Microalgae Aqualgae II

With Portuguese DNA, Aqualgae is headquartered in Coruña (Spain) and has a manufacturing center in Viana do Castelo (Portugal).

The company is mainly dedicated to the design and manufacture of photobioreactors for the production of microalgae, and the supply of services in essential areas of aquaculture, such as the automation of processes and systems, the installation of equipment and sensors, and the development of platforms monitoring and control.

After the first campaign in which the promoter raised 60.000€ to manufacture tubular borosilicate glass photobioreactors, the funds raised through this campaign will be used to develop the prototype of the first modular micro-algae micro-factory in reused containers.

A mini-factory consists of a second-hand reused shipping container with photovoltaic plates on the roof for self-consumption of electricity, two photobioreactors for microalgae production, materials, and equipment needed to produce the microalgae, and remote communication technology to offer customer support.

The widespread uncertainty felt in logistics chains worldwide, and the most recent episodes that compromise geographic mobility, make it mandatory to find solutions that expedite the shipment of equipment and machines, that can be used as plug-and-play solutions, without the need for final installation or on-site demonstrations of operation. These types of equipment should be installed and activated by the end user and operated remotely if necessary. Use, maintenance, and repair should be available through hands-on instructions or remote support.

Microalgae are a sustainable source of proteins and PUFA fat acids, essential for the aquaculture industry, and increasingly used in food and feed, agriculture, cosmetics, and other applications.

This is why Aqualgae intends to develop modular plug-and-play solutions with state-of-the-art technology to be connected with the customer, provide remote assistance and help remotely anywhere in the world. The micro-factory will be partially automated, will have a gateway to access real-time data in the cloud, and will feature a remote assistance and management platform, records, and operational intelligence.

The construction of this prototype will last about 6 months, and operational testing will last at least another 6 months. The first sales are expected after its construction and validation, through dissemination on social networks, trade shows, and on the company's website.