Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ASTEASIER (Novel and sustainable biotechnological approaches for astaxanthin and ketocarotenoids production)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31
Astaxanthin (AX) is a red pigment, a carotenoid, mostly used in fish diet that is responsible for pink/orange pigmentation of salmons of shrimps. More than 90% of the AX market is taken by its synthetic form, obtained as a by-product of crude oil refining. However, the natural form, produced by some specific eukaryotic microorganisms, provides a much stronger antioxidant power compared to the synthetic one, increasing the immune response to pathogens and viruses, which makes it an ideal ingredient also for nutraceuticals and cosmetics. The preferential use of synthetic Ax in aquaculture is mainly due to the price point of synthetic AX, ranging from 1,000 – 2,000 €/kg instead of up to 60,000 €/kg of natural AX. Synthetic AX is thus only used as a pigment, as fish colour is one of the most important quality indicators, while the true power of natural AX in farmed fish is still unexploited. Starting from the results of the “SOLENALGAE” ERC-StG project and two subsequent ERC Proof of Concept projects, the ASTEASIER project focuses on the development of novel methods to produce and extract AX enriched with Omega 3 and other nutrients from microalgae, which has proven to decrease the production cost in the range of synthetic AX. The aim is to take the technology to TRL6 and spin-off a company that aims to become leader in engineering microalgae to produce and sell natural products such as AX and other valuable components for human and animal nutrition and wellness. The main goal of the ASTEASIER project is to validate at industrial level the technology previously developed by UNIVR regarding novel biotechnological processes for astaxanthin (AX)
The project is focused on the validation of the ASTEASIER technology at the industrial level in terms of both the production of AX and its use in aquafeed.
In WP1 the microalgal strains developed by UNIVR were successfully cultivated at an industrial scale in 1,000 or 5,000 liters photobioreactors at A4F facilities. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of producing AX using the ASTEASIER technology at an industrial scale with a maximum measured productivity of 114 mg AX m-2 day-1. This value can be further improved upon process optimization, which is currently ongoing and expected to be defined during the project's second year. A pilot plant of 1,000 liters operated by UNIVR will be fully operative in the project's second year. In WP2, a techno-economic analysis was performed by A4F, allowing us to draw a first scenario for the price point of AX, which is in line with its possible application in aquafeed. In WP3 the possibility to successfully use ASTEASIER products in aquafeed formulation was tested in collaboration with the partner BioMar and achieved at month 12 (M12) with the feed production ongoing at M13 and feed trial starting at M14. The expected results from the feed trials will be available during the second half of 2024.
In WP4, the Tech to Martket Transition was investigated and developed. Day One investigated the business's profitability, quantifying the markets of the different nutrients included in the ASTEASIER products. The AX market was then segmented into different applications, and each one was analyzed in detail. This analysis allowed us to identify the potential customers of the upcoming startup in each field, to perform a customer segmentation and to interact with potential customers to gather information about the desired features of the product.
IPR at the base of ASTEASIER technology was reinforced and extended internationally on the base of the specific market relevant for algae biomass and/or aquafeed production.
A Business Model canvas was thus developed based on the B2B sales of AX-based products to customers in the feed, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries. The economic and financial projections were developed in the business plan for the newco to be launched during the second half of the project on the basis of the business model predicting the market entry in the last quarter of 2025 and the achievement of the full production capacity at the end of 2028.
In WP1 the microalgal strains developed by UNIVR were successfully cultivated at an industrial scale in 1,000 or 5,000 liters photobioreactors at A4F facilities. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of producing AX using the ASTEASIER technology at an industrial scale with a maximum measured productivity of 114 mg AX m-2 day-1. This value can be further improved upon process optimization, which is currently ongoing and expected to be defined during the project's second year. A pilot plant of 1,000 liters operated by UNIVR will be fully operative in the project's second year. In WP2, a techno-economic analysis was performed by A4F, allowing us to draw a first scenario for the price point of AX, which is in line with its possible application in aquafeed. In WP3 the possibility to successfully use ASTEASIER products in aquafeed formulation was tested in collaboration with the partner BioMar and achieved at month 12 (M12) with the feed production ongoing at M13 and feed trial starting at M14. The expected results from the feed trials will be available during the second half of 2024.
In WP4, the Tech to Martket Transition was investigated and developed. Day One investigated the business's profitability, quantifying the markets of the different nutrients included in the ASTEASIER products. The AX market was then segmented into different applications, and each one was analyzed in detail. This analysis allowed us to identify the potential customers of the upcoming startup in each field, to perform a customer segmentation and to interact with potential customers to gather information about the desired features of the product.
IPR at the base of ASTEASIER technology was reinforced and extended internationally on the base of the specific market relevant for algae biomass and/or aquafeed production.
A Business Model canvas was thus developed based on the B2B sales of AX-based products to customers in the feed, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries. The economic and financial projections were developed in the business plan for the newco to be launched during the second half of the project on the basis of the business model predicting the market entry in the last quarter of 2025 and the achievement of the full production capacity at the end of 2028.
The main results obtained at the end of the first year of the project are:
1) The demonstration that novel platforms for the production of natural AX from microalgae can be obtained by the cultivation of ASTEASIER strains in industrial facilities. These results represent a change in the paradigm for AX production: up to now, natural AX in the market is produced from bacteria in a carbon-emitting process or from the costly cultivation of two phases (a green and a red phase) of the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Here, natural AX can be produced in a single cultivation phase assimilating CO2 and adopting the microalgal strains at the base of the ASTEASIER technology.
2) Novel aquafeed formulation was obtained by BioMar substituting synthetic AX with AX-enriched biomass produced by microalgae. This formulation provides not only AX but also other important nutritional compounds such as omega-3 and proteins.
In the second year of the project, this novel aquafeed formulation will be tested by BioMar in salmon diets in order to reach TRL6.
In the first year of the project the business model and business plan for tech to market activities were defined leading to the planning for the launch of a start-up which will occur in the second year of the project.
The main achievements needed by the ASTEASIER technology in order to reach the market are the completeness of the industrial validation and the optimization of the process in order to meet a specific price point (to be reached at the end of the project), the definition and achievement of the certification required to enter into the feed market and obtaining the necessary funds to set up a production plant that can fulfil the demand of our potential customers, such as Biomar.
1) The demonstration that novel platforms for the production of natural AX from microalgae can be obtained by the cultivation of ASTEASIER strains in industrial facilities. These results represent a change in the paradigm for AX production: up to now, natural AX in the market is produced from bacteria in a carbon-emitting process or from the costly cultivation of two phases (a green and a red phase) of the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Here, natural AX can be produced in a single cultivation phase assimilating CO2 and adopting the microalgal strains at the base of the ASTEASIER technology.
2) Novel aquafeed formulation was obtained by BioMar substituting synthetic AX with AX-enriched biomass produced by microalgae. This formulation provides not only AX but also other important nutritional compounds such as omega-3 and proteins.
In the second year of the project, this novel aquafeed formulation will be tested by BioMar in salmon diets in order to reach TRL6.
In the first year of the project the business model and business plan for tech to market activities were defined leading to the planning for the launch of a start-up which will occur in the second year of the project.
The main achievements needed by the ASTEASIER technology in order to reach the market are the completeness of the industrial validation and the optimization of the process in order to meet a specific price point (to be reached at the end of the project), the definition and achievement of the certification required to enter into the feed market and obtaining the necessary funds to set up a production plant that can fulfil the demand of our potential customers, such as Biomar.