Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SCALE (Supplying bioactives Compounds from micro-Algae to foster a bLue futurE)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-12-01 al 2023-11-30
The SCALE project strives to build and operate a first of its kind Flagship plant producing ingredients with high nutritional value derived from the untapped microalgae diversity, for food, food supplements, feed, and cosmetics sectors, based on an innovative technology building on a unique and cutting-edge Camargue photobioreactor technology, capable of producing large-scale volumes of high-value ingredients from unique microalgae species through economical and environmentally friendly processes.
To do so, SCALE gathers 11 key EU and international partners in an integrated value chain from microalgae production to high value ingredients extraction of bioactive compounds and end-use applications in food, food supplements, feed, and cosmetic domains.
SCALE addresses the ever-growing demand for safe and effective nutrition and wellness ingredients produced in a natural and highly sustainable way.
Over the course of the 4-year program, production capacity will increase five-fold, allowing for the development and production of more than 15 new ingredients derived from microalgae for the fields of nutrition and cosmetics. The annual capacity of SCALE will be more than 100 tons of high-value ingredients. Located in Baillargues, near Montpellier (South of France), SCALE will create up to 60 direct jobs and 190 indirect jobs by 2025.
To do so, SCALE gathers 11 key EU and international partners in an integrated value chain from microalgae production to high value ingredients extraction of bioactive compounds and end-use applications in food, food supplements, feed, and cosmetic domains.
SCALE addresses the ever-growing demand for safe and effective nutrition and wellness ingredients produced in a natural and highly sustainable way.
Over the course of the 4-year program, production capacity will increase five-fold, allowing for the development and production of more than 15 new ingredients derived from microalgae for the fields of nutrition and cosmetics. The annual capacity of SCALE will be more than 100 tons of high-value ingredients. Located in Baillargues, near Montpellier (South of France), SCALE will create up to 60 direct jobs and 190 indirect jobs by 2025.
Since the kick-off of the project in June 2021, SCALE has achieved a number of key results including the start of the construction of the Flagship plant and the launch of four new natural ingredients from microalgae.
Over the project’s first 30-months, the efforts of the consortium have been concentrated on finalizing the new plant design and construction. After receiving the building permit, the construction work started in September 2021. The technology used in the SCALE project was developed and patented by the project coordinator, Microphyt. To date, 3000m2 of the SCALE Flagship plant has now been achieved with the creation of 15 new jobs. Microphyt worked closely together with partners Evolys and Sunti, respectively, for the design of an innovative LED-based lightening solution and the energy diagnosis to analyse the thermal and power demand of the extended site. The plant first phase construction has been finalized and Microphyt has started to operate in the new facilities.
In parallel to the advances in the construction of the plant and the ramp-up of the production, new microalgae-based ingredients have been tested by the SCALE industrial partners for targeted applications: Institut Paul Bocuse Research center for food, Plameca for food supplements, Lallemand Animal Nutrition for feed, and Chanel Perfume & Beauty for cosmetics.
Further progress during the first 30 months includes the results of the first clinical study in food supplement with the launch of Microphyt’s related ingredient in Novel Nutrition: GamePhyt, a natural bioactive complex specifically designed for e-gamers. In Advanced Beauty, Microphyt launched 4 in bio-inspired cosmetic solutions: PhycoSi, Luteana, Renouvellance and PhycoAge. As creating new value chains is one of the main objectives of the project, Microphyt has also launched is first ingredient in feed market : Sea2Vet.
Over the project’s first 30-months, the efforts of the consortium have been concentrated on finalizing the new plant design and construction. After receiving the building permit, the construction work started in September 2021. The technology used in the SCALE project was developed and patented by the project coordinator, Microphyt. To date, 3000m2 of the SCALE Flagship plant has now been achieved with the creation of 15 new jobs. Microphyt worked closely together with partners Evolys and Sunti, respectively, for the design of an innovative LED-based lightening solution and the energy diagnosis to analyse the thermal and power demand of the extended site. The plant first phase construction has been finalized and Microphyt has started to operate in the new facilities.
In parallel to the advances in the construction of the plant and the ramp-up of the production, new microalgae-based ingredients have been tested by the SCALE industrial partners for targeted applications: Institut Paul Bocuse Research center for food, Plameca for food supplements, Lallemand Animal Nutrition for feed, and Chanel Perfume & Beauty for cosmetics.
Further progress during the first 30 months includes the results of the first clinical study in food supplement with the launch of Microphyt’s related ingredient in Novel Nutrition: GamePhyt, a natural bioactive complex specifically designed for e-gamers. In Advanced Beauty, Microphyt launched 4 in bio-inspired cosmetic solutions: PhycoSi, Luteana, Renouvellance and PhycoAge. As creating new value chains is one of the main objectives of the project, Microphyt has also launched is first ingredient in feed market : Sea2Vet.
Currently, no large-scale industrial production site provides access to the exceptional biodiversity of microalgae in an efficient way. Only a few species are produced globally with dedicated production sites. For instance, 70% of the market is currently represented by Spirulina and Chlorella.
By 2025, the SCALE Flagship plant will deliver large scale production of Microphyt’s ingredients for the food, food supplements, feed and cosmetics sectors. Construction of the plant began at Microphyt’s facility in France in September 2021 and represents the first-of-its-kind fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery at an industrial scale.
The biorefinery aims to implement sustainable processes to convert microalgae biomasses into a variety of ingredients. Indeed, SCALE is dedicated to highly sustainable practices and does not use GMOs or pesticides, has highly efficient water use and actually consumes CO2. The project will further accelerate these environmental benefits by integrating renewable energy production enhancing recycling capabilities. SCALE will provide industrial-scale production of environmentally friendly, natural ingredients, that will contribute to reducing petrochemical dependency. In addition, SCALE will aid the attainment of European climate targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
SCALE will allow the reduction on high-cost or unstainable raw-materials by supporting the emergence of microalgae as an alternative, affordable and sustainable feedstock compared to petroleum derivatives or animal and vegetal meals; this increasing the flexibility on raw materials. In addition, the new plant will strengthen the local and sustainable development and economy by increasing the competitiveness of European bio-based industries, the creation of new jobs (more than 50 and 190 indirects expected), create new income and opportunities of growth and investment as well as promoting the inclusion of coastal and rural areas in the bio-based industry setting.
By 2025, the SCALE Flagship plant will deliver large scale production of Microphyt’s ingredients for the food, food supplements, feed and cosmetics sectors. Construction of the plant began at Microphyt’s facility in France in September 2021 and represents the first-of-its-kind fully-integrated microalgae biorefinery at an industrial scale.
The biorefinery aims to implement sustainable processes to convert microalgae biomasses into a variety of ingredients. Indeed, SCALE is dedicated to highly sustainable practices and does not use GMOs or pesticides, has highly efficient water use and actually consumes CO2. The project will further accelerate these environmental benefits by integrating renewable energy production enhancing recycling capabilities. SCALE will provide industrial-scale production of environmentally friendly, natural ingredients, that will contribute to reducing petrochemical dependency. In addition, SCALE will aid the attainment of European climate targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
SCALE will allow the reduction on high-cost or unstainable raw-materials by supporting the emergence of microalgae as an alternative, affordable and sustainable feedstock compared to petroleum derivatives or animal and vegetal meals; this increasing the flexibility on raw materials. In addition, the new plant will strengthen the local and sustainable development and economy by increasing the competitiveness of European bio-based industries, the creation of new jobs (more than 50 and 190 indirects expected), create new income and opportunities of growth and investment as well as promoting the inclusion of coastal and rural areas in the bio-based industry setting.