US algae producer expands to Australia 27 October 2010 The California-based algae producer, Aurora Algae, has announced an expansion of its operations, opening a regional headquarters in Perth and plans for its first commercial production facility in north-western Australia. Aurora Algae’s co-founder and Australian Managing Director, Matthew Caspari, will oversee the construction and operation of the commercial-scale facility. “The combination of a perfect climate and the right blend of resources – including abundant seawater, industrial CO2 and skilled labour – made north-western Australia an ideal location for our initial, high-yield commercial facility,” Mr Caspari said. “These elements, combined with the outstanding support of the Australian government at all levels, make Perth a perfect launching point for commercializing our technology,” Mr Caspari added. Nigel Warren, Austrade’s San Francisco-based Senior Trade Commissioner, commented that Aurora Algae’s expansion of operations is not only good news, “but a pleasing outcome because it has required extensive work over the past two years”. “This investment highlights why the United States is a key market for Australia to attract investment into the Australian renewables sector,” Mr Warren said. “It also illustrates the compelling opportunities Australia offers for international investors in the Clean Energy sector.” Aurora Algae produces algae-based products for the pharmaceutical, nutrition, aquaculture and fuels markets. The company’s patented production process uses robust, high-performance algae strains in open pond systems. Aurora Algae has also developed the industry’s first commercial-scale photosynthetic platform for sustainable, algae-based product development, utilizing sea water algae strains that thrive in open ponds. The company pioneered a unique, energy-efficient method for harvesting algae using technology commonly used in the waste-water treatment industry rather than a traditional centrifuge approach. More information |