European projects are turning algae into a serious industrial resource. The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), an EU public-private partnership, backs the work. It spans microalgae biorefineries, seaweed farming and algae-based proteins.
Algae hold proteins, lipids, pigments and carbohydrates. These compounds can serve the food, feed, cosmetics, chemicals and energy sectors.
In southern France, the SCALE project opened a microalgae biorefinery in Baillargues in July 2025. French company Microphyt leads it. The plant makes around 100 tonnes a year of natural active ingredients for health, nutrition, cosmetics and animal feed. It has created about 40 direct and 200 indirect jobs.
The ALLIANCE project is coordinated by Wageningen University in the Netherlands. It is building a circular biorefinery that turns four processing pipelines into 15 near-zero-waste product lines. It uses solvent-free extraction, water recirculation and renewable energy. The team aims for 19 new ingredients and 12 prototypes. Coordinator Iago Dominguez Teles said microalgae are a versatile, sustainable feedstock.
Seaweed is also in focus. In Portugal, BIG-ALGAE is scaling cultivation of five native macroalgae species. SALINA is setting up demonstration sites in several European marine regions. They link cultivation with coastal biorefineries.
The European Commission adopted its Protein Action Plan in July to strengthen sustainable EU protein supply. ALEHOOP demonstrated pilot biorefineries that recover proteins from seaweed and legume side streams. In Sevilla, ALGANOVA grows high-protein microalgae on agro-marine by-products and biogenic COâ‚‚. It aims to upcycle up to 95% of those by-products. Coordinator Lila Otero Gonzalez described the project as a circular alternative to imported protein ingredients.
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