Microalgae Aqualgae II

Direct: 

• Reutilization of shipping containers: shipping containers that are no longer of use in transportation can be reused through small repairs. Aqualgae will reuse one second-hand shipping container for the prototype of the first modular microalgae microfactory. 
• Decarbonization of the economy, by avoiding the emission of CO2: the micro-factory will be powered with photovoltaic energy. Solar panels will be installed on an area of approximately 12 x 2,4 m (28,8m2) with a capacity to generate up to 2kWh, enough for the micro-factory's self-consumption, covering the total energy consumed by the LED lighting and temperature control systems integrated in the container.
• Improved productivity through innovation and technological upgrading: compared to traditional methods of producing microalgae in 500L plastic bags or tanks, productivity improvements of at least 500% are expected with this method, with considerable reduction in manual labor demand.

Indirect:

• CO2 absorption: microalgae are responsible for capturing CO2 - for every kg of biomass produced, at least 2 kg of CO2 are absorbed.
• Jobs generation: after the first sales, the promoter can generate 1 or 2 jobs.

Aqualgae is a microalgae engineering and biotechnology company based in Coruña (Spain) with a manufacturing center in Viana do Castelo, in the North of Portugal. It was founded by Pedro Seixas, who is also its current owner and manager. Pedro has almost 20 years of experience working in the aquaculture industry.

At the beginning, the company was dedicated to the construction of photobioreactors for the optimized production of microalgae, which are the primary food of bivalves such as clams, oysters, scallops, clams, and of the larval stages of sea urchins, limpets and shrimp. 

With over 10 years of experience in the aquaculture and microalgae sector, Aqualgae's mission is to innovate and improve the efficiency of the aquaculture industry, particularly the microalgae production systems, in the implementation of automation solutions, increased competitiveness and productivity, greater energy efficiency and consequent improvement in environmental sustainability, and in other industrial sectors that employ microalgae.

Over the past 5 years, Aqualgae has also focused on the development of engineering products and services for other essential areas of aquaculture, such as the automation of processes and systems, installations of equipment and sensors (filtration, pumps, UV, sensors), and the development of monitoring and control platforms.

Now, in the current context of market instability and lack of raw materials and essential goods, it becomes necessary to produce locally from sea and land. The company's new containerized microalgae production systems (micro-factories), are produced by Aqualgae, and in other industrial sectors that employ microalgae. to obtain biofertilizers for agriculture, or to regenerate poorly productive soils. In turn, in a clear example of circular economy, wastewater from hydroponic agriculture or CO2 emitted in wine fermentation processes are the source of nutrients for microalgae. 

The manufacturing and assembly center of the modular systems will be in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

Aqualgae is composed of a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified professionals in areas ranging from mechatronic engineering to industrial electrical installations, and including market specialists. The company also has a network of local suppliers essential for the development of the project, and proximity to several seaports for export of modular systems: Leixões, Viana do Castelo, Vigo, Marin, Corunha (all in Portugal and Spain).