Project News

Using waste nutrients to cultivate microalgae – Swansea team publishes new peer-review paper

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A Swansea University team has published a new article, detailing a novel approach to reuse food and farm waste at an industrial scale, using microalgae. The paper explains the ways in which algae can be cultivated using excess nutrients, the optimum two-step approach used to maximise productivity, and how this biomass is optimally suited for use as an animal feed ingredient. Implementation of circular approaches in industry, by minimising waste and optimising reuse of resources, is of critical environmental importance. Microalgal cultures are particularly adept at waste remediation, and are also incredibly versatile in how they can be processed and applied. This article explains in more detail how the ALG-AD team have demonstrated the ability of microalgae to remediate organic waste at an industrial scale. Read More

Circular Economy in action: Using digestate to cultivate microalgae for fish and animal feed

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ALG-AD is exploring ways to develop a circular approach to microalgae cultivation, utilising the by-products from the AD/biogas industry, to generate products of value for another. The team has built three facilities that are already using the nutrients in digestate to cultivate microalgae. So far, the ALG-AD team has focussed on the production of biomass for use as animal feed, however additional funding has been allocated to the team to expand on the work already done to also cultivate algae for use as fish feed. Read More

ALG-AD exhibition - Derval experimental farm

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ALG-AD exhibition at Derval experimental farm (FR) presented at AC3A General Assembly to 27 presidents and directors of Chambers of Agriculture part of the network On 8th October 2020, AC3A brought together its members – representatives of the Chambers of Agriculture – for its Annual General Assembly. At the heart of the discussions: innovation, with a focus on several European projects including the ALG-AD project dedicated to the cultivation of microalgae grown on digestate. Read More

ALG-AD at the World Biogas Summit 2020

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Dr Alla Silkina and Professor Lynsey Melville presented ALG-AD in the Research and Innovation hub at the World Biogas Expo 2020 this week. https://www.biogastradeshow.com/innovationhub/ Information about our work was shared with an international audience, including the latest results on digestate processing, algal cultivation and the exciting compounds found within the algae grown on digestate. Read More

Circular Economy in Wales – latest developments

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The Circular Economy Research and Innovation Group (CERIG) Wales met last week to share project and policy updates, as well as to consider the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Representatives from Welsh Government updated the group on national regulation developments, and current CE consultation processes, seeking feedback on proposals to:- • move towards zero waste by 2050 • scrutinise how we use resources • encourage the reuse, repair and remanufacture products and materials • maximise the economic and social opportunities of a more circular economy. Participants also considered implications for UK businesses of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan, for example, the mandatory requirements to increase the sustainability of goods and services, and how this might be approached. Read More