AstraAlgae

About the team

Our team is a diverse collective of bachelor’s and master’s students specializing in biotechnology and food technology. Representing Spain, Indonesia, Greece, and Taiwan, our international team brings unique cultural perspectives and academic expertise that drive our sustainable innovation efforts. Our skill set spans entrepreneurship, bio-refinery technology, process engineering, and environmental and biobased technologies, making us well-equipped to address challenges at the intersection of food science and environmental sustainability. United by our commitment to excellence and a shared vision for a greener future, we leverage our collective knowledge to advance sustainable protein production and biobased solutions. Our cross-cultural, collaborative approach not only strengthens our technical capabilities but also fosters creative problem-solving, ensuring that our solutions are innovative, robust, and globally relevant.

Our vision

Vision AstraAlgae envisions becoming the leading B2B provider of sustainable, hypoallergenic, and digestible microalgae-based protein concentrates and amino acids. Based in the Netherlands, the company aims to serve the semi-pharmaceutical, supplement, and functional food sectors—ultimately addressing global health challenges through innovative, closed-loop bioproduction systems that valorize livestock manure and support a circular, low-impact economy. Problem Statement Current protein sources, whether animal- or plant-based, are increasingly unsustainable. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land degradation, while widely used plant proteins like soy are resource-intensive, often allergenic, and tied to deforestation and biodiversity loss. In countries like the Netherlands, where livestock density is among the highest in Europe, the environmental burden is further amplified by excessive manure production, leading to nitrogen pollution and regulatory pressure on farmers. Meanwhile, the global demand for clean, nutrient-dense, and allergen-free proteins is rising, especially for vulnerable populations. There is an urgent need for a next-generation protein solution that is not only environmentally circular by design, transforming agricultural waste into valuable food ingredients.

Our solution

AstraAlgae’s innovative solution centers on a closed-loop microalgae protein production system that transforms livestock manure into a nutrient-rich cultivation liquid for growing microalgae, yielding a sustainable, hypoallergenic protein product. This process not only repurposes waste—thereby reducing nitrogen pollution and reliance on synthetic fertilizers—but also offers significant advantages over traditional animal- and plant-based protein sources. The final microalgae protein product, rich in essential amino acids (EAAs), is positioned as a high-value ingredient for functional food and semi-pharmaceutical applications. By using recycled manure as the cultivation liquid, AstraAlgae optimizes resource efficiency with reduced land, water, and carbon footprints compared to conventional protein production methods. Microalgae’s high protein yield (up to 7.5 tons per hectare annually) and rapid, year-round cultivation in closed bioreactors underscore its potential as a scalable, environmentally responsible alternative. Socially and economically, the technology supports healthier diets and clean-label products while bolstering brand ESG credentials. The modular system allows integration across farms, urban waste processing, and industrial hubs, ensuring cost-effective and flexible production. This unique approach of combining waste valorization with advanced microalgae cultivation delivers a competitive, sustainable protein source that can meet modern market demands while addressing pressing environmental challenges.

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