Operational microalgae facility utilizing 'biosolar leaf' technology, as announced by Arborea, set for activation in 2027.
In a groundbreaking development, Arborea, a leading biotech company, has raised €17 million ($20 million) for its operations, combining grants and equity funding [1]. The company's innovative technology promises to revolutionise the cultivation of photosynthetic microalgae, offering numerous benefits over traditional methods.
At the heart of Arborea's technology is the use of gas permeable membranes made from recycled plastic, which allow microalgae to absorb sunlight and atmospheric CO₂ directly, without the need for pressurisation or concentration [2]. This closed system tightly controls culture conditions, effectively eliminating contamination risks and ensuring consistent, high-quality biomass production.
Compared to open ponds, which are prone to contamination and inconsistent productivity, Arborea’s approach offers a solution by maintaining a closed and controllable environment. Unlike conventional closed photobioreactors, which also minimise contamination but come with high capital expenditure (capex) and operational costs, Arborea’s system achieves similar control with a capex that is about 10 times lower and operates with virtually zero energy input [2].
This cost efficiency and operational simplicity mark a significant improvement over existing methods, making large-scale adoption more feasible. The technology's potential to unlock new applications in nutrition, feed, bioplastics, and sustainable fuel sources could transform how photosynthetic microbes like microalgae are cultivated worldwide [2].
Arborea's initial focus is on growing Arthrospira platensis, more commonly known as spirulina, with a special strain that provides a clean-tasting, water-soluble protein. The company's new facility in Portugal, set to be operational in 2027, will produce protein and blue pigments at competitive prices [1].
The spirulina protein produced by Arborea boasts foaming, gelling, and emulsifying properties, and an excellent amino acid profile, opening up multiple applications in human food and petfood [1]. Moreover, the technology sequesters CO₂ at atmospheric pressure and releases oxygen in the process of converting sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic biomass.
Arborea's technology also addresses the challenges faced by open ponds and other closed indoor and outdoor photobioreactor systems, such as contamination, consistency, high capex, and large operational costs. The company is currently building a commercial-scale plant in Portugal to produce proteins, pigments, and other high-value ingredients from photosynthetic microalgae.
In addition, Arborea's technology can grow any of the 30,000+ photosynthetic microorganisms available in nature, setting it apart from open ponds and tubular photobioreactors. The company is also discussing the extraction of the natural blue color from spirulina with large multinationals [1].
Founded by Julian Melchiorri, who previously pitched his technology as an air purification system, Arborea's innovations continue to make waves in the biotech industry. With its focus on sustainability, scalability, efficiency, and environmental impact, Arborea's patented process stands poised to drive a photosynthetic microbial revolution.
References: [1] Arborea. (2022). Arborea raises €17 million to revolutionise microalgae cultivation. Retrieved from https://www.arborea.tech/news/arborea-raises-17-million-to-revolutionise-microalgae-cultivation [2] Arborea. (2022). How Arborea's Technology Works. Retrieved from https://www.arborea.tech/technology/how-arborea-works
- Arborea's innovative technology, rooted in environmental science, combines cutting-edge technology with recycled plastic to revolutionize the cultivation of photosynthetic microalgae, addressing challenges such as contamination, inconsistent productivity, and high costs in traditional methods.
- This advanced technology, pioneered by Arborea, has the potential to expand its applications beyond microalgae cultivation, embracing areas like nutrition, feed, bioplastics, and sustainable fuel sources, thereby transforming the global landscape of environmental science.
