Joint Venture Agreement for the Production, Promotion and Marketing of Biofuels from Algae via Nano-Emulsion & Polarization Technology
April 19th 2012 marked a memorable day in Algaetech’s path to becoming a global leader in algae, as Algaetech Sdn Bhd and BATC Development Bhd signed a Joint Venture Agreement for the Production, Promotion and Marketing of Biofuels from Algae via Nano-Emulsion & Polarization Technology. The BIONAS team headed by Executive Chairman Mohd Safi’e M. Jaffri visited the Algaetech Head Office and Laboratory at Technology Park Malaysia.
BIONAS Chief Executive Officer Ms. Zurina Amnan and Algaetech CEO Mr. Syed Isa Syed Alwi signed the Joint Venture Agreement that sees the link-up of the two Malaysian companies in the development and implementation of large scale algae bio-fuels production with Malaysian technology and knowhow. The Nano-emulsion Technology sees the blending of fossil fuel, algae feed stock and specific types of chemicals which are mixed to form stable bonds and create B20 Biofuels and B10-B25 Bio Jetfuel.
Bionas Agropolitan Technology Corridor Development Berhad or better known as BATC Development Berhad is a Malaysian public-listed company incorporated in 2004 and operates under its tradename “BIONAS”. The company’s objective was to promote Jatropha Curcas planting for fuel production as well as to generate wealth creation within the Malaysian Economy. Its assets portfolio in Malaysia consists of over 790,000 acres planted areas, 3.3 million acres land bank, 313 nurseries and collection centers, 4 pressing mills, and 2 processing& blending plants as well as storage facilities.
BIONAS’ production capacities to date are 2.5 million tons of seeds, 0.85 million tons of Crude Jatropha Oil (CJO), 1.7 Million tons of seed cakes (bio‐mass) and 8.5 Million tons of Jatropha based “Drop‐In” additives which in return are able to produce 85 Million tons of bio‐fuels. BIONAS has extended its global presence in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Taiwan, China, Kenya, Pakistan, Middle East, Ethiopia, Sudan and Nigeria, and has recently expanded into North and South America.
Algaetech Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian-based holding company that was founded in 2004 by current CEO, Syed Isa Syed Alwi. The company specializes in microalgae research and development as well as consultancy services, technology providing and has various industrial partnerships and research collaborations around the world. The adaptability of Algaetech’s services and offerings has attracted companies from various countries all over Asia, such as South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia; who are interested in incorporating algae systems into their industrial activities.
Algaetech aims to be a turnkey company in the field of algae technology and intends to provide their clients with the choice of a range of possible solutions to help them achieve a greener future. The company has received various awards for its dedication to sustainability and green technology.
Trieste Conference Considers Algae in Developing Economies
The International Centre for Science and High Technology (ICS-UNIDO) presented an Expert Group Meeting on Emerging Technologies for the Production of Biofuels and Chemicals from Algae, March 19-21, in Trieste, Italy. The basic issues discussed related to the questions: will algae shape the future of biomass; and if it does, what are the steps to be taken to assist emerging nations into making this a reality?
The meeting, held in the high AREA Science Park, on the border triangle of Slovania, Italy and Austria, included representatives from Malaysia, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, and other specialists of the ICS UNIDO organization. The participants were all experts in the field of algae biomass valorization technologies.
A primary objective in holding this conference was to recognize that many developing countries rely primarily on biomass to satisfy their energy needs. For some countries biomass has been the starting point of a strong industrial development, such as palm oil in Malaysia and sugar cane in Brazil.
First generation biofuels have been widely criticized for their land and water use and for causing food prices to increase. It is therefore essential, noted the conference leaders, that their further development is carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
To that end, this program on utilization and valorization of biomass focused on processes and technologies for production of next-generation biofuels and added value products from non-food crops – such as algae and ligno-cellulosic biomass – and biowaste feedstocks, in particular agricultural, industrial and forestry waste. Special attention was dedicated to innovative biomass conversion and waste treatment technologies relying on the application of thermochemical, chemical catalytic and biochemical methods, and biorefineries.
The program’s presentations and activities all aimed at establishing the relevant innovation, R&D, and production capacities in developing countries to enable them to build sustainable low-carbon chemical and biofuel industries of the future. Participants also conferred to identify the first list of partners for the new network of institutions on algae biomass valorization for future activities and discussed potential cooperation initiatives between ICS, UNIDO, institutions in developing countries, and other partners.
Bio Borneo 2012
THE inaugural Bio-Borneo 2012 exhibition here has received an overwhelming response from exhibitors, comprising mostly bioindustry players from all over the country.
More than 40 booths, exhibiting products of biotech research and development from both the government and private sectors, were erected at the Pullman Hotel.
The three-day exhibition, which lasts until today, is a good opportunity for visitors to witness the latest technology and research advances in the biotechnology industry as well as participate in business matching sessions.
Jointly organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), the Bio-Borneo aims to increase public awareness and understanding about biotechnology.
“Bio-Borneo is part of the Bioeconomy Initiatives that specifically focuses on driving the biotechnology innovation agenda forward inBorneo,” said Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.
He said the Bio-Borneo would be made an annual event, withSabahhosting one next year.
Apart from the bioindustry exhibition, the event here also includes a biotechnology seminar and business matching session.
Bio-Borneo also has activities to create awareness on science and technology through an interactive school programme MyBio@School at the venue, and MyBio Carnival held concurrently at the Hills shopping mall.
Apart from the bioindustry exhibition, the event here also includes a biotechnology seminar and business matching session
Bio-Borneo also has activities to create awareness on science and technology through an interactive school programme MyBio@School at the venue, and MyBio Carnival held concurrently at the Hills shopping mall.
International Algal Summit
An International Algal Summit on “Algae for Sustainable Development” was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Indian Phycological Society onFebruary 21-22, 2012, at theTERIUniversity,New Delhi. The event was sponsored by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and by Reliance Industries. The summit was attended by over 100 Indian participants, both from academia and corporates, and 10 overseas participants fromBrazil,Poland,Japan,Israel,USA,Australia,Belgium, andMalaysia. The issues discussed during the summit addressed the role and potential of algae for various crucial applications that would make a sustainable impact in today’s society. Biofuels from algae, marine farming of macroalgae, carbon sequestration, nutraceutical and protein supplements from algae, gene applications of microalgae, and, effluent remediation were some of the main topics discussed at the summit.
Algae biofuels was a main topic of discussion in view of the renewable energy interests, depleting energy reserves and energy independence concerns. The potential of algae for biofuels in terms of its fast growth rate, lipid yield (10-200 times higher than oil crops) and magnitude to match our energy needs was discussed. Sea water because of its abundance and free supply, and, waste water found interest as water sources for algal cultivation. Point source carbon dioxide was also realized to be of added value for algae growth, and was discussed as tie up with carbon sequestration. Land requirement is among the lowest of any liquid transportation fuel investigated for the future, and could be strategically placed in a country’s land mass. The need to lower the cost of growth systems and the implications of petroleum price were discussed in relation to the cost competitiveness of algal biofuels. The present state growth systems, open and closed, areas with potential for advancements in the future, on-going work on lower infrastructure costs, and value addition from by-products (protein, nutraceuticals, oxygen) were presented. Harvesting of microalgae remains a main challenge. Auto-flocculation, electro-flocculation and filtration were some of the technology areas discussed to address this.
The potential of macroalgae (seaweeds) was discussed as they have 10 times higher biomass yield than corn. Macroalgae have food and medicinal applications. They are also used in tooth paste, ice creams, textile printing, plywood, packaging, etc. A case study based onlakeChilika, Orissa, was reported. Macroalgae helped restore the affected ecosystem of the lake and transformed the livelihood of the coastal population that found a business model in its sustainable cultivation. Similar studies illustrated the socioeconomic transformation potential of macroalgae.
H.E. Ambassador Manish Uprety (Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition -IIMSAM) highlighted that Spirulina had been identified as the prime candidate to address global malnutrition by his UN panel. He stressed on awareness for more widespread mass cultivation of Spirulina. A plenary lecture was presented on transferring microalgal omega-3 acid genes to terrestrial oil crops to make omega-3 fatty acids available in the main-stream vegetable oils. Microalgae were also reported for their anti-cancer and anti-diabetic potential.
Algae, being a fast growing plant, was discussed as an important candidate for carbon sequestration. The effect of increased carbon dioxide concentration in growth medium, facility construction around power plant emissions, and species that can handle increased acidity, temperature and sulphur concentration were discussed. Dr. Prakash Hirani (National Thermal Power Corporation) mentioned about the plans of NTPC along with Indian Oil Corporation in setting up raceway ponds for carbon dioxide capture at their gas based power plant atFaridabad. Algae for waste water treatment in conjunction with using waste water as free nutrient and water source for its growth was stressed as an important dual potential to consider. A case study on bioremediation of organic textile dye effluent was also presented.
Dr. Diels Ludo (Vito,Belgium) presented his company’s two dimensional gas chromatography technique for algae screening and Integrated Permeate Channel (IPC) filtration technique for microalgae harvest. TERI and Vito are also in the process of establishing a joint lab to work on biomass research with algae as one of the main focus. Representatives from Reliance Industries, Birla group and Dupont were part of the conference delegates.
A poster session was arranged on the first day evening giving a chance to network and discuss in leisure the various topics covered at the summit. A total of 42 posters were presented, highlighting research being pursued in different areas.
Blue green algae was highlighted for its biofertilizer applications. Its potential as agricultural pesticide, antibacterial agent in aquaculture, and to control harmful algal blooms was also presented. Algae that live on extreme habitats were discussed with respect to defence applications and implications on life outside Earth. Combining the culture collections in the three Indian repositories reported in the summit add up to more than 3500 strains for the various algal applications discussed. AdvancedDNAbarcoding for species identification was reported.
Dr. Syed Isa Ali (Algaetech,Malaysia) talked about his company’s success in setting up large scale microalgae cultivation facilities for food and nutraceutical applications in various parts of the world. By his project experiences he stressed that viable high-tech reliable facilities could be set up. He was upbeat that the same can be done for biofuels in due course of time.
The summit presented an informative picture of the wide range of applications of algae, their role in sustainable development, on-going research and commercial activities, and future prospects and pathways. It established new networking and partnership potential between delegates and organizations of various disciplines.
Algaetech Awarded Gold Category in International Arch of Europe Award
