Ananas Anam, the UK-based company behind Piñatex, a plant-based leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fiber, has entered insolvency proceedings after more than a decade in operation. Are bio-materials where dreams go to die?

Founded in 2013 by Carmen Hijosa, the company was considered an early pioneer in the “next-generation” sustainable materials movement. Piñatex uses fibers extracted from pineapple leaves, an agricultural by-product typically discarded after harvest, to create a non-woven textile marketed as an alternative to animal leather. (Dead Sea cement bricks apply the same concept).

Over the years, Ananas Anam secured collaborations with global brands including Nike, H&M, Inditex and Ecoalf. However, according to UK insolvency filings, the company struggled to achieve sustained commercial scale. And Ananas Anam UK formally entered insolvency proceedings last year. This is a business lesson to hopefuls looking to create an impact business.

According to Companies House filings: 2023 turnover: £240,849 (down from £419,849 in 2022); 2023 loss: £1.14 million. The Spanish subsidiary reported €518,515 in revenue in 2023 (down 20.4% year-on-year) and losses of €1.03 million.

Stella McCartney supports the use of sustainable materials without the risk. A smart business model or a parasitic approach to sustainable fashion?

The same month that Ananas Anam was filing bankruptcy, Stella McCartney was advertising its materials in her latest collections.

The filings state that the company required continued external investment and was unable to generate sufficient operational cash flow to sustain growth. Ananas Anam probably should have raised VC or investment capital to scale and grow its dream to make natural waste a viable bio-material that could work in the machinery of today’s textile operations.

In late 2024, restructuring firm Leonard Curtis was engaged to assess the company’s financial position. Ananas Anam sought new investors, including discussions with produce company Del Monte, which provided interim funding totaling €300,000, followed by an additional €100,000 from existing investor Compagnie Fruitière. Negotiations for acquisition were ultimately unsuccessful. too bad Del Monte didn’t “buy” the idea for its CSR venture

Scaling Remains a Barrier in Next-Gen Materials

Industry observers note that many alternative material startups face similar commercialization hurdles. While leather from mushrooms sounds exciting along with shoes that decompose, brands often test these innovative materials in limited capsule collections, converting pilot projects into large-volume, long-term supply contracts has proven difficult across the sector. That’s what we see with Stella McCartney. She tests new materials on her collections but she doesn’t take an all-in risk approach.

Ananas Anam had attempted to shift its model from direct brand partnerships to collaborations with textile manufacturers, including Textil Santanderina, and explored outsourcing production while remaining focused on fiber supply.

The broader sustainable materials landscape has also shifted in recent years. Textile recycling technologies have accelerated in response to anticipated European Union eco-design regulations emphasizing recycled content. Some companies developing bio-based materials have found it challenging to compete for investment and manufacturing capacity in this evolving regulatory and commercial environment.

From Pioneer to Precedent

Piñatex was among the earliest widely publicized plant-based leather alternatives and played a significant role in raising awareness of agricultural waste valorization within fashion supply chains.

Its insolvency highlights the persistent gap between innovation and industrial-scale deployment in sustainable materials.

Learn from Balena

The next-generation materials sector continues to evolve, but the case of Ananas Anam underscores a recurring challenge: scaling production, securing stable demand, and achieving financial sustainability remain decisive factors in determining which innovations survive beyond the pilot phase. The company might have better taken the B2B approach, which is seen with Balena, a biomaterial company that provides materials for the shoe industry. They have collaborated with VivoBarefoot and Stella McCartney but never risked having to develop and cater to the consumer directly,

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Sea moss became the new super-food when Kim Kardashian started talking about blending it into her smoothies. Fans following the trend claim that sea moss gives skin a new glow, raises energy, helps with weight loss, and keeps digestion, er, moving along. While it’s nice to think that a jar of mango or strawberry-flavored sea moss gel can change your life, it’s worth taking a closer look at the product before you invest your hard-earned bucks.

People living by the sea have gathered seaweeds for thousands of years as free and healthy food. Nowadays you can buy many varieties of seaweeds at the supermarket. Think of sushi, which is rice wrapped in nori seaweed. All good stuff, as long as you can be sure that the seaweed you buy has been sustainably harvested from pollution-free waters. More on that later. We’ve also posted about the benefits of a different superfood, spirulina.

Singer Azealia Banks makes her own sea moss blend, as posted on X.

Commercially manufactured sea moss can come from different kinds of seaweed, although usually it’s the type known as Irish moss, or red algae. It’s soaked until the fronds become soft, then processed into gel, powder, gummies and capsules. It’s easy to blend into soups or smoothies, as gel or in powdered form.

Sea moss offers plenty of life-enhancing minerals and vitamins: calcium, folate, magnesium, vitamin K, and zinc, and iodine, a mineral essential for a healthy thyroid gland. It’s a natural source of carrageenan: a thickening and emulsifying agent in yogurt and ice cream, and non-dairy milks. Sea moss provides fiber too.

Yet too much iodine-rich sea moss can be harmful. Eating seaweeds in time-honored traditional ways is one thing; mixing a couple of tablespoons of gel into something liquid is another; and taking sea moss supplements is another thing yet.

Discussing sea moss supplements, registered dietitian Leah Oldham, at the Henry Ford Health center, Michigan, explains:

“Some types of sea moss contain very high levels of iodine, and you could get more than your daily limit without realizing it. Going above the daily upper limits of iodine can lead to goiter, or an enlarged thyroid. The upper limit for adults is 1,100 mcg, but it’s less for children and teens.”

Seafoods, dairy, and eggs have iodine. Even some fruit and vegetables offer iodine: cranberries, strawberries, beans, spinach, and garlic are some. You could hardly overdose on iodine from eating normal amounts of fresh produce.

“Sea moss supplements seem like an easy way to get the benefits of sea moss without the taste,” continues Oldham. “The problem is that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, so you don’t always know what you’re getting.” Here we’re looking at the possibility of fillers and other un-labelled ingredients.

Oldham adds that sea moss growing in waters polluted with industrial runoff, heavy metals, and chemicals will naturally absorb all that garbage. If you if you’re interested in trying sea moss, look for brands that promise organic.

Blending two tablespoons of sea moss gel into your morning smoothie may safely fulfill the promise of boosted health and beauty. There are lots of glowing enthusiastic claims made for those benefits. But sea moss isn’t for everyone.

People taking medications for thyroid, high blood pressure, and potassium-sparing diuretics risk unpredictable interactions between sea moss and their meds. Sea moss may have blood-thinning properties, so those taking blood-thinning medication should avoid it.

Too much sea moss in your diet can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Take no more than the standard 2 tablespoons of gel daily. It hasn’t been determined if sea moss supplements are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding people. Talk to your health practitioner before starting to supplement your diet with sea moss.

There isn’t enough research to validate claims that sea moss can slow the progress of Parkinson’s disease. True, there’s research on treating stiff, slow-moving worms with sea moss. No conclusions reached as to the possible effect on stiff, slow-moving humans.

Best, of course, is to eat a normal culinary portion of seaweed when you can. Are you lucky enough to harvest fresh sea moss from an unpolluted beach? Then you can make your own, safe gel. Here’s a recipe from webmd.com:

First, wash the sea moss and then soak it in cold water for a full day, changing the water frequently and removing any dirt you see. You can leave this on your kitchen counter to soak, as you don’t need to refrigerate it.

You’ll know your sea moss is ready to use when it’s doubled in size and has become white and jelly-like.
Once it’s ready, put the sea moss, along with some water, into a blender and blend until smooth. Start with 1 cup of water and add more if the mixture is too thick.Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, which will thicken it some more.

Once you have your prepared sea moss, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and use it in recipes. For instance: smoothies, soups, stews, baked goods.

You can also make sea moss gel from sea moss powder by blending 1/4 cup of powder with 2 cups of hot (not boiling) water in your blender. Cool the mixture and store it in your refrigerator.

Photo of fresh dried sea moss by Plateresca, Getty Images

The post Sea Moss: The New Superfood, Or Just A Trend? appeared first on Green Prophet.

As the 28th edition of Ecomondo opens in Rimini, Italy it comes with a quiet truth that feels almost subversive in the era of climate mega-summits and scripted ministerial statements: this trade fair — full of waste-sorting robotics, composting technology, soil-remediation systems, and industrial biogas machinery — may now matter more to the planet’s future than the COP conferences that dominate global climate headlines.

COP has always been about diplomacy, negotiation, and political signaling. It is the global stage where nations gather to pledge emissions targets, debate loss-and-damage financing, and reaffirm their commitment to a shared climate agenda. It’s a place where people meet when the previous work has already been done.

But we are no longer living in a decade where promises are the substance of climate action. We are living in the decade of execution.

And execution does not happen in marble plenaries or UN press tents. It happens in exhibition halls like those in Rimini — in the sight of shredder lines turning textile waste into new feedstock, water-recycling systems being stress-tested, algae vats bubbling quietly, and biofertilizer reactors feeding regenerative agriculture.

In other words: COP is where the world talks about climate action. Ecomondo is where the world actually builds it.

This year Ecomondo brings together more than 1,700 exhibiting companies, 30 halls, 166,000 square meters of circular-economy innovation, 380 hosted buyers from 66 countries, and over 200 conferences led by industrial, academic, and regulatory experts. It’s a demonstration of scale — but not the theatrical scale of global diplomacy. It’s the scale of supply chains, of business models, of industrial ecosystems.

Walk through Rimini and the difference is instant: instead of panels debating ambition levels, you see companies demonstrating anaerobic digesters, next-gen composting infrastructure, optical sorters for plastic waste, textile-recycling machinery, aquifer-restoration systems, AI-enabled climate monitoring tools, lithium battery shredders, and sludge-to-fertilizer technology.

Europe’s emissions goals will not be met by pledges, but by infrastructure. The circular economy will not scale through slogans, but through procurement, factories, and financing models. And Ecomondo understands this.

The 2025 programme leans into the hardest industrial questions of the decade:

• How do we close the loop on textiles under new EU rules?
• What happens to 2030’s waste solar panels and wind turbines?
• Can biogas and biomethane scale fast enough to displace fossil gas?
• How do cities transform waste streams into economic resources?
• How do we regenerate degraded soils at continental scale?
• How do we secure critical minerals without opening new wounds?

COP’s theater vs. Ecomondo’s workshop

COP is necessary — it forces nations to face each other and acknowledge a shared emergency. But it is also a place of gesture politics, where governments announce recycled commitments, fossil fuel lobbyists measure influence, and energy companies pose as climate champions while expanding extraction.

In Rimini, the performance drops away. Nobody wins Ecomondo with a pledge or a photo op. You win if your system works, if your process scales, if a municipal department or multinational buyer signs a deal to decarbonize their operations.

Italy is not always positioned as a climate-policy powerhouse. Yet in circularity, water treatment, bioeconomy, and industrial ecology, it is quietly one of the most advanced economies in the world that knows how to dream –– and work.

In a global conversation often dominated by the U.S.–China technology rivalry, Ecomondo is a reminder: Europe’s strength is systems thinking. Decarbonization here looks like integration — circular supply chains, wastewater reuse, biobased feedstocks, land restoration, local manufacturing, and policy synchronized with industry.

The post Ecomondo vs. COP: Where the Climate Transition Actually Happens appeared first on Green Prophet.

In recent years, the suggestion that the blue-green algae superfood put in green smoothies commonly known as spirulina may rival traditional animal-sourced proteins has attracted growing attention. Some people like health influencers David Avocado Wolfe are suggesting its better to eat a pile of spirulina over a steak for protein value.

The question posed by many nutrition-conscious readers is whether spirulina truly contains more protein than steak. A review of the available data offers a nuanced answer: yes by dry weight, but in practical terms, not in typical servings.

Spirulina, scientifically referred to as Spirulina (dietary supplement) (a biomass of cyanobacteria), when processed into its dry powder form, is remarkably rich in protein. One detailed review reports protein levels ranging from 55 % to 70 % of its dry weight.

An authoritative source from Harvard Health, a respected medical institution, also states that “spirulina boasts a 60% protein content” in its dried form. Against that backdrop, the raw concentration of protein in spirulina appears exceptionally high compared with many foods.

By contrast, typical cuts of cooked lean beef—such as steak—contain significantly lower percentages of protein by weight. According to credible sources, cooked lean beef averages about 22% to 26% protein.

For example, one nutrition database lists a 100-gram portion of grilled beef tenderloin as containing approximately 26 grams of protein. Thus, on a gram-for-gram basis (i.e., comparing 100 g of dried spirulina vs. 100 g of steak), spirulina contains more protein. However, this comparison misses two important practical considerations: serving size and bioavailability. (And well, taste). You can sink your teeth into a 250g steak, raised on organic grass in open pastures. Try eating 250 grams of spirulina.

While spirulina is very protein-dense in dry form, typical daily servings are small—often a few grams. A tablespoon (about 7 g) of spirulina powder provides around 4 g of protein. By contrast, a single steak meal may provide 25 to 50 g of protein in one sitting. For example, a 10-ounce steak (≈ 283 g) has been cited as delivering around 42 to 50 g of protein. If yu are a vegan there is no question that you will eat tofu, and spirulina and beans and pulses for protein. If you are a vegewarian, a fresh, healthy steak may give you more than just protein. It gives you more iron and other amino acids too.

While both spirulina and beef provide “complete” protein (i.e., containing all essential amino acids), the absorption and usability of that protein by the human body may differ. Animal-sourced proteins are often considered more easily digestible and more strongly tied to muscle repair and growth, though the exact difference can depend on numerous factors including cooking method, other dietary components and individual digestive efficiency.

So what’s the verdict? By dry weight spirulina indeed contains a higher concentration of protein. Yet, when the comparison is adjusted to realistic portion sizes and typical consumption, steak delivers far more protein in a single serving. Let’s root for companies like Aleph Farms, making lab-grown steak from real animal tissue so we can bypass the animal suffering bit altogether.

The post What has more protein – spirulina or a steak? appeared first on Green Prophet.

There is money in the green stuff that grows as slime in your pool. Once dismissed as an unremarkable nuisance, algae is now emerging as a game-changing resource in sustainable industries. From food and nutrition to bioplastics and biofuels, algae is revolutionizing multiple sectors, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional products. Breakthroughs in the last decade have propelled microalgae into the mainstream, creating new business opportunities and attracting significant investment.

One such company, Brevel Ltd., a climate food-tech leader, recently secured over US$5 million in a seed extension up-round, bringing total funding to US$25 million. This financial boost enables Brevel to accelerate its market strategy and advance microalgae protein development for food and beverage applications.

“Our investors chose to reinvest, based on Brevel’s impressive progress following the last round,” explains Yonatan Golan, co-founder and CEO of Brevel. “We are dedicated to delivering nutritious protein that can replace animal protein in formulations. Our vision as a climate food-tech startup is to reduce the carbon footprint to a minimum by developing affordable, flavor-neutral, and functional microalgae protein at global scales for consumers. It ticks all the boxes: it’s good for the people, good for our customers, and good for the planet.”

Related: how algae transforms the textile industry with color

Brevel has pioneered a unique method of cultivating microalgae by combining light with sugar-based fermentation in indoor bioreactors. Traditional fermentation, typically conducted in the dark, produces microalgae efficiently but lacks key nutrients that depend on light exposure. By integrating light into the fermentation process, Brevel enhances the nutritional profile, functionality, and overall commercial viability of microalgae-based proteins.

“At NevaTeam Partners, we invest in visionary companies that redefine industries, and Brevel is a perfect example of bold innovation,” says Shay Levy, Partner of NevaTeam Partners and a board member of Brevel. “The shareholders’ decision to exercise their warrants is a strong vote of confidence in Brevel’s mission and execution. We believe their technology will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of alternative proteins, and we are excited to continue supporting their journey toward that.”

Microalgae contains a rich array of nutrients, including proteins, lipids, fibers, and bioactive antioxidants. Brevel’s business model is designed to maximize revenue from all components of the biomass. “Our business model is similar to that of soy protein,” reveals Golan. “The revenue must come from the co-products just as with soy and meat products. Our combined light and fermentation platform allows us to capitalize on all of the components of the microalgae and not just the protein portion.”

This approach ensures cost-effectiveness and commercial viability. By extracting valuable co-products like functional oils, antioxidants, and fibers alongside the primary protein, Brevel achieves price parity with traditional protein sources while maintaining a superior nutritional profile.

The Future of Algae in Sustainable Markets

Brevel’s recent milestones include:

• Completion of its first-of-a-kind commercial factory (FOAK)
• Scaling up production to 5,000L commercial volumes
• Securing agreements with industry leaders like The Central Bottling Company (CBC Group)
• Advancing microalgae protein and lipid ingredient development

The funding will accelerate Brevel’s expansion, facilitate partnerships for future production lines, and support additional offtake agreements as it prepares for large-scale commercialization.

Looking ahead, Yonatan Golan will pitch at the Investor Day on Climate event on April 2, as part of the European Innovation Council Summit. The event will feature 20 leading climate tech startups, showcasing how Brevel’s advancements in algae-based protein are addressing climate change and food security.

Founded by brothers Yonatan, Ido, and Matan Golan, Brevel is driven by a mission to nourish the growing global population with a high-value, sustainable protein source. With patented technology that merges fermentation with light exposure, Brevel has developed a highly nutritious, neutral-flavored microalgae protein isolate. The company’s 27,000-square-foot commercial plant, launched in 2024, has the capacity to produce hundreds of tons of microalgae protein annually, positioning Brevel at the forefront of the alternative protein revolution.

As the world seeks sustainable solutions to food security and climate challenges, algae is proving to be more than just pond scum—it’s a powerful driver of innovation and economic opportunity.

The post The Rise of Algae in Sustainable Business appeared first on Green Prophet.

The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, with synthetic dyes playing a major role in environmental destruction. Every year, textile dyeing releases over 200,000 tons of toxic chemicals into waterways, polluting drinking water, harming aquatic life, and devastating ecosystems. Conventional dyeing processes require vast amounts of water, contributing to severe water shortages in many regions. Meanwhile, synthetic dyes are often made from petrochemicals, leading to increased carbon emissions and long-term soil degradation.

The impact of synthetic dyes on individuals is equally alarming. Many dyes contain carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting chemicals, which can lead to skin irritations, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions for both workers and consumers. Prolonged exposure has been linked to neurological damage and reproductive health problems, making it clear that the dyeing industry’s toxic practices are harming not just the planet but also human well-being.

As consumers and brands alike search for sustainable alternatives, one company is leading the charge in transforming the dyeing industry—Algaeing. This innovative company harnesses the power of algae to create eco-friendly, biodegradable dyes, offering a groundbreaking solution to the toxic world of textile coloration.

To scale its impact, Algaeing has partnered with leading fashion brands and textile manufacturers, including Organic Basics. In collaboration with Algaeing, Organic Basics introduced the world’s first undergarment collection dyed with biodegradable algae-based dye. This collection emphasizes sustainability by utilizing algae-derived dyes that are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.

The Problem with Synthetic Dyes

Synthetic dyes have been the standard in the fashion industry for decades, but they come with a heavy environmental and human cost. The production and use of these dyes contribute to:

Water Pollution: The textile industry is responsible for 20% of global wastewater pollution. Many dyes contain heavy metals, carcinogens, and toxic chemicals that seep into rivers and oceans, affecting both marine life and human health.

High Water Consumption: Dyeing fabrics can consume up to 200 liters of water per kilogram of fabric, a staggering amount that worsens global water scarcity.

Carbon Emissions: The production of synthetic dyes relies on fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases that drive climate change.

Harm to Workers: Textile dye workers are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals, leading to respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and even cancer.

Microplastic Pollution: Many synthetic dyes are used in polyester and synthetic textiles, contributing to microplastic pollution in the environment.

With fashion brands and policymakers increasingly prioritizing sustainability, the industry is in desperate need of an eco-friendly alternative. Enter Algaeing—a company proving that nature itself holds the key to cleaner fashion.

What is Algaeing?

Algaeing is a pioneering biotechnology company that develops and commercializes algae-based dyes and fibers. Instead of relying on synthetic chemicals, the company uses algae—a natural, fast-growing organism that requires minimal resources—to create safe, renewable color solutions. Their patented process not only replaces toxic dyes but also reduces overall environmental impact across the supply chain.

Why Algae-Based Dyes Work

Algaeing’s innovative process offers several advantages over conventional dyeing methods:

1. Zero Toxic Waste: Unlike synthetic dyes that release toxic residues, algae dyes are completely biodegradable and safe for ecosystems.
2. Minimal Water Usage: Traditional textile dyeing requires excessive amounts of water, while Algaeing’s process reduces water consumption by up to 80%.
3. Carbon-Negative Production: Algae naturally absorb carbon dioxide during growth, making the dyeing process carbon-negative and helping combat climate change.
4. Biodegradable and Skin-Friendly: Algaeing’s dyes are free from harmful chemicals, making them hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and safe for both workers and consumers.
5. Efficient and Scalable: Unlike plant-based dyes, which often struggle with consistency and scalability, Algaeing’s dyes can be produced reliably at a commercial scale.

The Future of Sustainable Fashion

The fashion industry has long been resistant to change, but the urgency of the climate crisis is pushing brands to innovate. Algaeing is partnering with leading textile manufacturers to integrate algae dyes into mainstream fashion, offering a viable alternative that meets both environmental and commercial demands.

With consumers demanding greater transparency and sustainability, brands that adopt Algaeing’s technology can dramatically reduce their carbon footprint and lead the movement toward ethical fashion. As governments worldwide implement stricter regulations on water pollution and carbon emissions, companies that fail to transition to sustainable solutions risk falling behind.

The toxic reality of synthetic dyes is no longer acceptable. With the planet facing an environmental crisis, the fashion industry must embrace innovations like Algaeing’s algae-based dye technology. By shifting away from petrochemical dyes and investing in biodegradable, renewable solutions, we can protect our water, reduce emissions, and create a cleaner, more sustainable future for fashion.

Algaeing is proving that color doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. With algae leading the way, the future of textiles is not just green—it’s regenerative.

About Algaeing

Algaeing was founded in Israel by Renana Krebs, a fashion industry veteran who saw the urgent need for sustainable innovation in textiles. The company has since gained international recognition for its eco-friendly dyeing solutions proving that algae-based alternatives can be both commercially viable and environmentally responsible. With ongoing research and partnerships, Algaeing is set to lead the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable fashion industry.

As of 2025, Algaeing has raised approximately $4.84 million in funding from investors such as Iron Nation Venture Capital, Capital Nature, Purple Orange Ventures, Katapult Ocean, and Closed Loop Partners via pitchbook.com. The company operates with a dedicated team, including co-founders Renana Krebs (CEO) and Dr. Oded Krebs (CTO), along with Ariel Romano serving as CFO and Chief Commercial Officer.

The global textile dyes market was valued at USD 10.68 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 16.08 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period via polarismarketresearch.com. Algaeing’s innovative solutions position it well to capture a share of this expanding market, especially as demand for sustainable and eco-friendly dyes continues to rise. The company also produced a natural ink.

10 Israeli companies innovating with algae

Israelis have a fascinating with algae, growing it in vats in the desert. Here are 10 Israeli companies or their affiliates leveraging algae in their innovations:

1. Algatech: Located in Kibbutz Ketura, Algatech specializes in cultivating microalgae to produce natural astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant used in supplements and cosmetics.

2. Brevel: This startup focuses on producing neutral-tasting, highly functional algae-based proteins, aiming to enhance plant-based dairy alternatives.

3. BarAlgae: Founded in 2018, BarAlgae utilizes advanced technology to cultivate various microalgae species for applications in aquaculture, nutrition, cosmetics, and more.

4. Univerve: Based in Tel Aviv, Univerve is developing cost-effective systems to convert algae into renewable biofuels, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

5. AlgaHealth: This biotech company pioneers the development of microalgae-based nutraceuticals, focusing on producing high-quality fucoxanthin for health and wellness products.

6. Yemoja: Specializing in cultivating unique microalgae strains, Yemoja provides natural ingredients for the cosmetics and food industries, including algae-derived components that enhance plant-based meat products.

7. SimpliiGood: Innovating in the food sector, SimpliiGood creates algae-based meat alternatives, such as chicken schnitzel analogs, offering nutritious and sustainable protein sources.

8. Vaxa: Founded by Dr. Isaac Berzin (who founded the failed but great idea of GreenFuel), Vaxa operates an algae farm in Iceland, producing omega-3 supplements and protein powders from algae, contributing to sustainable nutrition solutions.

9. Seambiotic: Collaborating with global partners, Seambiotic cultivates marine microalgae using CO₂ emissions, aiming to produce biofuels and nutraceuticals while reducing greenhouse gases.

10. GreenFuel Technologies: Founded by Israeli scientist Isaac Berzin, GreenFuel developed processes to grow algae using emissions from fossil fuels, producing biofuels from the harvested algae.

The company is not alone in the space. Living Ink creates black dye and colors from algae. Based in the United States, Living Ink develops environmentally safe and sustainable color pigments derived from algae. Their flagship product, Algae Black, replaces petroleum-based carbon black in various applications, including printing inks and coatings.

Mounid, from Sweden, is developing algae-based inks for textile dyeing. Their innovative approach seeks to replace synthetic dyes with natural, biodegradable alternatives, addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional dyeing methods.

Cellana from Hawaii develops algae-based bioproducts, including pigments and specialty chemicals. Their focus on sustainable algae cultivation supports various applications, such as nutritional supplements and bioenergy.

::Algaeing

The post The Textile Industry’s Dirty Secret: How Algaeing is Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion appeared first on Green Prophet.

IBD for inflammatory bowel disease can cripple, even kill a child or grown up. Treatments and operations are limited but researchers and a commercial group are now funded with about $9 million to investigate the promise of algae as a treatment. Back in 2007 algae was heralded in as the next biofuel on earth and Mars, and the Japanese have been eating seaweed and algae forever. CBD oil has been used recently for treating IBD, but move over cannabis. Algae might take your place. 

The microalgae cultivation start-up Yemoja is joining joining the MIGAL Galilee Research institute in Israel to find algae-sourced compounds with the potential to help manage inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Select beneficial algae will be developed into functional foods as well as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

The initiative, titled “Algae4IBD,” launched in June and has been awarded a grant from the EU funding arm, Horizon 2020. Yemoja is one of a 21-member consortium composed of marine science experts, research institutes, universities, hospitals and IBD centers, and algae cultivation companies. The campaign is being led by Dr. Dorit Avni, a senior researcher for MIGAL.

IBD diseases, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease are chronic relapsing disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. They affect more than 2 million Europeans and 1.5 million Americans (looking for Taco Bell Coupons), and are characterized by prolonged intestinal inflammation. Epidemiological studies have noted higher prevalence of IBD in the Western world. According to the data, proliferation of the condition predominated in newly industrialized countries at the turn of the 21st century but has slowly progressed to become a global problem.

“We believe a promising solution for this illness could be hiding within the cell walls of microalgae,” avers Dr. Amikam Bar Gil, CTO of Yemoja. “There are some preliminary data within the peer-reviewed literature suggesting that microalgae could harbor anti-inflammatory activity within the digestive tract.

“Although this arm of research is still in early stages, leaving an ocean of knowledge still needing to be uncovered. This consortium was devised to pioneer the first robust and broadscale inquiry into the positive connection between microalgae and IBD.”

The initiative comes on the heels of promising research conducted by Avni’s team at MIGAL institute. Under this partnership, Yemoja will be responsible for cultivating multiple strains of known and novel microalgae to be screened for their potential anti-IBD properties. Several hundred strains will be screened before advancing to clinical trials. The microalgae candidates will be supplied by Yemoja, in conjunction with other global algae companies.

“Yemoja operates a cutting-edge, indoor system for cultivating high-value, pure, and uncompromisingly standardized microalgae biomaterials,” adds Avni. “This is a major advantage when addressing algae-based bioactive compounds. Moreover, Yemoja’s photobioreactor technology possesses unique capabilities to simultaneously produce any desired microalgae species, of any required quantity, rendering it ideal for the unique needs of the research project.”

Yemoja’s high-precision indoor cultivation platform enables the company to manipulate environmental parameters such as light, temperature, and pH to achieve high concentrations of the desired bioactive compounds, and enhance yields without the threat of contamination. It involves a small-batch production line of vertical luminescent columns. Each one is isolated and allocated a specific algae species.

Yemoja will roll out commercial-scale production of several identified successful microalgae candidates that will be used to develop functional food solutions, such as bread, gummies and bars, as well as natural supplements and pharmaceuticals.

“Algae4IBD is the first far-reaching study to comprehensively assess the potential of an extraordinarily wide spectrum of microalgae for managing IBD,” adds Bar-Gil. “This was not possible before, due to cultivation limitations. Microalgae are esteemed for their inherently rich content of healthful fatty acids, protein, antioxidant pigments, and polysaccharides, and presents multifaceted avenues for addressing IBD. It is an exciting project we anticipate will bring good news for chronic sufferers of IBD.”

The post Algae against IBD appeared first on Green Prophet.

Algae as superfood? Countries like Japan have already known for years about the possibilities of using algae as a nutritious food product, as any sushi fancier will attest to. Growing algae to feed the world’s hungry may soon become a viable reality as some forms of algae like spirulina, actually a form of cyanobacteria  and up to now much more expensive to produce as a food source.

This cost factor may now be reduced significantly due to a project being conducted by high school students at Israel’s Gymnasia Herzliya in Tel Aviv. The school program actually began back in 2013 when the high school students began experimenting with growing the algae in plastic bottles in what they referred to as the Algeed Superfood Project.

Spirulina has been found to contain as much as 70% protein and as such can be a tremendous help to feeding countries such as those in Africa whose large populations suffer from high levels of malnutrition. Since its original inception, the Tel Aviv high school project has expanded to actual involvement with African countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The idea is to find a low cost nutrition solution to feed the world’s hungry,” says Ben Berger, the project head. Congolese Agricultural representatives recently visited the high school, whose students took on the project six years ago to find a way to reduce significantly the cost of producing the highly nutritious algae at a lower cost than had been done up to now when spirulina was mostly sold in health foods stores at a much higher cost.  Spirulina in its natural state, usually looks like the photo below:

Dr. Zeev Degani, the school principal, is very happy that the project is taking place at his school which has expanded it to the point where some of the students have actually visited African locations to see the progress being made to produce the algae there. The Gymnasia Herzliya students have developed a way to grow the algae in plastic drink bottles, an item that is plentiful all over Africa and usually discarded in trash dumps. The program was aired recently on Israel’s Channel 13 news program.

Beginning originally on South Africa, the project is also being tried in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 1.5 million children suffer from various forms of malnutrition. “Instead of being dependent on aid programs, which usually end after a period of time, why not focus on something that will enable countries to provide their own nutrition solutions?” said a representative of the Lwiro Research Center of Natural Sciences in the Dem. Republic of the Congo.

More about algae as a food and fuel source:

Adding spirulina to felafel could yield the next superfood

Algae returns as fuel for our future

Israeli Teens Bottle Algae in “Algeed” Superfood Project for a Hungry Africa

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You might not want to tell your Moroccan grandmother, but technology first developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that recycles urine and waste water is being implemented to provide clean drinking water for 1,200 university students.Groundwater in Sidi Taïbi, a small town roughly an half hour’s drive outside of Rabat, has become contaminated over the years – particularly with nitrates and fertilizer that Phys.org reports renders the water unfit for human consumption.

To counter this problem and provide for a growing population, the University of Kenitra developed a partnership with UNESCO to apply ESA’s technology at the school.

Powered by both solar and wind energy, the closed-loop water cleansing process involves controlling “… organic and ceramic membranes with holes just one ten-thousandth of a millimetre across – 700 times thinner than a strand of human hair,” according to Phys.org.

“These tiny pores can filter out unwanted compounds in water, in particular nitrate.”

Related: New Moroccan handicraft complex replaces polluting tanneries in Fez

In space, astronauts can’t be encumbered by excess waste, so the ESA has developed innovative techniques to put it to good re-use. They are currently working to combine other elements, such as bacteria, algae, filters and high technology with the waste water to provide life-giving oxygen, water, and food.

This is all pretty heady stuff for the Middle East, where recycling waste water has long been viewed as risky business given the strong view that Muslims have about all things potentially unhygienic. There are complex rituals associated with anyone who defiles themselves in certain ways – by having sex, for example, or coming into contact with impurities.

But desperate measures are required during desperate times; we think this experiment could have enormous ramifications not just in Morocco, but throughout the region. It’s important for local people to notice science’s efficacy so that they can trust the source of their drinking water.

Until now, the technology has not been used for more than 16 people. A similar system was installed for researchers at the Concordia Research Base in Antarctica in 2005 and it continues to function well to this day – despite bitter weather conditions – with very little maintenance required.

Firmus from France is working with Belectric from Germany to expand ESA’s technology, and if their project is successful, they hope to scale it up by a factor of 10 so that the rest of the town can also enjoy access to clean drinking water.

This is huge.

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The continuing drought of global investment requires innovative approaches to project underwriting.  The most successful strategies involve collectives of stakeholders each with a  unique interest in a common project. Singularly, none would back the initiative, but in combination with others, sufficient momentum is created to realize the scheme.  There’s power in unusual partnerships, but let’s get back to the building.

The Bio Intelligent Quotient House (BIQ) was designed by Arup, SSC Strategic Science Consultants and Splitterwerk Architects to demonstrate the use algae as an alternative to other renewables for heating and cooling large buildings. BIQ, which contains fifteen apartments, is the first building in the world to be powered exclusively by algae.

One hundred and twenty-nine algae filled tanks are suspended across the southeast and southwest sides of the building. The algae was harvested from the nearby Elbe River and placed inside thin rectangular cases.  Each transparent tank was then attached to scaffolding around the building exterior.

The tanks turn mechanically to face the sun, similar to solar collector technology. An automated system also provides carbon dioxide and nutrients to the algae, which lives in a water solution inside each panel.

The growing algae provides shade for the building and also works as a buffer for ambient noise.  Excess heat that collects in the tank water is transferred to underground storage for later use. Algae growth is monitored, with occasional harvesting. Inside a building laboratory, the harvested biomass is converted to biogas which can be burned to provide winter heat.  Algae produces up to five times as much biomass per hectare as terrestrial plants and contains oils that can be also be used for energy.

The design and construction of the $6 million BIQ has taken three years, funded by Internationale Bauausstellung as part of the ongoing International Building Exhibition 2013.  It’s one of 16 featured projects that seek to demonstrate cost effective ways of bio-friendly building. BIQ serves as a test case to be studied by architects and engineers from around the world, assessing potential impact beyond its Hamburg location.

Instead of copycatting fast-food and home delivery, why not replicate a Western concept that might positively shape the Middle East’s future? Germany has a long history of building exhibitions, a tradition that would easily export to deep-pocket Arab countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.  These nations could underwrite building competitions and exhibitions bespoke to the challenges of the Middle East, encourage home-grown innovation and generate ideas to solve our most pressing problems. A girl can dream…

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