Transitioning to microalgae as a sustainable, high-quality large-scale food source through launching the first daily drink containing spirulina

Project Information

Springwave2014

Grant agreement ID: 663942

DOI

10.3030/663942

Project closed

EC signature date 3 March 2015

Start date 1 February 2015

End date 31 July 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ALGAMA
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Springwave2014 (Transitioning to microalgae as a sustainable, high-quality large-scale food source through launching the first daily drink containing spirulina)

Reporting period: 2015-02-01 to 2015-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

"As the world food consumption is expected to double over the next 20 years, it is imperative to eat ""better"" and ""sober"" while preserving and protecting our environment.
To meet this challenge, microalgae can provide a considerably smaller environmental impact than any other source of protein combined to exceptional nutritional qualities.
ALGAMA has developed the first microalgae mass product: Springwave, an aquadrink-water enhanced with high-quality spirulina nutrients. This first product aims to introduce microalgae in consumer habits and daily food routine prior to proposing a large variety of microalgae-based food products.

The feasibility study aimed to assess three key levels:
1. Commercial: Mass market expansion in France, UK, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.
2. Industrial: Analyse and decide on environment-friendly model to increase production capacity from 15 000 to 1 000 000 bottles per year.
3. Legal: Identify legal and IP issues for the launch of Springwave in UK, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.
"

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the 6-month period of the feasibility study, we carried out the expected market studies except for Netherlands market. Considering much higher selling potentialities in United States, we decided to allocate our resources to a consumer study in US.
We attended several Business Fairs (Sandwich & Snack Trade Show - Paris , Vitafood - Geneva, Food fair show - London, Expo Milano…) to validate the attractiveness and market receptivity of our product and to meet several professionals to distribute our product abroad.
We analysed industrial scaling up possibilities and opportunities to have internal production.
We performed a Freedom to Operate analysis regarding existing patent, food regulations, nutritional claims policy and patent opportunities.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The six-month-period of the feasibility study was very instructive for the development of Springwave. We validated our functional beverage (aquadrink) with distributors and many potential consumers. This allowed us to refine our strategy through technical, commercial, industrial and legal evolutions.
With these results we intend to enter into US and UK markets to widen the impact of our innovative product (especially New-York and London).
Based on technical, economical and legal inputs, our will to pursue the project is confirmed and strengthened.

ALGAMA’s first functional beverage - Springwave