EABA, the European Biomass Association, and the International Algae Congress, organized by DLG BENELUX, announce today that the EABA Global Conference and 8th International Algae Congress (IAC) will be jointly organized. The meeting will be held on December 1-3. 2014 in Florence, Italy.
EABA and the IAC are convinced that this cooperation between the two main players in the field of knowledge exchange, leads to a unique, stronger and more dedicated European algae platform. A platform for learning and networking in order to develop and increase the social, economic and environment impact of the sector. This cooperation is the first step for further combined programs.
The EABA was founded in 2009. The general objective of the EABA is to promote mutual interchange and cooperation in the field of biomass production and use, including biofuels uses and all other utilizations. It aims at creating, developing and maintaining solidarity and links between its members and at defending their interests at European and international level. Its main target is to act as a catalyst for fostering synergies among scientists, industrialists and decision makers in order to promote the development of research, technology and industrial capacities in the field of Algae.
The aim of the 8th International Algae Congress is to develop benchmarking and exchange of best practice at European / global level and to stimulate new partnerships between all stakeholders and actors involved. DLG supports the mandate it stands for; to promote technical and scientific progress in various agricultural segments. The conferences organised present innovative products, processes and services along the entire value chain.
Algae and algae related compounds, will be playing an enormous role in the global need of nutrients.
The alliance is looking into combining forces on more projects.
After many decades of research into microalgae as an important raw material for food, feed and fish farming the cost aspect remains the main bottleneck. The potential of micro-algae and aquatic biomass is huge, but what solutions are there for hands to earn back the high costs?
Microalgae contain large amounts of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, all of which can be used for different high end applications. Residual products can be sold as biofuels, reducing the cost of production. Biorefinery can ensure that quality products can be isolated and after that sold.
Currently, many eyes are the biorefinery process and the developments aimed to obtain financial viable applications. During the 8th International Algae Congress these developments will be discussed.
The 8th International Algae Congress in Belgium will also address new developments in algae production and harvesting. Most ongoing projects utilize the classical biotechnology method. The cultivation of algae with CO2 and a food source. What possibilities does the new biotechnology ring to algae cultivation? Are we going to grow algae in the dark in the future as to reduce costs?
During the congress themes such as aquaculture, Non food products, nuclear contamination and upscaling will be discussed. The Advisory committee consists of: Karolien Deprez -Flemish Algae Platform, Birgit Schmidt-Puck Haber -DLG eV, Timo Enderle -Cofactor, Viktor Chepurnov -Algae R & D Office, Hans Reith -Wageningen UR.
