The Future of Microalgae: Arborea’s Innovative Approach to Sustainable Production

The field of microalgae has garnered significant interest over the years, particularly for its potential to produce eco-friendly products. However, many startups have faltered in their attempts to capitalize on these microscopic organisms. Notable failures—including Joule Biotechnologies and Solazyme—prompt the question: What sets Arborea apart as it forges ahead with its ambitious plans?

Julian Melchiorri, founder of Arborea, offered insights into the company’s strategy in a recent interview with AgFunderNews. Reflecting on his beginnings, Melchiorri admitted that his youthful enthusiasm for microalgae as a universal solution to produce carbon-neutral products has evolved into a more pragmatic approach.

“The industry was overly focused on the microorganisms themselves,” Melchiorri explained. “However, we examined the entire production process and realized that the upstream systems and their associated costs posed significant challenges.” By addressing these systemic challenges, Arborea aims to lead a new era in photosynthetic innovations.

Revolutionary Low-Cost Production Systems

Arborea utilizes a patented method that incorporates gas-permeable membranes made from recycled plastics. This innovative design allows microalgae to efficiently absorb sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide without the need for pressurization.

Melchiorri is confident that their approach can effectively mitigate issues faced by existing methodologies, such as contamination found in open pond systems: “These methods can yield unreliable results due to their susceptibility to environmental factors,” he stated. Arborea’s closed-system technology enables them to maintain optimal growing conditions with low energy consumption, resulting in a capital expenditure that’s ten times lower than traditional tubular photobioreactor systems.

Unlocking Diverse Microalgae Potential

Arborea’s system enables the cultivation of a wide range of photosynthetic microorganisms. Currently focusing on Arthrospira platensis (spirulina), the company has developed a unique strain that boasts desirable characteristics like a pleasant taste, vibrant color, and exceptional solubility, appealing to a variety of markets.

“With our technology, we can effectively harness the full array of over 30,000 photosynthetic microorganisms in nature,” Melchiorri asserted, emphasizing their capability to grow species that are typically challenging to cultivate.

Carbon Sequestration at Atmospheric Pressure

Comparing Arborea’s method to more traditional protein production methodologies—such as sugar and gas fermentation—Melchiorri pointed out the drawbacks in both regarding input costs and environmental impact. He proudly noted, “We are pioneering a process that allows us to sequester CO2 at atmospheric pressure,” making their operation both sustainable and economical.

Functional and Versatile Protein Solutions

The commercial facility in Portugal, expected to begin operations in 2027, will produce competitively priced protein and blue pigments, as outlined by global commercial director Dr. Kaly Chatakondu. The processed spirulina protein features remarkable attributes: it’s water-soluble, neutral in taste, and offers exceptional foaming and emulsifying properties.

“We’ve optimized our extraction process to enhance both the functionality and nutritional value,” Chatakondu highlighted. As a result, Arborea is already engaging in development agreements with major corporations to explore potential collaborations in product extraction and applications.

In Conclusion

Arborea’s innovative approach to the cultivation and application of microalgae has the potential to reshape the industry. By addressing fundamental challenges and leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company is poised to make significant strides in the realm of sustainable food and bioactive ingredient production.

Further Reading:

• Lessons from the Great Algae Biofuel Bubble
• Learn more about Arborea