CEVA Center for Study and Valorization of Algae Logo

Biothenologie-CEVA

The long-term goal for the CEVA is to increase studies and the use of algae as an alternative bioresource to agricultural raw materials (starch, oils …) and thereby contribute to a more sustainable chemical industry.

Although the price of raw algae material is still too high to be economically competitive in the perspective of biofuel production, work undertaken by the CEVA in this area has contributed to the scaling up of cultivation systems, and especially to the development of specific processes and enzymes for efficient algae treatment. These developed processes could be applied in other sectors where algae-based products  have a higher value.

The CEVA has furthered its studies by applying seaweed for algae-based materials, biosurfactants or paints, and thus most often in tight relation with industrial partners. An integrative approach by considering the sourcing and cultivation up-stream is necessary to guarantee a sustainable and profitable sector, as well as to guide towards the best valuable compounds of interest.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) are thoroughly carried out on such projects related to the bio-economy, and highlight the most impacting points to focus on (energy optimization of cultivation systems and pre-treatments, production of enzymes …). The CEVA is also a partner of European projects dedicated to the algae biorefinery, and is involved in reviewing current industrial processes which are often optimized for only one single product. The biorefinery industrial concept has the aim to give high value to multiple fractions, leaving the ultimate co-products for direct use as energy, land applications or as biomaterials.

Waste and co-products from the algae industry as well as algae produced off effluents (bioremediation) have become levers to produce algae raw material at a low cost and which can find applications at industrial sectors.

Our achievements in this field

Classified by services and innovations, find all the achievements of CEVA

  • Development of patented algae transformation processes for the production of bioplastics
  • Development and pilot transfer of patented enzymatic processes for the production of bioactive oligosaccharides
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  • Quantification of DMSP and acrylic acid in raw algae biomass and extracts
  • Synthesis of new algae-based surfactants
  • Production of algal bioethanol
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  • Microalgae cultivation on agri-food and industrial effluents
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  • Establishment of microalgae and macroalgae culture collections
  • Supply of inoculum / samples of spirulina strains for the Federation of French Spirulina Producers
  • Production of seeded supports for the cultivation of macroalgae
  • Inventory of local species able to be exploited in France and abroad
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  • Technical assistance for algae production: sizing, installation, and diversification of pilot sites (DADD)
  • Feasibility survey for the establishment of a microalgae production site
  • Development of Porphyra and Palmaria cultures
  • Development of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)
  • Protein and starch enrichment of green algae biomass
Learn more

Ingredients and bio-based products

  • Development of patented algae transformation processes for the production of bioplastics
  • Development and pilot transfer of patented enzymatic processes for the production of bioactive oligosaccharides
Learn more

Specific analysis

  • Quantification of DMSP and acrylic acid in raw algae biomass and extracts
  • Synthesis of new algae-based surfactants
  • Production of algal bioethanol
Learn more

Treat and give value to your effluents

  • Microalgae cultivation on agri-food and industrial effluents
Learn more

Secure the sourcing

  • Establishment of microalgae and macroalgae culture collections
  • Supply of inoculum / samples of spirulina strains for the Federation of French Spirulina Producers
  • Production of seeded supports for the cultivation of macroalgae
  • Inventory of local species able to be exploited in France and abroad
Learn more

Microalgae and seaweed cultivation

  • Technical assistance for algae production: sizing, installation, and diversification of pilot sites (DADD)
  • Feasibility survey for the establishment of a microalgae production site
  • Development of Porphyra and Palmaria cultures
  • Development of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)
  • Protein and starch enrichment of green algae biomass
Learn more