A new deal between Cellana, a California-based maker of algae-based products, and Israel\u2019s Galil Algae Cooperative Agriculture Society Limited could have interesting implications for biodiesel (possibly a negative implication here) and for nutraceuticals (really positive here). This Cellana news release says the partnership looks to combine the industrial qualities of Cellana\u2019s ReNew\u2122 Algae \u2013 high-value algae biomass rich in Omega-3 nutritional oils, proteins, fuel-grade oils, cosmetic-grade oils, acids, and polysaccharides, as well as other valuable micronutrients \u2013 with Galil Algae\u2019s whole-algae products that are rich in Omega-3s for aquaculture applications at a new joint algae research center in northern Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis newly-established relationship with Galil Algae is an extension and validation of Cellana\u2019s core competencies in minimizing contamination in large-scale outdoor algae biomass production and in growing algae strains that naturally produce high-value Omega-3 oils,\u201d stated Martin A. Sabarsky, Chief Executive Officer of Cellana. \u201cMany of the same strains that can be grown for aquaculture hatchery applications can also be good sources of crude oil for fuel applications, proteins for animal feed and food applications, and oils and polysaccharides for cosmetic applications,\u201d continued Mr. Sabarsky.<\/p>\n
Galil Algae officials see the deal as a way for them to partner their high-performing, high-Omega-3 algae strains with Cellana\u2019s approach to commercial strain development and market focus within the nutraceutical and aquaculture sectors.<\/p>\n
I’m not entirely sure why Cellana CEO is mentioning fuel in the same breath as nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals from algae sell at about $100,000 per T, fuel sells at $1000 per T. This deal seems to make a lot of sense to me in the context of nutra (astaxanthin<\/a>, chlorella<\/a>, omega 3<\/a> etc) and animal feed than for fuels.<\/p>\n What do you think?<\/p>\n Some interesting links<\/em><\/p>\n