HAYWARD, Calif. & GERALDTON, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In collaboration with Durack Institute of Technology, Aurora Algae has completed construction of a new algae cultivation test site in Geraldton, Western Australia, to evaluate the potential of the Mid West region for the production of microalgae.
Aurora Algae has operated a pilot-scale algae cultivation facility in Karratha, Western Australia, since May 2011, successfully demonstrating production of up to 15 tonnes of dried algal biomass per month.
“We have fully leveraged the Karratha site, demonstrating the efficient functioning of a small-scale operation, while continuing to refine our cultivation and harvesting processes,” said Greg Bafalis, CEO of Aurora Algae. “With the Karratha site, we believe we have demonstrated the most technologically advanced algae production system in the world. Having achieved this milestone, we are now preparing for the commercial production stage of our operation, beginning with a careful evaluation of various additional potential cultivation sites.”
Geraldton, approximately 1,000 kilometres south of Karratha, is one potential commercial site location being evaluated by Aurora.
“Beyond favorable weather conditions and proximity to the coast, Geraldton also offers a stable, local work force and the additional benefit of being home to the Batavia Coast Marine Institute, whose facilities provide a great environment for ongoing research and development activities,” Mr. Bafalis explained.
Part of Durack Institute of Technology, the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute (BCMI) is a state of the art training, research and development facility located at Separation Point in Geraldton.
“We are very exciting to be collaborating with Aurora Algae on this project,” said Bert Beevers, Managing Director of Durack Institute of Technology. “We believe our existing facilities, expertise and infrastructure will be useful resources during this evaluation stage. Additionally, we appreciate Aurora’s planned investments in infrastructure and processes, which will provide ongoing value to our institution as well as the Mid West region, as the algae cultivation industry continues to grow.”
About Aurora Algae
Aurora Algae is a producer of high-performance, premium algae-based products for the pharmaceutical, nutrition, aquaculture and fuels markets. The Company has developed the industry’s first commercial-scale photosynthetic platform for sustainable, algae-based product development. Aurora Algae’s proprietary algae strains and production process uses arid land, seawater and captured carbon pollution from industrial emitters, resulting in more capitally efficient and more environmentally sustainable algae farming. Aurora Algae enables its customers and partners to improve the diversity and sustainability of their product portfolios, while addressing consumer demand for natural products. For more information, please visit www.aurorainc.com.
About Durack Institute of Technology
Durack Institute of Technology has been delivering high quality education and training to the Mid West and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia for 54 years.
Durack delivers over 150 courses to more than 6,000 students each year across a broad range of disciplines at five campuses with uniquely modern training facilities and resources. Campuses include the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute (Geraldton), Carnarvon, Exmouth, Geraldton (main campus) and Wiluna for remote inland communities.
Durack has regularly become a finalist in the West Australian Large Training Provider Awards over the past five years. In early 2013, Durack was nationally recognised by winning the Excellence in Industry Promotion Award by the Transport & Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) for a program delivered at the BCMI.
Durack provides education and training programs to a diverse range of people including school leavers, mature age students, industry/corporate groups, international students and/or employers.
About Batavia Coast Maritime Institute (BCMI)
BCMI is a modern, custom designed facility incorporating computing labs, teaching classrooms, laboratories, a maritime simulator room, aquaculture hatchery, marine ornamentals production area, a NATA-accredited environmental testing laboratory, horticulture and CALM greenhouses, aquaponics and hydroponics demonstration facilities.
BCMI delivers training in a range of nationally recognised qualifications with strong links to industry. This includes working closely with vocational education in schools providing opportunities for students to learn in classrooms as well as simulated working environments.
Small class sizes at BCMI allow for personalised tuition in range of industry relevant courses such as aquaculture, horticulture, sustainability, laboratory science, conservation and land management and all maritime tickets. With the video conferencing facility, staff and students are able to participate in two-way video and audio communication with research and development institutions around Australia and the world.
