Partnership will study biodiesel and energy from algae
O Estado de S. Paulo
The Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) and Algae Biotecnologia/Biolatina signed a technological cooperation agreement for the development of research focused on the generation of biofuels and bioenergy from microalgae, such as that of vinasse, a by-product of the sugar and alcohol industry. The agreement will have the National Development Bank (BNDES) financing R$ 3.24 million (US$ 1.9 million) in the first research of the university funded by the institution.
The company will invest R$ 360 thousand (US$ 211.8 thousand), totaling an investment of R$ 3.6 million (US$ 2.1 million) in the project. A new microalgae laboratory will be put up in the campus of UFSCar, in Araras (SP), in the Center of Agricultural Sciences of the University, besides pilot projects on bio-digestion, cultivation of microalgae and post-processing (biomass drying and extraction of oil). The team will have ten researchers, among technicians with PhDs and Masters', trainees and a support team.
According to the project coordinator, Reinaldo Gaspar Bastos, the work is "to develop procedures to use the vinasse generated in sugar and ethanol plants, reducing the pollutant impact with the production of microalgae biomass with possible commercial value", he points out. Sérgio Goldemberg, technical manager of Algae Biotecnologia/Biolatina, said the expectation is that all the technological development regarding the production of biofuels and bioenergy be developed within 30 months and becomes available for commercial production.