New project promotes the use of microalgae in the circular economy

The pressing global challenges of climate change place significant demands on the bioeconomy. Algae can grow very rapidly and produce sustainable biomass, which can be used for example for food, feed or as a source of chemicals and fuels. Algae can therefore be classified as a third generation of sustainable biomass.

Although algae-based industrial applications have been gaining international attention, the development of the algae sector in Finland has been slow, mainly due to the challenges of cultivating algae in the cold and dark northern climate. High production costs have been a major bottleneck in the commercialisation of algae biomass-based applications.

The AlgaCircle project, coordinated by the University of Turku, has received over 1 Mil € funding from Business Finland's co-research programme to promote the use of microalgae in the circular bioeconomy. The project is part of the Food 2.0 programme led by Valio Oy, which aims to create a food system in Finland where growth and added value are built on the basis of sustainable production. Other industry participants in the AlgaCirlce project include Oksasen Puutarha, GMM Finland Oy, Aircohol, Berner Industries, and Versa Elements.

"The primary goal of the AlgaCircle project is to establish a whole value chain and develop an innovative circular concept for producing food, feed, and agrichemicals from microalgae. For example, the research will identify suitable applications for different algae species and utilize industrial effluent to develop the most effective algae cultivation methods for companies to adopt, tells Prof. Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, the consortium's coordinator at the University of Turku.

The project will utilise the newly opened AlgaTech center, located in the University of Turku's Ruissalo Botanical Garden. The AlgaTech facility features several large photobioreactors, including a 1000-liter unit, and downstream facilities.

"We are aiming to expand algal applications to the food and feed sector," explains senior researcher Dr. Sema Sirin.

Food 2.0: growth from the circular economy

Valio is leading the Food 2.0 research, development and innovation programme, having been selected by Business Finland as the lead company. The programme, set to run for five years, will receive €20 million in funding from Business Finland to support Food 2.0 projects within Valio's partner network.

Valio's role is to initiate and lead large-scale cooperation, research and development projects with both existing and new partners.

Together with its partner network, Valio aims to generate an additional €100 million in R&D investment in Finland over five years, and to increase food system-related exports by more than €1 billion in the years following the project.

"Maintaining a high level of hygiene in food production requires regular washing of equipment, which inevitably generates waste water, including product residues and therefore nutrients. It is particularly rewarding to be involved in developing circular economy technologies that allow for a more efficient circulation of these nutrients and a reduced waste water load, while at the same time producing valuable ingredients for food, feed and agricultural use. Capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air through a Direct Air Capture unit for algae cultivation is also a very interesting opportunity for reducing carbon dioxide emissions," says Antti-Pekka Partonen, Senior Research Scientist at Valio.

More information:

Professori Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, Turun yliopisto, [email protected], +358 50 3506181

Senior Research Scientist Antti-Pekka Partonen, Valio. Interview requests via Valio Mediadesk [email protected]