Algae

Danish start-up secures carbon capture funding for algae omega-3 products

23-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

Danish carbon capture firm Algiecel is to receive funding for a photobioreactor that uses CO2 waste to produce products such as omega-3 oils, protein and biomass for food products.

Wellness Innovations raises €1.2m for fish-free Omega-3 algae oil

20-Jan-2022 By Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

Wellness Innovations, a Dutch producer of algae oil goods, has raised €1.2m in investment for a fish-free future in which Omega-3 is sourced in an environmentally friendly way.

Microalgae startup joins research initiative to spearhead IBD innovation

01-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Microalgae cultivation start-up Yemoja, Ltd. is joining the MIGAL Galilee Research institute to spearhead an extensive, four-year research initiative to identify algae-sourced compounds with the potential to help manage inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel...

Solabia-Algatech launches whole algae β-glucan ingredient

27-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

Israeli firm Solabia-Algatech Nutrition has launched a β-glucan ingredient derived from algal fermentation.

Swedish startup Volta Greentech looks to build world's largest algae factory

31-May-2021 By Jim Cornall

Volta Greentech is producing a feed supplement for cows it says eliminates up to 80% of their methane emissions.

ECJ prevents algae-sourced calcium to be used in organic drinks

12-May-2021 By Will Chu

The European Court of Justice has forbidden the use of algae-derived calcium in organic drinks after judges classed the algae as a mineral and its addition would be at odds with the product’s organic label.

New astaxanthin player debuts armed with ‘dark fermentation’ patent

25-Mar-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new player is on the verge of entering the astaxanthin and other markets with the granting of a patent on a ‘dark fermentation’ process for cultivating Haematococcus pluvialis and other algae species.

Algae extract may act to slow down COVID progression, say researchers

03-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers are drawing attention to the possible role of algae in delaying the onset of COVID-19 by ‘calming’ the ‘cytokine storm (CS),’ an immune overreaction thought to be behind the condition’s more serious symptoms.

Method details new way to extract algae-derived pigments for food supplement use

15-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

A way to extract pigments from microalgae for use in food supplements has been outlined by scientists, who think the method could overcome the difficulties in obtaining such pigments from natural sources.

Kemin’s algae-sourced beta glucan ingredient receives EU Novel Food approval

09-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

Kemin Industries has announced its algae-sourced beta glucan ingredient can be sold on the European market after it received Novel Foods Approval by the European Commission (EC).

Study finds excessive iodine status in macroalgae consumers

20-Nov-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

People in Norway who eat seaweed regularly are likely to have excessive levels of iodine, according to a new report.

Unilever and Algenuity partner on microalgae protein potential

30-Jul-2020 By Jim Cornall

Unilever and biotech start-up Algenuity have announced a new partnership to look at the potential microalgae bring in innovating future foods for Unilever’s plant-based portfolio.

Omega-3s linked to protection against brain damage from particulates exposure

20-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

A novel finding connecting omega-3 levels to protection from cellular damage in the brain caused by fine particulates that might be inhaled adds a new wrinkle in the story of the benefits of these fatty acids, says one of the paper's authors.

Algaia announces plans to accelerate sustainability strategy

07-Jul-2020 By Danielle Masterson

French biomarine company Algaia, SA, just announced it has appointed Frederic Faure, one of the co-founders of the company, as its new CEO. At the top of Faure’s to-do list: Accelerating and expanding the company’s sustainability plan. The new CEO said...

Microalgae start-up rolls out industrial-scale production after ‘influx of demand’

05-Jun-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Israel-based Yemoja has begun industrial-scale production of microalgae at its 1,000 square metre facility.

Making sustainable waves: SeaGrown on its plans for the UK's first offshore seaweed farm

13-May-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Fast-growing, robust, sustainable, nutritious... it even tastes like bacon. Is there no end to seaweed's talents? Meet the firm establishing what it claims is the UK’s first and only commercial offshore seaweed farm.

96% of the globe may have insufficient access by 2100

Could climate change cause DHA omega-3 from oceans to plummet?

04-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Warming oceans may deliver a crushing blow to the production of DHA omega-3 by algae, which would ripple up the food chain and slash the global availability of this critical nutrient by 2100, says a scientific paper. But could rapid advances in plant...

Study: Algae strain could help reduce IBS symptoms

31-Jan-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Consumption of a previously unexplored strain of algae could improve IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, gas and bloating, according to a new study from California.

Editor's Spotlight

Japanese team engineer algae to rapidly produce natural astaxanthin

20-Dec-2019 By Nathan Gray

A new way to produce natural astaxanthin using fast-growing marine algae could help industry meet growing demand, say those behind the project.

GOED: Omega-3s market grew 2.3% in 2018

10-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

The global omega-3s market grew 2.3% in 2018 from the previous year on a tonnage basis, according to a report released by GOED.

Astaxanthin supplement shows promise in brain health category: Two studies

13-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

An antioxidant, astaxanthin has been linked to healthier skin, heart health, joint pain, and now, research suggests it may also reduce depression and stress in healthy subjects as well as improve memory in subjects with mild cognitive decline.

Fat fighting: Can Spirulina supplementation help weight loss?

07-Nov-2019 By Nathan Gray

Dietary intake of Spirulina can significantly reduce body weight, especially in obese individuals, finds a new meta-analysis of clinical data.

Algaia attracts AgTech investment: ‘The algae trend is here to stay’

28-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

French biomarine group Algaia say it is “benefitting from a pool of investors” having announced AgTech firm Sapec will take a 31% stake in the business.

New study sheds more light on blood sugar management properties of algae polyphenols

25-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

Supplementation of capsules containing a polyphenol blend from two types of algae and the mineral chromium picolinate may help normalize blood sugar levels, new study reveals.

Riding on ‘whole food’ trend, AlgaTech launches whole-algae ingredient

13-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

Israeli astaxanthin maker AlgaTech added a new ingredient to its portfolio, the whole-algae AstaPure Arava, named after the desert in which the company grows its microalgae.

New algae player debuts with highly refined EPA ingredient

19-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

Chinese/American company Lyxia has debuted as a new player in the algae omega-3s space with a highly refined EPA ingredient from a photosynthetic strain.

ADM expands presence in algal DHA space with launch of powder form

13-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Archer Daniels Midland Company, or ADM, launched a new powder format for its Onavita DHA algal oil.

Astaxanthin firms BGG, Solix join forces on new, Colorado-based company

17-May-2018 By Hank Schultz

Two players in the astaxanthin realm, Chinese company BGG and US firm Solix Algredients, will combine to form a new ingredient supplier based in Colorado.

Nutraceuticals from microalgae: Many achievements ... but challenges remain

31-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Algae have long been touted as a source of novel functional ingredients and bioactive compounds, and while great progress has been made in commercialising certain nutraceutical ingredients, there are many challenges ahead. In this special edition article...

EU project aims to improve extraction and cultivation of microalgae

31-Jul-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

A new €5m European project aims to make it cheaper and easier to enrich food, nutraceuticals and cosmetics with microalgae.

Algatech aiming for multiple new algae-derived ingredient launches over next few years

16-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Israel’s Algatechnologies is targeting a Q3 launch for a new algae-derived ingredient, with more launches to follow in 2018, the company’s director of marketing and sales told NutraIngredients-USA.

Qualitas hits finish line with launch of algal omega-3 finished products

01-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

After a long road that included figurative famines and an actual flood, Qualitas Health is hitting the market in Texas with a line of finished products featuring its algal omega-3 ingredient.

The photo-fermented combination: Allmicroalgae scales-up microalgae production

24-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Portuguese supplier Allmicroalgae has taken calls to scale up production of microalgae to heart, with a project to combine big-volume fermentation with high-value photosynthesis methods now in swing.

Special edition: Algae

Expert says algae's promise still huge despite disappointments in ingredient development

23-Aug-2016 By Hank Schultz

Algae companies have a habit of over promising and under delivering. According to one longtime expert in the field, that’s almost by default, resulting from the organisms’ almost unlimited potential and the limited ability of current technology to realize...

Iceland-produced astaxanthin debuts in US market

11-Jul-2016 By Hank Schultz

The astaxanthin supply continues to expand as Icelandic manufacturer Algalif has entered full scale production at its facility near Keflavik and has launched a finished goods brand in the US market.

Bühler aims to 'close the global protein gap' with algae, insects and pulses

19-Apr-2016 By Niamh Michail

Swiss giant Bühler has backed a series of research and development (R&D) projects looking at insects, algae and pulses as alternative protein sources.

Portuguese algae business gets a makeover

07-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

Portuguese chlorella player Allma has partially renovated its business model, expanding its production facility and with it the number of algae offerings.

“Our aim with this cooperation is to get food products made with ‘algility’ microalgae into consumers’ hands faster.”

Roquette boosts algae project with beverage partner

01-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

French supplier Roquette has inked a deal with a food and beverage innovator it met at the SIAL food industry trade show last year to develop products for its nascent chlorella microalgae offerings.Fellow French firm Algama won an award for innovation...

Dutch player enters busy Chlorella vulgaris market

09-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Unique cultivation methods and upcoming innovative applications help Nutress stand out in the bustling Chlorella vulgaris market, says the Dutch company.

Qualitas passes milestone with launch of first consumer products featuring its algal EPA oil

21-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Qualitas Health has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of two consumer products that feature the company’s algal-based EPA ingredient branded as Almega PL.

Can chlorella crunch into food? Allma launches microalgae crispy snacks

17-Nov-2014 By Anna Bonar

Portuguese microalgae supplier Allma has debuted cereal-based chlorella pieces as it drives the ingredient beyond food supplement aisles.

Algatech enters deal to boost astaxanthin production with thin-walled tubes

23-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Algatechnologies Ltd. has announced an R&D deal with German company SCHOTT AG to boost the productivity of its closed-tube cultivation system at its plant in the Negev region of southern Israel.

Roquette opens 4-5000 tonne chlorella processing facility in France

13-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

French supplier Roquette has advanced its commitment to the chlorella and algae extract market by inaugurating a 4-5000 tonne a year chlorella facility at its HQ near Lille in northern France, as chlorella continues to move from the shadow of spirulina.

“It is very old. It survived 2-3 mass extinctions on Earth.”

Portuguese player enters chlorella space

02-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

The increasingly busy nutra-algae space has a new player in Portuguese firm Allma which has already bagged ice cream and food concept contracts but is targeting all foods, supplements, cosmetics and feed with a premium version of chlorella.

‘One of the most exciting ingredients we’ve seen in the omega-3 category’: Xsto welcomes Qualitas’ algae-derived ingredient to its portfolio

29-May-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Finished products containing Qualitas Health’s Almega PL omega-3 ingredient will hit the shelves this summer, with a new partnership with Xsto Solutions designed to increase sales reach within the US.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Brown algae: The future of fat-busting salt replacement?

12-May-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Norwegian brown algae is an attractive natural salt replacer for bakery because of its fat-busting punch, says developer Valagro.

Algatech: Functional food on astaxanthin horizon

01-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Israeli firm Algatechnologies will work towards gaining approval for its astaxanthin as a novel food and beverage ingredient in Europe, but first it must meet existing demands and cut prices, it said.

Canadian group floats plan for algal omega-3s from dispersed bioreactors harvesting agricultural waste

21-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Algae promoters usually talk big: Big ponds, banks of bioreactors, chemical process efficiencies and economies of scale. A group in Canada is looking at the other end of the spectrum, harnessing a small scale bioreactor technology and making it simple...

Astaxanthin investment: Algatech more than doubles production capabilities

10-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Increasing demand for natural astaxanthin products has led Israeli algae specialists Algatechnologies to more than double its production capacity, the firm has said.