has established the Algae Biomass Exchange on LinkedIn for 'qualified' buyers and sellers of algae biomass.  Due to the high-value nutraceutical Omega 3 EPA/DHA products made from haematococcus pluvialis and other algae, the NAA is creating standard protocols for commercial production processes and methods that are proven outside the lab. A new committee is being formed to increase quality awareness in these products. Other standards are also being developed for the commercial cultivation, harvesting and extraction processes and methods for potential fuels. Fuels farms will have to be developed by private industry going forward in order to be successful with a lower CAPEX than government funded projects and equipment.

NAA is planning our next Algae Production Workshop in California this spring and will soon be releasing a Call for Presentations highlighting nutraceuticals Omega 3 EPA/DHA, commercial cultivation, harvesting and extraction of haematococcus and other algae strains.  We will also discuss using algae for food ingredients, feed supplements and other co-products.

More foreign private investment is coming into the algae production industry realizing there is a huge market and the quality processes and methods developed in the US . It is great to see the evolution of private industry sharing information in collaboration with academia, keeping egos out of the equation and getting the job done. All realizing that no one has all the answers.  We are all learning together. NAA continues to see many new algae start-ups being formed and funded with private investment.  We want to thank the commercially-minded algae researchers, algae producers and equipment companies for another successful Algae Production Workshop. The collaboration and sharing of information is significantly moving our industry forward.