Currently Fermentalg is looking good microalgae

After the agrofuels, the "algocarburants". It is Fermentalg bet, a very young company of Libourne (Gironde), who lifted this year EUR 2 million and has launched new premises. Its objective is to replace the first generation biofuels, famous agrofuels regularly denounced for come from plants used for human consumption, by biodiesel manufactured from microalgae. Micro-organisms which are an extraordinary performance, because of their ability to grow in the dark. "Compared to conventional algae need of light, and therefore space, those on which we merely volumes 50-100 times less important", insists Magali Siaut, responsible of the cell biology of Fermentalg Department. Unlike French research program Shamash, the energy source is more light, since the algae breed in closed tanks, but a substrate which they feed. "Going from surface to volume production production", summarizes Pierre Calleja, the founder of Fermentalg.

Currently, Fermentalg is looking good microalgae. "There may be 10 million species and known 10,000." "And we think that 10 would be able to develop in the dark," continues Magali Siaut.

, Qui de CES micro-organismes de EST leur Capacité à produire des Lipides qui peuvent de CES, c', which qui de ces micro-organismes de est leur capacité à produire des lipides qui peuvent de ces, c' of these microorganisms of is their ability to produce lipids qui are de ces de ces,, it is leur leur à à à These are some of these lipids that may be used to produce biofuels. A perspective that dream and enthusiasm the funders, the image of Bernard Maître, Chairman of the Board of Emertec, investor in Fermentalg: "large oil tankers not is there are not deceived and have invested heavily in this way, whether with Solazyme Chevron, Exxon with Synthetic Genomic or BP with Martek.". Aquitaine Regional Council also supported the project with a grant of 500,000 euros to the title of the new system of aid to young innovative company.

Other markets that the energy

The nature of lipid, there are other more affluent markets to achieve than energy. First, the aquaculture. This is not a chance if Pierre Calleja, the founder of Fermentalg, is a former Ifremer launched one of the first marine fish farms, where the microalgae are already used to feed farmed fish. "Usually they are produced on farms, with a high cost due to filtration and refrigeration systems." "We will provide these microalgae as a consumable cubed", summarizes Pierre Calleja. The second market is of nutritional supplements, since some microalgae produce Omega-3, trimmed of all virtues by dieticians. Technology becomes more complex, because it not only to identify the good strains, but especially whether extract these precious lipids.

Produce fuel will still request to mount a March. To find the good algae, Fermentalg has an agreement with CEA. Be to establish an industrial process. "It is even more complex than in the field of Omega-3." The process is continuous, operating 24 hours a day and completely controlled by computer. "A perfect master", says the founder of Fermentalg. Society, today working in the modeling of process of production, is also testing to increase lipid production. Another important track, the substrate which these microalgae feed. It will come from by-products of the industry, as for example of cellulose. "We are working on five by-products", merely to explain Pierre Calleja, there again, entered an exclusive agreement with CEA.

What date will Fermentalg able to produce biodiesel "The main problem is to find a cost structure that is consistent with the market," replied cautiously Pierre Calleja. In sum, to be competitive with oil. This will not happen for several years. In the meantime, Fermentalg hopes to capture, as early as 2011, a small portion of the market of Omega-3, which is already several hundreds of millions of euros. Need to find the money to build a production tool and continue research and bringing together a round table of EUR 14 million.