Greater Whitsunday Algae farm named AgTech Global Finalist
The not so humble micro green algae is not just a superfood the super-fit and health conscious but also plays a role in creating a healthy green and carbon neutral economy.
Algae is one of the oldest and most nutritious plant life forms on earth. It's known as a "superfood" due to its incredibly high concentrations of essential nutrients. This superfood however is a superstar also in leading the way to evolve both the AgTech and Biofutures industries in the Greater Whitsunday region.
Genesis Algae Innovation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Mason said the algae farm at Bowen was recently named an Agtech global finalist in the Extreme Tech Challenge.
“No Australian companies won a category despite there being eight finalists – the competition was fierce,” Mr Mason said.
The Extreme Tech Challenge is a non-for-profit public benefit corporation whose mission is to empower startups, creating new tech innovations to address global challenges.
It is the world’s largest competition for purpose-driven technology inspired by the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr Mason said Genesis Algae Innovation is currently working towards a carbon neutral goal and algae production will be key.
He said the work in this field is leading viable, natural solutions to deal with carbon emissions and at the same time intensifying food production, reducing pressure on landscapes and protecting biodiversity.
“Algae is a great sequester for carbon dioxide (CO2) and also methane if it is first combusted, then [CO2] emissions will be captured by the algae.
“The algae doubles every day, produces 50% real protein, contains all the micro and macro nutrients, vitamins, 20% omega oils and important antioxidants.”
Genesis Algae Innovation is the agricultural and environmental services arm of BioGenesis, Australia’s largest commercial algae producer, that exports products here and overseas.
The Biogenesis team is made up of experts in the fields of phycology (algae growing), horticulture and nutrition. Biogenesis Founder and Managing director of Genesis Algae Innovation, Colin McGregor, is one of Australia’s most experienced algae growers, helping a number of Australian companies harness the benefits of algae on a commercial scale, since 2017.
Earlier this year, Genesis Algae Innovation launched AlgaeFeed a neutral, algae-based stockfeed supplement.
Currently one million litres of AlgaeFeed are produced a day onsite in Bowen.
AlgaeFeed contains animal health and nutritional benefits that will directly improve the environment through reducing both direct livestock and greenhouse gas emissions.
Following testing with University of Queensland AlgaeFeed at 25% of the diet has been shown in the lab to reduce methane emissions directly by 20% which equates to 28.5% on a per kilo basis.
“Further lab scale results have shown up to 88% methane reduction using an algae-based formulation which is cost effective for land holders,” Mr Mason said.
Due to its innovative patented growth technology Genesis Algae Innovation is able to produce this product at an affordable price and is readily available and commercially viable.
“These results confirm that AlgaeFeed is a genuine livestock and environmental solution, helping fight climate change while lifting the output and quality of our agricultural products. ”
According to international research one hectare of algae growth ponds absorbs a similar amount of CO2 from the environment as 360 hectares of rainforest.
Mr McGregor said Genesis products not only help the environment by reducing methane emissions but also play a major role in removing carbon from the atmosphere.
“These results confirm that AlgaeFeed is a genuine livestock and environmental solution, helping fight climate change while lifting the output and quality of our agricultural products.
“We are excited to be in a position to offer this unique Australian product to our farmers,” Mr McGregor said.
Mr Mason said now is the time to set transformation targets, so we can lead from the front.
“It is often said the innovation sphere is full of challenges and is disruptive to traditional economies. We can naturally (isolate) carbon dioxide and change the landscape by intensifying food production and de-intensifying land and sea production systems. This will assist in improved quality of life outcomes (air quality, global warming, biodiversity, water quality) and overall ecosystem health which is directly related to liveability in the region,” he said.
For more information on Genesis Algae Innovation visit: https://genesisalgaeinnovation.com/
