The sea and algae have been a source of fascination for me ever since I was a child, probably because they are the foundation of our lives. Also, they are true survivalists in their own right – thriving in freshwater lakes, hot springs, salty seas, and even in the soil and air. We owe almost every second breath to algae: through photosynthesis, they convert carbon dioxide into biomass and produce nearly 50% of the world's oxygen. Their importance as a CO₂ sink is comparable to that of forests. Algae purify wastewater and exhaust gases, form the basis of marine food chains, and provide numerous valuable substances for industrial applications. Their enormous diversity and extraordinary ingredients piqued my interest years ago and continue to captivate me to this day. I am constantly collecting new strains on my travels to evaluate them for commercial use. As only a fraction of the estimated 500,000 algae species have been researched, the potential for new products and applications is immense.

My goal is to replace as much of the increasingly scarce petroleum resources as possible with algae as rapidly renewable raw materials for future generations. Numerous everyday products, such as healthy food and feed, natural dyes, active pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients, biodegradable plastics or sustainable chemicals and fertilizers can be produced from algae biomass and the surrounding mucilage layers. Due to the great phylogenetic diversity of algae, their metabolic pathways and product spectra differ significantly, which opens up a wide range of possibilities for broad technical use.

Under my leadership, the algae team in Köthen has spent more than 20 years researching the biotechnological extraction of valuable and active substances from microalgae, the establishment of new processes for CO₂-utilizing biomass production and processing and the development of innovative algae-based products for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agricultural and chemical sectors. We are investigating which algae can be cultivated stably on a technical scale and which are suitable for the extraction of omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, proteins, bioplastics or petroleum-like hydrocarbons (“algae gas station”). To this end, we have established an algae competence center with its own strain collection, analytical area and algae pilot plant, which enables the transfer of laboratory processes into industrial practice and is constantly being further developed. We use the high chemical diversity with partly unique bioactive compounds for the development of well-tolerated therapeutic agents. In the newly founded research laboratory for algae-based pharmaceuticals (Zentrum für Naturstoffbasierte Therapeutika - ZNT), we are conducting research in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IZI-MWT on the isolation and mode of action of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral active ingredients from algae, including virus-inhibiting lectins and enzyme-inhibiting sulfolipids. 

As part of the BG2Algae project, a microalgae production facility is being integrated into an agricultural operation with a biogas plant and combined heat and power (CHP) generation. For this purpose, several open algae cultivation systems (Raceway Ponds), along with separation and drying facilities, have been set up in vacant barn buildings. These systems enable the cultivation, production, and harvesting of up to 8 tons of algae biomass, which is primarily used for the production of animal feed pellets. A suitable algae strain, Arthrospira, was selected for its stable cultivation in Raceway Ponds and its suitability for both animal feed and food production. The biogas plant with CHP provides not only heat but also carbon dioxide and fermentation residues as nutrients for year-round biomass production. By utilizing vacant buildings and reusing unused material and energy flows, sustainable resource use in line with the circular economy is achieved, increasing value creation. An important part of the project is regular training on algae biomass production, which differs fundamentally from field cultivation. The training includes cultivation, microscopic monitoring of algae vitality, identifying contaminations, determining the right harvest time, and the harvesting and drying of the biomass.

The integration of simple microalgae production systems into farms that utilize unused resources from biogas plants (heat, CO₂ and nutrients) offers farmers a promising opportunity to diversify their operations and open up new sources of income. The algae biomass produced, which is rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can be used to produce healthy food and feed as well as yield-enhancing phytostimulants and fertilizers in field cultivation.

The greatest challenges lie in installing the cost-intensive systems for cultivating, harvesting, drying and quality control of the algae biomass, as well as in acquiring the necessary biotechnological expertise. This includes in particular the multi-stage algae production process, but also knowledge of product application and approval. Another risk, especially for livestock farms, is the potential infection of algae cultures with parasitic foreign organisms, which can bring production to a standstill in no time at all.

Central Germany is one of the world's leading locations for the microalgae industry and offers great value creation potential for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agricultural and chemical companies established in the region. The first microalgae farm based on glass tube photobioreactors was built in Klötze 25 years ago - a technology developed in the region that is now well established around the world. With 500 km of glass tubes, the Klötze algae farm, which produces 20-30 tons of Chlorella algae annually for the German food and animal feed market, is the largest algae production facility in Germany. Together with research institutions, Central German algae companies (such as GICON GmbH, IGV GmbH, KTS Alge GmbH, Knufmann GmbH, Salzbrücke Astaxa GmbH) cover the entire value chain - from research and development to plant construction and marketing.

World Algae Day and the training of IHK-certified algae sommeliers underline Central Germany's role as a hotbed of pioneering developments. Another milestone is imminent: the world's largest algae production plant for the manufacture of omega-3 fatty acids is due to be built in Dessau-Roßlau.

Despite these successes, the algae industry is facing major challenges such as the economic viability of low-price products, increased energy prices, lengthy approval processes, a lack of quality standards and contamination by foreign organisms. These factors are slowing down investment and company growth. Targeted support for research and development is crucial in order to further advance the algae industry in Central Germany. The planned Central German Algae Center (MAZ) in Köthen will pool regional potential and drive forward the development of cost-efficient technologies and innovative products.

Interview: Beatrix Boldt