BDI to construct innovative algae production plant in Austria
Image: BDI-BioEnergy International
October 17, 2017
BY BDI-BioEnergy International AG
Internationally renowned company BDI-BioEnergy International, so far known for development and construction of biodiesel plants, now takes the first step into implementation of an in-house developed algae technology, together with its subsidiary BDI-BioLife Science GmbH.
The Styrian plant manufacturer BDI-BioEnergy International AG is investing roughly 16 million euros in the construction of an industrial plant for production of algae biomass. The ground-breaking ceremony for the highly automated plant will take place this year at the Ökopark Hartberg/Steiermark location.
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After several years of research, BDI succeeded in bringing an innovative algae production system to industrial maturity. With engineering, construction and operation of an industrial algae production plant, BDI enters for the first time this rapidly developing international business sector as a premium producer. As a first step, BDI-BioLife Science GmbH will produce algae-based additives for the food supplement and cosmetic industries.
Following its philosophy of innovative refining of reusable material, BDI succeeded in developing an algae cultivation system, which guarantees a site-independent and constant production of high-quality algae biomass. Based on BDI’s wide experience in plant construction, a future-orientated indoor breeding system was developed, which sets technological standards in algae production. Due to the fully closed system, any negative external influences can be eliminated, therefore enabling the quickest possible growth of the algae.
In the cosmetic and food supplement industry, the application of natural ingredients becomes more and more important as the trend is moving towards biological nonhazardous alternatives. BDI-BioLife Science concentrates on the production of natural Astaxanthin. This red coloring agent is recovered from special microalgae and is said to be the “diamond” of radical-scavengers and antioxidants.
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The location for this production plant is Hartberg/Styria and was deliberately chosen by BDI. The close proximity to the in-house research center and to local universities provides synergies for the further development of the algae product range of BDI-BioLife Science.
“Constant production quantities, as well as highest purity and quality of the algae product are of utmost importance for our future clients—the content must match the label,” said Edgar Ahn, member of the board. “With the rapidly increasing demand for algae products on the world market, this does not always seem to be the case. Therefore we want to position ourselves as reliable premium producer.”
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