Veolia and TotalEnergies have partnered together to accelerate the advancement of microalgae cultivation using CO2. The two partners will amalgamate their resources to develop a 4-year research project at the La Mède biorefinery, operated by TotalEnergies, with the goal of producing game changing biofuel.
Through the natural process of photosynthesis, microalgae will use sunlight and CO2 captured from industrial processes or excess CO2 in the atmosphere to grow. Once it has matured, the algae can be transformed into ground breaking biofuels with low carbon intensity. As part of this project, a test platform will need to be set up to compare different innovative systems for growing microalgae and identify the most efficient ones. Once this has been identified the production will begin on the mass manufacturing of algae farms.
Philippe Seberac, Technical and Scientific Director at Veolia had the following to say regarding the merger: “This unique partnership enables TotalEnergies and Veolia to accelerate the production cycle of a promising alternative energy that is necessary to protect the planet. With this project, Veolia can contribute its technical expertise in optimizing and securing biological treatments to a more global context that will have a positive impact on the ecological transformation. This partnership is an excellent example of the ecological innovation capacities that Veolia wants to offer its customers in response to climate change.”
Marie-Noëlle Semeria, Chief Technology Officer at TotalEnergies announced “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 together with the society.”