720466Novel photobioreactor for sustainable high value chemical productionClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKThe project will seek to develop a novel photobioreactor (PBR) for the industrial production of Astaxanthin from the micro-algae Haemotococcus pluvialis. The bioreactor design and technology, will be based on a 300l bench scale model developed by Aragreen (UK) Ltd. It will be capable of operating efficiently in the UK’s climate, will utilize only a small land footprint and can be operable using treated water from waste water treatment works, as the key feedstock in algae production. Such a production platform will aim to produce astaxanthin from H. pluvialis algae at a price point comparable with existing synthetic sources, would offer a novel engineering solution to the industrialisation of algae biomass production in the UK and, open the possibility of utilising a hugely valuable but unexploited resource for algal production: nutrients (Phosphates & Nitrates) from the UK’s waste water plants. Rising global demand for astaxanthin, will provide the foundation for expanding the company’s product portfolio into additional high value chemicals derived from algae biomass and its associated derivatives.