Large-scale R&D facility to experiment with microalgae

AlgoSolis is a new public facility of the University of Nantes and the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). AlgoSolis addresses R&D issues related to the advancement of a sustainable microalgae industry by providing the scientific and technological environment for the development of large-scale, controlled and efficient microalgae and related processes. The facility includes a 1,500 m2 biomass production area, a 350 m2 greenhouse, 20 biomass production lines, the possibility to culture microalgae on industrial emissions (flue gas, liquid waste), and a fully equipped downstream processing R&D unit (240 m2) for production of raw and refined microalgae biomass. AlgoSolis addresses several major societal concerns related to global food and fuel shortages and the need for sustainable production materials (i.e. bio-based materials). Algae represent an important means to meet the world's growing food demand. Compared to the production of 'normal' vegetables, algae production is extremely efficient in terms of energy, and algae contain many nutrients. In addition, biofuels and bio-based materials can be produced from microalgae. The AlgoSolis research programme continues to investigate and refine these and related processes, including the screening of algae strains and metabolic optimisation, the development of a high surface-to-volume photobioreactor, and the production of biomass. MELiSSA expertise A MELiSSA partner, the University Blaise Pascal (UBP) of Clermont-Ferrand possesses specific expertise in light transfer, photobioreaction design and engineering, and algae refinery. This expertise has been largely developed over the course of UBP's research in MELiSSA, and is known and recognised by parties involved in AlgoSolis.