EU Project to Produce Feed, Food and Packaging from Microalgae

An EU-funded project has been tasked with developing alternatives to everyday products such as food colourings, oils for cosmetics and packaging materials using microalgae.

^{Text: Lena Scherman}

The EU project, MULTIPLY, has brought together 17 partners to develop alternatives to various everyday products. The aim is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and what are known as food-based resources.

Five species of microalgae – Diatoms, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Tetraselmis, Nannochloropsis and Chromochloris zofingiensis – have been selected to be refined into ten products to demonstrate the potential of algae for different markets.

These include colourants and protein enrichers for the food industry; salmon feed; oils and esters for cosmetics; lubricants; and materials developed into compostable packaging materials.

MULTIPLY now plans to deliver the first algae extracts and oils for product development in the coming months.

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