Novozymes and Sea6 Energy Team on Seaweed Research

February 10, 2012
AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com

ovozymes has announced an exploratory research agreement with India-based Sea6 Energy to co-develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed.

The research alliance will use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food, and fertilizers for plants. Novozymes will research, develop, and manufacture enzymes for the conversion process, while Sea6 Energy will contribute its offshore seaweed cultivation technology.

“Seaweed is a natural complement to our efforts to convert other types of biomass to fuel ethanol,” said Per Falholt, Executive Vice President and CSO of Novozymes. “More than half of the dry mass in seaweed is sugar, and the potential is therefore significant.”

Sea6 Energy, started by a group of graduates and researchers from India’s leading technical institute, IIT Madras, has developed ocean-farming structures that are more robust and versatile than traditional methods of seaweed cultivation. They’ve also pioneered approaches to fermenting sugars from seaweed with minimal use of fresh water resources. Novozymes’ Indian branch will work closely with Sea6 Energy to develop the conversion technology.

Sea6 is currently trialing its cultivation technology in partnership with fishing communities around the coastal areas of South India.

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