New study: potential of the micro-algae industry in the Mediterranean

For ten years now, IPEMED has been producing intellectual contents. It has published mature studies, offering clear recommendations and encouraging a rapprochement of both shores of the Mediterranean: Euro-Mediterranean Energy Community (EEC), Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), Mediterranean Water Agency, etc.

2016 is a crucial year for IPEMED. Indeed, the Institute is strengthening and operationalising its projects, exploring new paths and favouring a cross-cutting approach in its activities. In this regard, IPEMED is willing to examine the potential of the micro-algae industry for the Mediterranean and in particular its contribution to sustainable development in the region.

Objectives of the study:

Research started looking into microscopic algae as food or food supplement as early as 1940, at a time of food shortage. However, the diversity of species suggests that many applications could be found: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal consumption, fertilizers, biobased materials, environment, biofuel, etc. The Mediterranean basin may offer interesting conditions for the culture of micro-algae that we must assess via the first available studies and the first known production units. 

This study will seek to achieve the following objectives: 

1. Promoting an integrated and pragmatic vision of the development opportunities of the micro-algae industry, while taking into account the following criteria: sustainable development, job creation, technological challenges, etc.
2. Providing an overview of the development opportunities of this industry on both shores of the Mediterranean, according to the type of applications;
3. Highlighting potential partnership types between Northern and Southern Mediterranean actors.

This study will be carried out by Jean-Louis RASTOIN, Professor emeritus at Montpellier SupAgro, and will be finalised by May 2016.