Algakin - Basque Algae Ecosystem

We need the algae

In Europe we face the challenge of meeting our growing demand for food, while at the same time reducing the impacts of our farming and stockbreeding system on the climate, land and biodiversity.

Algae will help to ensure the sustainability of farming and food systems, the development of the circular bioeconomy and the availability of new biologically-based products, according to the European Union.

In line with the European Commission circular economy action plan, the 2024 Basque Country circular economy and bioeconomy plan aims for our region to seize the opportunity represented by algae to help meet the Basque Country’s goals in terms of sustainable development, competitiveness and economic growth.

What are we going to do at Algakin?

Build

up our scientific and technological capacity and specific training.
We want to create synergies between R&D agents in the region to allow them to work together in a coordinated way from cultivation systems to the market.

Boost

business activity.
We are going to foster and attract business activity in the algae food chain, by encouraging its use, backing business startups and attracting foreign businesses.

Generate

social awareness and acceptance.
It is important to make society aware of the opportunities of algae, fostering their acceptance and boosting demand on the market.

Adapt

the region’s regulations to those of the EU.
To do this the legislative measures being taken in the EU to facilitate the marketing of algae-based product must be implemented in the Basque Country.

Algakin is set up to…

Foster research and development of knowledge about algae and transfer this to business.

Drive the creation of an ecosystem favouring the development of the algae-related business fabric in the Basque Country, positioning the region as a landmark in knowledge, technology and business development in the south of Europe.

Members of Algakin

Specialising in food and the marine environment, it is carrying out processes of growing and fermenting algae to obtain algal biomass rich in proteins and other nutrients.

Cordinator of ALGAKIN. Since 2008 it has led research specialising in growing microalgae, approaching this activity as a complement to conventional agriculture to produce foodstuffs and biomolecules of use in agri-food terms.

This holds more than 700 strains of marine and freshwater cyanobacteria and microalgae, mainly from the Basque Country. It is housed in the plant biology and ecology department of the University of the Basque Country’s faculty of science and technology.

In view of the opportunities existing in the algae field, it backs its development within the Basque Country circular economy and bioeconomy plan.

Algae are the present…