The perception of algae

When:

9 September 2014

17:00 Hour - 21:00 Hour

Event organizer:Industrial Design

Description

LGem is an innovative company, founded in 2005, specialising in algae production systems. The name LGem is derived from the words "Light" and "Gem". Here, Gem stands for "gem" or "preciousness". What LGem essentially does is create value with light. Light triggers photosynthesis with which various substances/materials can be produced.

In order to apply algae production industrially, the process has to be controlled and that is not easy. For this purpose, LGem has developed the GEMTUBE system, which will be on display on 9 September.

What makes this system special is that several things are under control, such as oxygen build-up, production of vulnerable algae types, low energy consumption, reliability and easy operation, pollution prevention, scalability, hygiene and cleanability.

Applications Algae
Algae can be found all over the world; there is almost no 'wet niche' that is not inhabited by algae. Over hundreds of millions of years of evolution, this wide variety of natural habitats (living environments) has led to an enormous diversity in species and properties. That diversity can now also be seen in the many potential applications of (micro)algae. The products range from intact cells for animal and human nutrition, all kinds of food supplements (so-called Superfoods), via oil as fish oil substitutes to refined chemicals from the cells as antioxidants and ingredients for cosmetics. Algae can also provide services as wastewater treatment by 'eating' pollutants such as nitrate, ammonium and phosphate. Due to the high cost of algae production, only high-value applications currently yield enough to get out of the cost. This is the focus of LGem's activities for now.

Algae production over a road
To produce algae, a plant needs CO2 and where is that more readily available than along roads. After all, cars emit large amounts of CO2. For the "Garden Festival" in Geneva, Dutch agency The Cloud Collective was selected to take charge of one of 13 gardens for the summer of 2014. One result was an algae production installation above a viaduct. LGem technology was used. Ingrid van de Heijden, from The Cloud Collective was project leader and she will present the project on 9 September

Ingrid van der Heijden of The Cloud Collective has a broad background. She trained as an architect in Eindhoven and worked successively at The Unit Business Communication, Transavia, SNS Bank and architectural firm AWG in Antwerp. She then co-founded The Cloud Collective. The group presents itself by saying, "We are a co-operation of architects, creative minds and designers committed to transform today's surroundings into those of tomorrow".

Sander Hazewinkel of LGem is a graduate of Erasmus University's law school and is therefore not a chemist. His formal position at LGem is Chief Commercial Officer. In 2007, he founded LGem as the first Dutch company to use a closed photo-bioreactor to apply microalgae on a commercial scale.
He will present LGem's technology, applications and perspectives.

Discussion
During the evening, there will also be time for discussion on the potential of algae, economic benefits and climate aspects. We are curious to hear your views on this topic and cordially invite you to the discussion session "the perception of algae".