ECO-LOGIC GREEN FARM · Project

Integrated Microalgae Farm Producing Food Supplements, Animal Feed, and Biofuel from CO2

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Imagine a greenhouse where tiny algae grow in glass tubes, fed by carbon dioxide from a power generator next door — turning waste gas into valuable protein and omega-3 oils. The same farm also raises chickens and pigs outdoors, creating a closed loop where nothing goes to waste. The algae end up in food supplements, animal feed, fertilizers, and even biofuel. It's like combining a power plant, a fish farm, and a health food store under one roof — except the "fish" are microscopic and grow 30% faster each year in market demand.

By the numbers

+30%

Annual market growth rate for microalgae

150M€

Global microalgae market size in 2016

EUR 2,488,150

EU contribution to demonstration project

Total project deliverables completed

18 months

Project duration (Aug 2015 – Jan 2017)

The business problem

What needed solving

Food supplement and animal feed producers face rising costs for protein and omega-3 sources, while biofuel operators struggle with inconsistent biomass supply. Traditional farming requires large tracts of quality land and produces significant greenhouse gas emissions. Companies in these sectors need a compact, sustainable production system that turns waste CO2 into high-value products like omega-3 supplements, animal feed, and biofuel feedstock.

The solution

What was built

The project built a pilot-scale integrated farm combining microalgae photobioreactors with a syngas combined heat and power plant and outdoor organic chicken and pig farming. Deliverables include the pilot production line, performance verification results, a meeting centre for algae research, and a market replication plan. Seven deliverables were completed across dissemination, exploitation, and pilot production work packages.

Audience

Who needs this

Food supplement producers seeking sustainable omega-3 and protein sourcesLivestock feed companies looking for locally produced high-protein feed alternativesBiofuel refineries and biogas plants needing consistent algae biomass feedstockAgricultural companies interested in replicating low-emission integrated farming modelsCosmetics and pharmaceutical companies sourcing natural algae-based ingredients

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Food supplements and nutraceuticals

SME

Target: Food supplement producers and retailers

If you are a food supplement company looking for a sustainable source of omega-3 and plant-based protein — this project built a pilot production line for microalgae cultivation in photobioreactors that yields pure product with high omega-3 content. The integrated system uses CO2 from syngas combined heat and power, cutting input costs. The global microalgae market was estimated at 150M EUR in 2016 with +30% annual growth, meaning early movers secure supply chain advantage.

Livestock and poultry farming

mid-size

Target: Livestock and poultry feed producers

If you are a livestock producer spending heavily on imported protein feed — this project developed an integrated farm model that grows microalgae biomass as high-protein animal feed alongside outdoor chicken and pig farming. The system runs on reduced land compared to traditional feed crops and captures carbon dioxide instead of emitting it. The concept is available for licensing and market replication.

Biofuel and biogas

mid-size

Target: Bio-fuel refineries and anaerobic digestion operators

If you are a biofuel refinery or biogas plant operator looking for consistent biomass feedstock — this project demonstrated a pilot line producing algae biomass suitable for combustion and organic matrix for anaerobic digestion. The photobioreactor system integrates with a syngas combined heat and power plant, creating a self-sustaining energy loop. The technology is offered for licensing and market replication.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does the production system actually cost to build?

The EU invested EUR 2,488,150 in this SME-2 demonstration project, which gives a ballpark for a pilot-scale integrated algae farm with photobioreactors, syngas CHP, and outdoor livestock facilities. Commercial replication costs would depend on scale and local conditions. The project offers licensing of concept, technology, and brand as an alternative to full build-out.

Can this scale beyond a pilot farm?

The project specifically designed for market replication — Work Package 3 covered pilot production, performance verification, and market replication planning. The model uses low-quality agricultural land and requires reduced land compared to traditional farming, which removes a key scaling barrier. The +30% annual market growth suggests strong demand pull for scaled operations.

What intellectual property is available for licensing?

The project explicitly lists licensing of concept, technology, and brand as a market application. This means the integrated farm design — combining photobioreactors, syngas CHP, and outdoor organic farming — is available as a licensable package. Contact the coordinator through SciTransfer for licensing terms.

What products can I actually sell from this system?

The project identified six revenue streams: biomass for combustion and anaerobic digestion, food supplements for human and animal use, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, fertilizers, complete pilot line equipment sales, and experimental photobioreactors for bio-lighting research. The algae produce pure product with high omega-3 content.

How does this comply with environmental regulations?

The system produces no emissions of greenhouse gases or pollutants and generates no aggressive waters, according to the project description. It actually captures and stores a significant amount of carbon dioxide through the algae photosynthetic process. This positions it well for current and upcoming EU environmental compliance requirements.

What is the realistic timeline to get a facility running?

The demonstration project ran for 18 months (August 2015 to January 2017) to build and test the full integrated system. A commercial replication using the licensed concept could potentially move faster since the design is proven. Based on available project data, the pilot line and performance verification are complete.

Is there ongoing technical support available?

The coordinator is an Italian agricultural SME (Societa' Agricola Serenissima) that built and operated the pilot facility. They offer the complete pilot line for cultivation as a product, suggesting hands-on implementation support. The ancillary meeting centre for algae-based research activities was built as part of the project infrastructure.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — the Italian agricultural SME Societa' Agricola Serenissima received the full EUR 2,488,150 through the SME Instrument Phase 2. With 100% industry composition and no university or research partners, this is a pure commercial demonstration rather than academic research. The sole-SME setup means all knowledge and IP sits with one company, which simplifies licensing negotiations but also means you are dealing with a small agricultural business, not a large corporation. The project website (ecogreenfarm.it) is the direct entry point to the technology holder.

How to reach the team

Italian agricultural SME — Societa' Agricola Serenissima. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to discuss licensing or replication.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this integrated algae farm concept for your market? SciTransfer connects you directly with the technology holder — contact us for a one-page brief and introduction.

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