The OCEAN Seaweed Polymer network is developing new solutions that enable an environment friendly production and utilization of macroalgae.
As a renewable raw material, seaweed is suited for industrial processing into bioplastics and for energy production.
The network is using this potential and develops an innovative system that significantly increases the added value of the algae.
The network project focuses on three development areas
SEAWEED OCEAN FARM
The off-shore harvesting platform “SEAWEED FarmTEC” enables environmentally friendly industrial algae production.
BIOPOLYMER ALGEAPOX
Innovative approaches to algae biomass utilization contribute to the development of new processes in the production and development of sustainable bio-polymers.
BIOHYDROGEN FACTORY
Algal biomass is suitable for energy recovery by being used as a feedstock for the production of biohydrogen.
The OCEAN Seaweed Polymer network consists of six international small and medium-sized companies and two international research institutions. Thus, the respective long-standing expertise in the field of environmentally friendly energy production and raw material utilization is bundled. The network develops concepts to reduce the CO2 footprint through the seamless utilization of macroalgae.
Innovation
Only about 29 percent of the earth’s surface can be used for agriculture, which is why turning to the oceans is steadily gaining in importance. In particular, the cultivation of aquatic plants in algae farms is worthwhile, as they can be used for a wide range of purposes. Algae are used in the cosmetics, medical, pharmaceutical and food industries, among others.
The problem with cultivating algae as a raw material so far is that they are often grown in monocultures close to the beach and polluting the environment. As an autonomous off-shore platform, the SEAWEED OCEAN FARM offers an intelligent and CO2-neutral production solution. This CO2 neutrality is achieved by the complete energetic utilization of the algae by converting them into biohydrogen. Furthermore, the industrial extraction of algae opens up a new biomass source that contributes to long-term CO2 storage.
SEAWEED OCEAN FARM
The SEAWEED OCEAN FARM is an energy self-sufficient, autonomous and storm-proof off-shore platform for the industrial production of macroalgae. The high-tech algae farm is able to position itself autonomously in open waters using GPS control and does not require anchoring to the seabed.
The harvesting of the macroalgae is fully automated, so that only the onward transport to the utilization sites has to be organized. The implementation of industrial production and harvesting of macroalgae is the first step towards effective exploitation of this biogenic resource.
BIOPOLYMER ALGEAPOX
ALGEAPOX consists of a mixture of algae biomass and biodegradable plastics. It is thus one hundred percent biodegradable. Such novel materials are an equivalent substitute for fossil raw materials and petroleum-based plastics. Until now, these have been needed for products in the packaging, automotive and construction industries, for example. Switching to bioplastics and sustainable products significantly contributes to lowering the carbon footprint and reduces environmental pollution with microplastics from petroleum-based plastics.
The biopolymer ALGEAPOX is suitable for the production of molded parts, as well as for 3D printing, among other applications.
BIOHYDROGEN-FACTORY
Depending on the quality and species of the respective macroalgae, various valuable substances can already be extracted in the sense of a biorefinery technology.
However, the network approach for the utilization of macroalgae strives for complete utilization, so that after the extraction of valuable substances, energetic utilization is always possible by converting the residual substances into methane and biohydrogen.
Therefore, the first processing steps take place in the BioHydrogen Factory in order to be able to fully utilize the algae biomass. Depending on the species, different value chains are targeted, but the first step is always the extraction of solid mixtures, which can then be processed into products in special algae factories or used directly for biopolymer production.
In this process, all biogenic residues that arise as waste materials in the value chain are energetically recycled at the end, so that complete utilization is ensured.
News
Bundesregierung ernennt MdB Dr. Stefan Kaufmann zum Innovationsbeauftragten „Grüner Wasserstoff“
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