Ocean Rainforest - Algecenter Danmark

MACR &
MacroBiotech
A viable means for the commercial cultivation
of marine biomass in an open ocean
environment
Olavur Gregersen, MSc. Econ.
Managing Director of Ocean Rainforest sp/f, Faroe Islands
Grenaa, 19. September 2012
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Content of presentation
S Conceptual framework for offshore cultivation
S Macro Algae Cultivation Rig (MACR)
S Accomplishments until today
S MacroBiotech
S NORA funded project commenced September 1, 2012

Conceptual framework
for offshore cultivation
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Advantages of macro algae
as marine biomass
S Significantly higher growth rates than
land based plants (10x)
S No need for fertilizers
S Not competing with human food
source
S Enormous area usage potential
(Oceans 70% of the Earth's surface)
S Untapped marine resource to be
utilized in rural regions for food, feed,
pharma and energy production
The bioactivity in the World's ocean, with
red
being the most active, followed by yellow.
The North Atlantic Ocean is one of the most
fertile areas of the world.

The Sustainable Story

Cultivation
Business Proces

The bottlenecks of the value
Bottleneck
chain
Bottleneck
Value of
produce

MACR
Macro Alage Cultivation Rig for off-shore deployment in
water depths up to 200 meters.
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Vision of
Ocean Rainforest Ltd.
S To become a leading
supplier of sustainable
marine biomass to the
biopolymer and
bioenergy industries
S How:
S Development of the
world’s largest open
ocean macro algae
cultivation installation.

Concept design
S The company has
developed and tested for
since March 2010 a
protoype on 50-70 water
depth.

Engineering – Pilot Testing
MACR 1: 300 meter horizontal line, 1200 meters vertical lines

Exposed site
to the North
Atlantic Ocean
Examples of wind
measurements on the pilot
site
March 26, 2010
March 27, 2010
March 28, 2010
March 28, 2010

Accomplishments
S Various pre-studies completed
S Macro algae farming equipment
designed and constructed � MACR
S Site permits to pilot farming acquired
S Pilot farming equipment deployed on
exposed 50-70m depth ocean in March
2010 in the North Atlantic – has
survived 10-12 m. high waves.
S Letter of Intent with major
Hydrocolloids Producer on purchase of
specified macro algae production for
the next two years.
S 0,5 Mio. DKK grant from NORA in 2012
(+ 0,5 DKK in 2013).

MacroBiotech
Sustainable macro-algae cultivation for food, feed and renewable
energy production
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Main objectives
S Demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of the
MACR concept with selected macro algae species.
S Develop and test harvesting methods which ensure the
storage stability.
S Analyze bioactive compounds of cultivated species with
respect to market potential.

Work Packages
2 year project,
Total budget: 2,6 Mio. DKK

Project outcome
S A proven concept of an ecologically sustainable system for seeding, cultivating
and harvesting macro algae in an open ocean location.
S Successful deployment of 7000 meters of seeded lines by the end of Year 2
(2014)
S Year 1 (2013): 15 tonnes dry seaweed
S Year 2 (2014): 40 tonnes dry seaweed
S Positive market feedback on quality and price
S A strategy for market penetration within a commercially sustainable framework.

The MACR Haversting
vessel
as a FPSO (floating produciton, storage and
offloading)

In conclusion
S After 30 months, the MACR
remains in situ, intact and has
proven the capability to
withstand the energetic wave
climate and storms of the North
Atlantic
S Cultivation test commenced
September 2012
S Aim for first harvest June 2013

Further information
Olavur Gregersen
Managing Director
Ocean Rainforest sp/f
olavur@syntesa.fo
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