Breakthrough In Microalgae Oil Production, Accelerated Ability To Produce Variety Of Different Oils

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A breakthrough in microalgae oil production has been made by researchers at Solazyme. The new technology accelerates the ability of microalgae to produce a variety of different types of renewable oils in the same location; for use in fuels, food, personal-care products, or in the chemical industry. The improvements are possible simply as a result of utilizing standard industrial fermentation (as opposed to open ponds) in combination with Solazyme’s new patented microalgae strains.

We’ve covered the continuing developments of Solazyme’s biotechnology a lot here on CleanTechnica, from its pioneering 2011 100% biofuel-powered US passenger jetliner flight, to the opening of its first commercial scale algae bio refinery in Peoria last year (and a lot in between). It seems to be continuing its growth at an impressive pace — it’ll be interesting to see what comes next.

“Solazyme’s breakthrough biotechnology platform unlocks the power of microalgae, achieving over 80% oil within each individual cell at commercial scale while changing the triglyceride oil paradigm by their ability to tailor the oil profiles by carbon chain and saturation,” a press release from the American Chemical Society notes. “The ability to produce multiple oils in a matter of days out of one plant location using standard industrial fermentation is a game-changer.”


“For the first time in history, we have unlocked the ability to completely design and tailor oils,” says Walter Rakitsky, Ph.D and employee of Solazyme. “This breakthrough allows us to create oils optimized for everything from high-performance jet and diesel fuel to renewable chemicals to skin-care products and heart-healthy food oils. These oils could replace or enhance the properties of oils derived from the world’s three dominant sources: petroleum, plants and animals.”

Solazyme is currently in the process of constructing its first fit-for-purpose commercial-scale production plant in Brazil, with its partner Bunge. The facility is located right next to a sugarcane mill. It will use sugar from the mill to grow the algae. The initial production capacity is expected to be an impressive 110,000 tons of microalgal oil annually. Capacity is expected to be raised over time to around 330,700 tons.