DIVE DEEPER:

• Algae are abundant throughout the world’s oceans and lakes. Approximately 30-50% of all oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by photosynthesising algae.

• The global microalgae market is expected to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2028.

• Algae have been trialled as a renewable energy source consistently throughout the 20th century. So far, reliance on algae as an alternative energy source has not been found to be economically viable for most territories. However, many other applications have emerged.

• Around 447 algae production units currently exist in Europe. Germany, France and Spain host the largest number of microalgae producers in the continent. A variety of species, production methods, and commercial applications have been identified throughout these European countries.

• Algal biomass can be efficiently cultivated and does not need fresh water, fertilisers or land, meaning there is no competition with land-based agriculture.

• Most algae are a normal part of the ecosystem. Phytoplankton, for instance, are a main source of food for fish and other aquatic life, and account for half of the photosynthetic activity on earth. Other algae such as cyanobacteria, however, produce toxins which can harm humans, fish and other animals.

• When algal blooms of harmful species occur, it can cause bans on tap water as it degrades freshwater. It can also release methane as it rots. For this reason, some researchers and designers focus solely on using harmful algae in order to remove it from the water and turn it into a valuable resource.

• Harvested algae are washed, dried and powdered before carbohydrates are extracted and processed in various ways to make materials that can be used for packaging.

• Altering quantities of additives and plasticisers, such as glycerol, enables the properties of the end materials to be controlled; flexibility, transparency and biodegradability can be tailored to suit different applications.

• There are many applications for microalgae: health and beauty company Common Heir uses algae to create biodegradable capsules for its serums; clothing brand Vollebak turned algae into a printable ink to decorate its t-shirts; and Desintegrame is experimenting with algae to create films, sachets and artwork.

• Algae can even be used to create other natural materials. For instance, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a method for using algae to create carbon-neutral or carbon-negative concrete by swapping quarried limestone for biologically grown limestone, which is naturally produced by algae.

• It’s also being researched to unlock more from its original use case: as food. Nestlé is researching microalgae as an alternative source of protein, both as animal feed and food for humans.

• Those specialising in using harmful algae include Bloom. It has used the algae to create foams for footwear brands including Adidas and Vivobarefoot. However, the algae must currently be mixed with plastic, so while it helps to keep water clean and sequester carbon, it is not plastic-free and further development is needed.