Algenics joins program to develop the use of microalgae in industry
The marine bioresources company, headquartered in Nantes, France, hopes that support from Algohub will help develop its R&D capacity so that it can react quicker to the demands of its industrial partners.
“This partnership constitutes a first step along the way to wider recognition of the depth and solidity of our know-how and technologies,” said Morgan Cabigliera, president and co-founder of Algenics.
The Algohub program is led by the Roquette group, headquartered in Lestrem, France, whose work in the production of starch ingredients has recently been complemented by a move into the microalgae domain.
The programme currently brings together 14 industrial and academic players and aims to develop microalgae industrial production processes so their value can be fully exploited by a range of industries.
In joining the programme, Algenics brings with it a grant of €650,000 from OSEO, a French public body that supports innovation and growth in small businesses.
With the support of OSEO, Algohub’s budget totals €28.4 m, €9.7m of which is repayable, according to the company.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Algenics in the framework of Algohub. With its unique expertise in exploiting microalgae in biotechnology, Algenics will enable us to accelerate and optimise our projects, to capitalise fully on the use of these micro-organisms in industry,” said Marie-Hélène Saniz, nutrition director for the Roquette group.
