SpiralG

As individual algae can produce a number of valuable products, the overarching objective of the SpiralG project is to build an algal biorefinery capable of taking advantage of the various components and their intermediate metabolites, and hence maximising the value derived from the biomass feedstock. More specifically, SpiralG intends to build a demonstration plant with an anticipated production capacity of several MT of phycocyanin per year and tentatively a few MT of enriched amino-acid and carbohydrates co-products.

Each project partner has its own specific objective:

• Greensea wishes to acquire and deploy a new blue pigment production line that would eventually  reach an output of 10 metric tonnes per year, which represents TRL 8 and the possibility of becoming a flagship project;
• Milis seeks to build a microalgae pilot plant with lower labour requirements, enhanced phycocyanin content, lower nutrient consumption and increased reliance on renewable energy; 
• Algaia and Mial wish to apply novel extraction technologies at laboratory and pilot scale with a view to further industrial development

The SpiralG project expects to deliver the following impacts:

• Connecting Spirulina with biorefineries by producing not only phycocyanin for the food market but also several other Spirulina fractions as raw materials;
• Establishing a new value chain that ranges from microalgae cultivation to phycocyanin co-products, by establishing an integrated co-extraction pathway between partners;
• Develop a range of bio-based extracts suitable for their use in consumer products including pet food, plant health and potentially disease prevention in humans;
• Identify ways to produce phycocyanin at a competitive price by increasing the production scale and overall quality level while reducing costs across the board;
• Highlight the potential of developing a Spirulina value chain in coastal areas willing to produce a natural product with a sustainable perspective;
• Encourage microalgae production processes using increasingly levels of renewable energy sources, such as solar, biogas heating and photovoltaic panels, able to decrease the overall carbon footprint.