The University of Antofagasta (UA) and companies Productora de Algas Marinas Ltd (Prodalmar) and Panades y Cia have founded the first regional partnership to commercially exploit biofuel projects developed domestically.
The alliance will help catapult the commercialisation of microalgae-based biodiesel, researched and developed by scientist Mariella Rivas of UA-Cicitem for production.
A total investment of USD 7.5 million is slated for the project, USD 700,000 of which will be funded by the companies over the next five years, and another part by the Chilean State.
“This consortium will remain a national initiative, for which we are inviting the University of the Temuco Border, as well as major industries, [and] carbon-dioxide-generators in particular, to participate,” said UA Research Director Carlos Riquelme.
The objective is to be producing microalgae-based biodiesel “on a large scale” within five years, Rene Piantini, general manager of Prodalmar, explained.
It is estimated that when the production of the biofuel begins on a commercial scale, it will replace a major percentage of the market currently occupied by traditional diesel and coal in Chile and reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.
Mario Pizarro, a Panades y Cia executive, explained that microalgae farming requires a CO2 percentage, which allows for the reconversion of the gas.
“In this way, the CO2 producing industries, along with diminishing emissions, will be able to enter the carbon bond market,” Pizarro added.
“We have a great advantage, which is the successful research work developed at the UA, which has already been demonstrated. In addition, the University of the Temuco Border will support us with its experience in the extraction of biodiesel from biomass,” said Riquelme.
The UA also reported that it will develop an international seminar on Algae-based Biofuel Production together with the National Energy Commission next October.
According to National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA) statistics, fish resource harvests totalled 293,700 tonnes through April 2009, 10,800 tonnes of which corresponded to algae.
Seaweed represented 100 per cent of algae production, with the majority harvested from Regions X and VIII, that is, 5,700 tonnes and 4,300 tonnes, respectively, indicates the latest Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Report released by the Fisheries Subsecretariat (SUBPESCA).
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