The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, has announced the kickoff of its second annual “Summer of Algae,” a national campaign sponsored by ABO and implemented by member companies, to raise awareness about the promise of commercial algae production to create jobs, domestic fuels, feed and food products, as well as plastics and biochemicals. The series of open-house-style events and news announcements will give local and national officials an opportunity to experience the research, products and jobs being created by leading algae companies and research institutions. The campaign officially began at a special event at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences’ National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota in East Boothbay, Maine.

Additional events will take place throughout August and September culminating in the 7th Annual Algae Biomass Summit being held Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Orlando, Fla., where more than 800 algae producers, researchers, investors and suppliers are expected to convene for the world’s largest algae conference.

The events feature a wide range of technologies and end products, and stretch from coast-to-coast, including: Algenol (Florida); Algix (Alabama); Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (Maine); Duke Energy (Kentucky); Matrix Genetics (Washington); Montana State University (Montana); Sapphire Energy (New Mexico and California); and the University of Arizona (Arizona).

“As members of Congress return to their districts, it’s a great time for ABO’s members to showcase their technologies and products, and how they are creating jobs, economic development and domestic supplies of sustainable fuel, food and feed from algae,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “As concerns mount about water supplies, drought and high gas prices, the algae industry continues to deliver on its promise of a sustainable solution to fuel and chemicals, human health and animal nutrition.”

The “Summer of Algae” campaign events range in size from small briefings with local officials to larger tours of laboratories and commercial facilities to announcements about new and exciting technologies. The events will focus on the local impact the industry has on jobs and the prospects for commercial-scale production of algae-derived products that include ‘drop-in’ fuels, feed, nutritional supplements, specialty chemicals, plastics, and more.