Ten partners from seven countries have joined in an innovative project to show that ethanol, biodiesel and bio-products can be produced from algae on a large scale.

The BIOfuel From Algae Technologies (BIOFAT) project, largely funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Program, aims to demonstrate that biofuels made from microalgae can offer energy efficiency, economic viability and environmental sustainability.

Aquatic micro green algae are fast growing plants that can be continually harvested every 1-10 days, allowing for a sustainable production of biofuel with a reduced environmental impact. The algae produce oils that can be converted into biodiesel and ethanol, while the biomass residue can be used for further energy production.

Under the BIOFAT project, the European Commission is supporting three large-scale, industry-led projects aiming to demonstrate the production of algal biofuels from strain selection, cultivation and production, oil extraction, biofuel production to biofuel testing in transport.

The facilities are located in Camporosso, Italy and Pataias, Portugal, with a total cost for the BIOFAT project of €10 016 182.88, including €7 773 133.4 in EU funding.