Current Status of the Algae Production Industry in Europe: An Emerging Sector of the Blue Bioeconomy

Abstract

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy aims to support the sustainable growth and development of the EU bio-based sectors while creating jobs, innovation and services. Despite the recognized potential of the algae biomass value chain, significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding the dimension, capability, organization and structure of the algae production in Europe. This study presents and analyses the results of a comprehensive mapping and detailed characterization of the algae production at the European scale, encompassing macroalgae, microalgae, and the cyanobacteria Spirulina. This work mapped 447 algae and Spirulina production units spread between 23 countries, which represents an important addition to the reported number of algae producing countries. More than 50% of these companies produce microalgae and/or Spirulina. Macroalgae production is still depending on harvesting from wild stocks (68% of the macroalgae producing units) but macroalgae aquaculture (land-based and at sea) is developing in several countries in Europe currently representing 32% of the macroalgae production units. France, Ireland, and Spain are the top 3 countries in number of macroalgae production units while Germany, Spain, and Italy stand for the top 3 for microalgae. Spirulina producers are predominantly located in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. Algae and Spirulina biomass is directed primarily for food and food-related applications including the extraction of high-value products for food supplements and nutraceuticals. Algae production in Europe remains limited by a series of technological, regulatory and market-related barriers. Yet, the results of this study emphasize that the European algae sector has a considerable potential for sustainable development as long as the acknowledged economic, social and environmental challenges are addressed.

Seaweeds as Valuable Sources of Essential Fatty Acids for Human Nutrition

“…This species holds a high economic value due to its rich nutritional value and human health promoting properties, which stirred the attention of the worldwide food market [ 50 ]. However, the cultivation of this species in European waters is not legally allowed, due to their non-indigenous character and invasive behavior [ 51 ]. As a result, this invasive species cannot be grown in non-native ecosystems; still, it can be harvested from coastal areas and directly or indirectly introduced into the daily human diet.…”

Priming of Marine Macrophytes for Enhanced Restoration Success and Food Security in Future Oceans

“…Marine macrophytes, including seagrasses and macroalgae, form the foundational basis of some of the most productive and diverse coastal marine ecosystems on the planet (Larkum et al, 2006;Costanza et al, 2014;Klinger, 2015;Teagle et al, 2017) that provide ecosystem services worth US$ 28.9 ha −1 year −1 (Costanza et al, 2014). Moreover, macroalgae, traditionally cultivated in Asia (Chopin, 2017;Hu et al, 2021) at an annual value of US$ 13.3 billion (FAO, 2020), are increasingly recognized in Europe and America as a target for a new, highly profitable, and environmentally sustainable bioeconomy (Skjermo et al, 2014;Stévant et al, 2017;Grebe et al, 2019;Araújo et al, 2021).…”

Pigment Production under Cold Stress in the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

“…Nevertheless, many microalgal products, especially oil for biofuels, are still far from commercial realization due to the cost of production. Moreover, for countries situated in the Northern Hemisphere, a major factor that hinders algal growth in open raceway ponds is a seasonal limitation for optimal growth [30][31][32]. If cultivation can be performed under sub-optimal temperatures by shifting to a different product that accumulates better under this condition, there will be a better use of facilities and land area.…”