Scientists at Bio Architecture Lab in Berkeley Convert Seaweed Biomass Into Ethanol. Can They Go Large?

Bio Architecture Lab (BAL) has over 60 patents pending for technologies that convert seaweed into fuels and chemicals that produce products like green plastics, surfactants, agrochemicals, synthetic fibers and nutraceuticals

Scientists working at the biofuel and renewable chemicals company, Bio Architecture Lab (BAL) headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., have genetically modified bacterium so that they can efficiently break down and digest seaweed to produce ethanol and other compounds.  Now the trick is to figure out how to make seaweed biomass a viable solution for energy use on a large scale. 

BAL’s patented technology converts seaweed carbohydrates into renewable chemicals and fuels. This works by first transforming seaweed into a renewable chemical intermediate, and from this intermediate, chemicals and fuels are produced through chemical synthesis or fermentation

Currently, Bio Architecture Lab is partnering with industry, academic and aquaculture leaders worldwide to demonstrate that seaweed biomass can provide the large scale production of ethanol that is needed to make it a viable alternative fuel option.  BAL is focused on enabling the production of the world’s lowest cost, most scalable, and sustainable source of sugars for biofuel and renewable chemicals from aquafarmed, native seaweed. 

Although seaweed is already harvested at commercial scale in other countries for other uses,  BAL is working on a pilot plant, which should be operational this year in Chile, to convert seaweed into fuel.  BAL expects the plant will allow the company to demonstrate a complete value chain from feedstock cultivation (seaweed farming) to advanced biofuel production.

Bio Architecture Lab CEO Daniel Trunfio says they can go anywhere with the technology, “We like to say we’re seaweed agnostic — we can process any brown algae.”

P.S.- Have you heard about The Green PolkaDot Box! Recently launched with over 12,000 members and backed by the Organic Consumer's Association, you can easily buy NonGMO organics at wholesale pricing online. It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living!! You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic.

Sources: bio architecture lab, Science News
Photo Source:  bio architecture lab