CleanAlgae2Value
Demonstrating a cost competitive, sustainable, scalable intensified micro-algae bioprocess for the production of food-grade medium value, carbon negative Ingredients exceeding Market Standards
Project details
- Type of project
- Innovation Action - Demonstration
- Project focus
- Food, feed & cosmetics
- Feedstock origin
- Aquatic
- Feedstock type
- Micro/macro algae
- Project period
- 1 October 2025 - 30 September 2029
- Status
- Upcoming
- CBE JU Contribution
- € 7 483 217,75
- Call identifier
- HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024
Summary
Microalgae hold significant potential for the European bioeconomy. However, challenges remain in their widespread market acceptance, particularly in terms of taste, texture, and functionality. The CleanAlgae2Value project aims to overcome these barriers by using a cascading approach to extract medium-value ingredients from white microalgae, such as protein isolates, oils, natural pigments and starch.
The project will develop a scalable "Micro-Algae Biorefinery Upgrade Module" (MABUM) to optimise biorefinery performance and produce food-grade ingredients at a cost-effective, carbon-negative scale. These ingredients will be used to create 15 prototypes for the food and bio-based packaging markets.
CleanAlgae2Value expects to boost market competitiveness by reducing production costs. It will also assess the environmental, economic and societal impacts, while supporting regulatory approvals where required.
- Develop and scale the Micro-Algae Biorefinery Upgrade Module (MABUM) to produce 9.08 tonnes of bio-based ingredients for food and packaging.
- Demonstrate a sustainable, cost-effective production process for microalgae-derived ingredients, improving efficiency and reducing production costs by 75%, while achieving carbon reduction through CO2 usage.
- Optimise bio-based processes to make production more competitive and sustainable compared to existing alternatives.
- Validate 10 ingredients in 13 food prototypes and two packaging products, ensuring market readiness and consumer acceptance.
- Create 15 new bio-based value chains for food and packaging, meeting both market and regulatory requirements.
- Convert CO2, green H2, and white microalgae into 10 valuable bio-based ingredients.
- Secure one letter of intent (LOI) with a local feedstock supplier.
- Achieve nearly 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional ingredients.
- Involve the public and secure market uptake for at least seven bio-based ingredients, with agreements from two manufacturers.
- Introduce at least two new products with bio-based ingredients to the market within five years.
Consortium map
Project coordination
- SOLMEGIA MONOPROSOPI I.K.E. Athens, Greece
Consortium
- DELTA ANONYMI VIOMICHANIKI KAI EMPORIKI ETAIREIA TROFIMON MONOPROSOPI A.E. AGIOS STEFANOS, Greece
- CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION LIMITED LBG Redcar Cleveland, United Kingdom
- CENTRO NACIONAL DE TECNOLOGIA Y SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA San Adrián, Spain
- EROSKI SCOOP Elorrio, Spain
- BEVO, biotehnoloske resitve, d.o.o Domžale, Slovenia
- BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW Desteldonk Gent, Belgium
- MAGFI LTD ZURRIEQ, Malta
- KNOELL GERMANY GMBH Mannheim, Germany
- DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- AUZO LAGUN S. COOP ARRASATE MONDRAGON, Spain
- Hooked Foods AB STOCKHOLM, Sweden
- EURO-FUNDING EU PROJECTS SOCIEDAD LIMITADA Madrid, Spain
- NUEVAS TECNOLOGIAS PARA EL DESARROLLO DE PACKAGING Y PRODUCTOS AGROALIMENTARIOS CON COMPONENTE PLASTICA SL Zaragoza, Spain
- CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB GOTEBORG, Sweden
