Industrial valorisation of microalgae

We offer a complete range of services geared towards the industrial use of microalgae, from strain screening to production scale-up.

Our teams are there to guide you when it comes to selecting strains and determining the optimal conditions for microalgal cultivation. We launch a battery of tests on various production systems, be they closed or open, and are able to test or develop different types of custom-made photobioreactors.
We also manage recovery operations up to the extraction-purification of the relevant microalgal compounds: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.

Our efforts go a long way towards furthering the development of high-potential innovative products such as bioplastics, biofuels, biomaterials, bio-bitumen, spirulina, etc.
By means of R&D services and collaborative research projects, Capacités presents manufacturers and laboratories with their GEPEA Laboratory know-how in the industrial use of microalgae: reusing CO2, nitrogen and waste heat from industrial activities that cause pollution in order to create valuable resources.

Summary

Services

Strategy and consulting

Diagnostics and screening

Process development

Biorefining

Biorefining

No matter the challenge, our experts deliver practical and innovative solutions

Microalgae, a revolution for

Natural compounds

Microalgae are an innovative source of natural compounds: EPA/DHA, pigments, peptides, proteins, polysaccharides and sterols.

Nutraceutics | Cosmetics

Active molecules

Microalgae are an innovative source of active molecules with unique properties — perfect for enriching your pipeline.

Biotechnologies | Pharmaceuticals

Biomaterials

Microalgae enable the development of innovative materials to replace petroleum-based components.

Chemical industries | Plastics manufacturers

Reducing CO₂ emissions

Microalgae cultivation makes it possible to integrate Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) technologies into plants.

Heavy industries

Screening, selection and optimisation of strains

Our teams have access to the collections of strains from the GEPEA and MMS research laboratories. Where necessary, they can also make use of the RCC and NCC collections, among others. Due to our expertise in strain characterisation, we are able to guide you through the screening, isolation and purification stages.

In a nutshell

STRAIN PORTFOLIO

SCREENING

ISOLATION

CHARACTERISATION

PURIFICATION

TORUS PHOTOBIOREACTORS

Development, testing and automation of cultivation processes

On the strength of our technical resources, we are able to test, measure and monitor all the relevant cultivation parameters for algal biomass production in real time: carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus levels, quantity of light, quantity of water, biological contamination, weather conditions, etc.

We also work on automating cultivation processes by designing monitoring tools capable of automatically adjusting the cultivation parameters in photobioreactors.

In a nutshell

TECHNOLOGY TESTING

CONCENTRATION AND HARVESTING

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

GROWTH MONITORING

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Cultivation

Biomass concentration and harvesting

Process development

Growth monitoring

Treatment and industrial waste recovery

Biorefining, comparative testing and combining unit operations

Our specialists examine the integration of unit operations, either in the research laboratory or on site, with a view to completely recovering the biomass produced. We develop the process up to the extraction-purification of those biomolecules indicated in your specifications. Our research is validated in real-world conditions and on a representative scale.

In a nutshell

HARVESTING

MILLING – ENRICHMENT

EXTRACTION

PURIFICATION

CONDITIONING

Harvesting

Grinding

Concentration and enrichment of target metabolites

Extraction

Adsorption

Biomass conditioning methods

Mass balance, biomass analysis

Along with the unwavering support of the GEPEA and CEISAM laboratories, we possess the expertise and range of analytical equipment necessary for a precise biochemical characterisation of the organic matter present, the metabolites produced and the biomolecules extracted. We are thus able to carry out our analyses in an entirely autonomous and confidential manner.

In a nutshell

PROTEIN DOSAGE

COMPOUND PROFILING

CLASS PROFILING

FAMILY PROFILING

SPECTRO ANALYSIS

NMR

Dosage

Profiling

Types of analysis

Scaling up the microalgae cultivation processes

We test and validate the scale-up and industrialisation conditions of the processes. Our wide array of equipment allows us to design pilots and to implement laboratory-scale production, as well as to make and deliver samples destined for trials (consumer, preclinical and clinical).

In a nutshell

IDENTIFYING CONSTRAINTS

PILOT PLANT

INDUSTRIALISATION

CUSTOM MANUFACTURING

Identifying and validating constraints

Industrialisation of the process

Custom manufacturing

Collaborative research activities and R&D projects

Since we have access to the technical resources and researchers belonging to the GEPEA Laboratory, we are able to develop innovative projects through R&D in the marine bioresources recovery fields, and particularly in microalgae.

In a nutshell

INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

BIOFUELS

BATCH PRODUCTION

INNOVATIVE PROCESSES

EQUIPMENT TESTING

ALGOSOLIS technology and R&D facility

AlgoSolis provides us with the necessary equipment and infrastructure for the controlled, intensive and sustainable use of microalgal resources on a large scale. This platform allows the various stakeholders to develop microalgal cultures in open and closed ponds. The modelling and designing of custom-made photobioreactors is also available. This technology service promotes the development of innovative research projects in the field of blue biotechnology.

In a nutshell

PRE-CULTURE ROOMS

INTENSIFIED PHOTOBIOREACTORS

AIRLIFT PHOTOBIOREACTORS

CLOSED RACEWAYS

OUTDOOR PRODUCTION

GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION

BIOREFINERY HALL

Identifying and validating constraints

Industrialisation of the process

Custom manufacturing

Training in microalgae cultivation

This professional training course, which is headed up by the research professors of the GEPEA Laboratory and the engineers at Capacités, provides the theoretical and practical elements involved in the entire microalgae production chain, from the preparation of media and inoculums to the ultimate harvesting of the biomass produced in natural light. The course is endorsed by the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique.

  • Good cultivation practices [1 day]
  • Cultivation engineering [2 days]
  • Harvesting microalgae [1 day]

Engineering at Capacités

Our biodegradability experts carry out their engineering work directly in the research laboratories of Nantes Université, in particular at the GEPEA. On a daily basis, they combine technical means and scientific discoveries to meet your R&D challenges.

Challenges we’ve met

Need an innovative and resourceful partner?

Capacités teams inspire, harness and couple numerous cutting-edge skills covering a wide range of applications and expertise to meet all of your innovation needs with passion and commitment!

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