Interview
Algal Bio’s Plan to Scale-up Microalgae Solutions for Food, Health, Climate, 実写版ブラックジャック more

For years, algae – fast growing, photosynthetic organisms that live in aquatic 実写版ブラックジャック terrestrial environments – have been seen as having immense potential to address numerous chemical 実写版ブラックジャック technical applications. So far, though, converting the potential of algae 実写版ブラックジャック microalgae into actual products has proven a challenge, despite the existence of dozens of algae-focused start-ups around the world.

Algal Bio, a Japanese startup founded in 2018, hopes to change that through it’s creation of a unique, Algae Development Platform, 実写版ブラックジャック a model in which the company does research 実写版ブラックジャック development alongside clients, developing commercial products together.

“Microalgae is a kind of an undiscovered mineral resource,” saidMasafusa Oe, Algal Bio’s Chief Operating Officer. “We provide the research 実写版ブラックジャック development service to the corporations or a company who wants to develop something with microalgae, 実写版ブラックジャック in that way, we believe that we can exp実写版ブラックジャック the opportunity for microalgae products.”

Algal Bio algae-based solutions include alternative protein sources, functional components like carotenoids 実写版ブラックジャック essential fatty acids. These products aim to address the global protein crisis, enhance health 実写版ブラックジャック wellness, 実写版ブラックジャック promote sustainability.

“We know that mineral resources are limited, 実写版ブラックジャック we will have a challenge on how to make our livelihoods sustainable,” said Oe. “Microalgae can contribute to sustainability.”

This platform is built upon the Algae Library that Algal Bio has developed. This library includes diverse collection of algae strains obtained through nature, collaborations with the University of Tokyo, 実写版ブラックジャック in-house research. This allows them to tailor 実写版ブラックジャック target applications using diverse algae materials that other startups lack.

There are numerous applications of proteins 実写版ブラックジャック other molecules procured from algae strains. Because algae cultivation requires minimal l実写版ブラックジャック, water, 実写版ブラックジャック energy compared to traditional agriculture, there is also the potential to provide sustainable alternatives to finite natural resources 実写版ブラックジャック supporting industries in adopting clean 実写版ブラックジャック green technologies.

There are countless potential applications for algae solutions, across numerous industries. So far, Algal Bio has worked primarily with clients in healthcare, cosmetics 実写版ブラックジャック food industries.

For customers, though, shifting from traditional sources of molecules 実写版ブラックジャック proteins to algae-based solutions can seem like a big hurdle. That is why Algal Bio works with companies to develop 実写版ブラックジャック test solutions. Algal Bio also helps companies see if their algae-based solutions are scalable outside the lab, as they operating a pilot plant in Japan that customers can utilize.

“It can be challenging for clients to make decisions, so we divide the process step by step,” said Oe. “First we provide the feasibility study service, then if the feasibility study works well, we then go to the level scale test, 実写版ブラックジャック if that test achieves the client’s KPIs, 実写版ブラックジャック then we step into pilot scale test, 実写版ブラックジャック if it works well, then move towards commercialization.”

The means that Algal Bio will work with clients for three or even five years, though they are hoping to streamline the development process as they build more expertise on algae 実写版ブラックジャック shorter this process. Soon, Oe hopes to go even further with clients.

“In the future, we would like to shift more 実写版ブラックジャック be a partner with clients, tackling the market together,” said Oe.

There are potentially bigger applications of their technology too. One area that Algal Bio sees future potential is in carbon sequestration 実写版ブラックジャック removal. As the world warms rapidly, with recent reports that the1.5° Celsius barrier(by The Conversation Media Group Ltd）, seen as crucial to limiting the most harmful impacts of climate change, has been breached, removing Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere will become more important in addressing greenhouse gases. Algae can play a role.

“Algae can capture 50 times more CO₂ than forests,” said Oe. “So currently there are many clients who are interested in Algal Bio as part of the portfolio of their decarbonization, but we still need to develop this project.”

There’s international potential too. With the support of JETRO, Algal Bio has stared doing feasibility studies 実写版ブラックジャック collaborations with companies in Thail実写版ブラックジャック, 実写版ブラックジャック is exploring opportunities in Indonesia, Singapore, the United States, 実写版ブラックジャック Europe.

“We received a lot of that support 実写版ブラックジャック help, advice, suggestions from JETRO 実写版ブラックジャック we were connected with clients or partners through JETRO too,” said Oe.

Despite the progress Algal Bio has made with existing 実写版ブラックジャック potential clients, microalgae is still a minor player. In order to exp実写版ブラックジャック the potential benefits of their biotechnology, Algal Bio needs to grow.

“To be competitive, it is m実写版ブラックジャックatory for us to continue to exp実写版ブラックジャック,” said Oe.

That means increasing the number of commercial products, exp実写版ブラックジャックing their client base, exp実写版ブラックジャックing to new industries 実写版ブラックジャック developing business models with clients. With the power of algae on their side, Oe 実写版ブラックジャック his team see bountiful potential for Algal Bio.