The bioeconomy is a hot topic these days, right up at the top of policy agendas. It involves using renewable natural resources as a raw material. The circular bioeconomy introduces circularity into this concept: using what would otherwise be thrown away, using spent biological resources to regenerate ecosystems and minimising waste.

The ECESP website has a good selection of circular bioeconomy-themed content. This series will shine a spotlight on it.

Circular bioeconomy concept: converting sugarcane by-products to plant-based omega-3 for feed and food

Corbion AlgaPrime™ DHA for feed and food: a sustainable and circular option in nutrients production

Corbion grows microalgae in closed fermentation tanks where they transform sustainable sugars into algae in a few days.

The production system for algae is fully circular: Corbion’s facility is located among the sugar cane fields next door to a sugar cane mill. Bagasse, a by-product from the sugar mill, is used as a renewable source of energy and fully powers the sugar mill and algae facility. All the water they use is repurposed as irrigation for the sugar cane fields, promoting responsible water management.

The algae are then used to produce omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fatty acids provide essential nutrients for humans and many animal diets: for instance, higher levels of omega-3s in feed support salmon health, by improving organ health and boosting the anti-inflammatory response.

Using omega-3 from algae in feed also has important benefits for nature and the climate, as it reduces dependency on traditional fish oil. Corbion is already able to substitute fish oil with algae oil (and vegetable oil). This decreases the pressure on limited marine fisheries stocks.

Results:

• Corbion is continuing to develop new strains with higher omega-3 content and increase production efficiency to deliver innovation for large-scale businesses in aquaculture with lower environmental impacts.
• They are constantly seeking to become more resource-efficient: their land-use footprint is already small, but they are aiming to guarantee that 100% of their inputs are verified deforestation-free by 2025 (it was 92% in 2022).
• By using algae as a source of omega-3 rather than fish, Corbion has averted the capture of over 1.5 million metric tons of fish over the last five years. This is good for the carbon footprint of feed, since omega-3 from their algae ingredients has a lower carbon footprint than traditional fish oil.