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SaalBio Refineries

Africa's First Algae Biorefinery

Building Africa’s first
Sustainable Algae Biorefinery

Saalbio is dedicated to building a world-class microalgae production and refinery facility in South Africa to become the trusted supplier for high-quality Dunaliella salina (microalgae), naturally derived beta carotene, an excellent source of antioxidants and Vitamin A and plant-based protein alternatives to meat and fish.

With such safe, nutrient-rich microalgae and functional extracts, SaalBio strives to contribute to people’s health at a global scale while supporting the local community, consequently creating social impact in South Africa.

At midterm, a research and innovation centre shall be established to educate locals on healthy living, the need for environmental consciousness and the huge potential of sustainable microalgae-based products.

Commercial-scale algae biomass production

Addressing food, land and water security using plant-based solutions

Combatting climate change through innovative resource use

A focus on creating lasting social impact

Modular high yield, high value adaptable systems

Microalgae deliver the solution for CO2-negative, sustainably produced biomass for food applications – and beyond (feed, cosmetics, fertilizers, biomaterials). Extracts like beta carotene are all natural, safe and provide health-supporting function.

The SaalBio Microalgae Production and Refinery Plant will provide efficient and safe plant-biomass and extracts, besides help mitigate climate change and is dedicated to create social impact in South Africa.

A vision for sustainability

Sustainably, CO2-negative produced microalgae biomass can contribute to bring high quality and nutritious food and feed to our people and animals and support healthy living in respect with our planet.

– David Mjumira, CEO at SaalBio Refineries, Cape Town

 

Microalgae: the ideal crop

Effecient. Safe. Sustainable.

 

What’s so great about algae?

  • Microalgae grows far more rapidly than terrestrial plants, allowing for regular, high-yield harvests
  • Grows on non-productive and non-arable land, so it doesn’t compete with other crops for land
  • Uses less than a tenth of land than what is needed to produce the equivalent amount of biomass
  • Microalgae are more water-efficient than crop plants
  • Water can be recycled and reused through the system

South Africa  – and the world at large – are facing rising problems related to food scarcity, water and energy shortages, land degradation, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Following a concerted global scientific collaboration in research and development, it has been proven in several sites in Europe and the USA that industrial Scale Microalgae production has the potential to assist in sustainably alleviating these issues.

The Saalbio project seeks to develop an industrial-scale Microalgae production facility and downstream processing Biorefinery where microalgae biomass will be cultivated and processed into various bio-based products.

Microalgae Product Markets

Refining the raw algae biomass into extracts and fractions allows a greater reach to valuable markets, minimizing risk, and making production units more adaptable to consumer and market trends.

Addressing Demand: As individuals and markets become more proactive in seeking out sustainable options, there is a growing consumer demand for plant-based products in a variety of industries. Demand for antiviral extracts from microalgae with antiviral properties are also expected to rise in the wake of pandemics.

Addressing Shortages: As fish stocks continue to decline, algae biorefining is the future source of essential fatty acids.

Food

Pharmaceuticals

Bio-pesticides

Animal Feed

Bio-pesticides

Biostimulants

Cosmetics

Contributing to health on a global scale

The Saalbio’s microalgae production and refinery facility aims to become THE trusted supplier for high quality Dunaliella salina microalgae – the richest source of natiral beta carotene, used to produce anti-oxidants and Vitamin A.

With such safe, nutrient-rich microalgae and functional extracts, SaalBio strives to contribute to people’s health at global scale while supporting the local community, creating social impact in South Africa.

Some strains of microalgae are also a remarkable source of protein common in human diet with Spirulina and Chlorella being already widely used and commercialized.

At mid term, a research and innovation center shall be opened to educate locals on healthy living in respect with the environment and on the huge potential of sustainable microalgae.

 

SaalBio strives to contribute to people’s health at global scale while supporting the local community

Visual impairment is a significant health problem in the African Region.”
World Health Organization (WHO)

“More than 140 million children are at greater risk of illness, hearing loss, blindness and even death globally, if urgent action is not taken to provide them with life-saving vitamin A supplements.”
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)