In Spain, a consortium has been formed with the aim of developing food compounds and pigments from algae.
Dubbed “Algae for a Healthy World,” the group is comprised of AINIA, the Centre for Biological Research, Endesa, Mar Cristal Marilum, Neoalgae Micro Seaweed Products, Novatec, and the University of Cádiz.
Endesa is the leader of the group, while the University of Cádiz is technical coordinator. The multidisciplinary group’s charter is to “generate new products and to increase the profitability of microalgae cultivation technology on an industrial scale, and to establish Spain as a leader in the production of these bioproducts.” The group will work to develop tools to improve and optimize biomass production and study antioxidants and other products from microalgae, principally strains of Spirulina, Nannochloropsis gaditana and Pyrocistis
The European Union’s European Regional Development fund is financing the consortium with a budget of €1 million for two years. Endesa will validate any findings at its pilot facility in Carboneras.