Energy company TotalEnergies and ecological transformation company Veolia have partnered to accelerate the development of microalgae cultivation using carbon dioxide (CO2).
The companies will pool their know-how to develop a four-year research project at the La Mède biorefinery in France, operated by TotalEnergies, with the long-term goal of producing biofuel.
Through photosynthesis, microalgae use sunlight and CO2 from the atmosphere or from industrial processes to grow. When mature, they can be transformed into biofuels with low carbon intensity.
As part of the project, a test platform will be set up to compare different innovative systems for growing microalgae and identify the most efficient ones.
Veolia will bring its expertise in the water sector to optimise the management of the microalgae's aquatic environment; and the development of algal biomass as an effective solution for CO2 capture.
TotalEnergies, in synergy with the business lines at the La Mède site, will bring its expertise in the cultivation and refining of biomass to produce advanced biofuels; and CO2 capture and use technologies.
“We are pleased to join forces with Veolia at our La Mède site to accelerate the assessment of microalgae cultivation systems using CO2, in the aim of producing next-generation biofuels.
“Biofuels will enable TotalEnergies’ clients to reduce their carbon footprint, and thus contribute to the ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050,” says TotalEnergies CTO Marie-Noëlle Semeria.