When the SCALE plant opened in Baillargues, southern France, it became the world's first fully integrated microalgae biorefinery, producing natural active ingredients for the food supplement, feed and cosmetics sectors. Co-funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and led by French SME Microphyt, the project set out to reduce dependency on fossil-based resources by tapping into the vast, largely unexploited diversity of microalgae.
Since the project's completion in May 2025, the biorefinery has kept building on that foundation. It now has the capacity to produce more than 100 tonnes of ingredients a year. Microphyt uses its own proprietary CAMARGUE photobioreactor technology, which cultivates a wide range of microalgae species and extracts their active compounds through an energy-efficient, zero-waste process.
From lab to shelf
The biorefinery now supplies a growing range of nutrition and wellness products. Brainphyt™, GamePhyt™ and PhaeOptim™ which aim to support cognition, hearing and digestion respectively, while PhycoSi™ and PhycoAge™ contribute to protecting the skin against ageing. PhycoSi™ is notable for being a co-product of the biorefinery's other ingredients, reflecting Microphyt's broader commitment to making full use of the entire microalgae biomass rather than a single extracted compound. Several clinical studies now support the efficacy of these solutions, and the company continues to develop new products as it deepens its work with partners across the food, feed and cosmetics value chains.
With this biorefinery, we are bringing an ambitious vision to life: an industrial model rooted in sustainability, innovation, and the power of microalgae. SCALE is far more than a technological project; it is a concrete response to major contemporary challenges in health and well-being, ecological transition, and industrial sovereignty. We are proud to drive this momentum from France and to actively contribute to the European bioeconomy.
Vincent Usache, Chief Executive Officer, Microphyt
A model for rural, SME-led growth
Beyond its product pipeline, SCALE has become a reference case for how a single SME-led flagship investment can anchor economic activity in a rural, coastal region. The plant provides 40 direct jobs and has generated around 200 indirect jobs in logistics, transport and other local services. It is also creating new career pathways for young professionals in engineering, R&D and production roles that are more commonly found in urban industrial hubs.
