Cultivating microalgae for omega-3

Jacobo Bouzada Rodríquez was recently out of university where he had studied chemical engineering. Having worked on various marine related research projects, including for fish processing plants, he saw an opportunity to develop a high-value product from a specific species of seaweed that was abundant off the coast of Galicia. Indeed, trials of various types of micro-algae had revealed that the oil that could be extracted from this seaweed was particularly high in omega-3, commonly used as a health supplement.

While fish processing plays a strong role in the economy of Costa da Morte, Galicia, this offered an opportunity to diversify the local economy by bringing together a new type of aquaculture with the manufacturing of a high value product: omega-3 capsules.

With support from the Costa da Morte FLAG, Jacobo found an appropriate production site in proximity to the supply of micro-algae needed and developed his business plan and company, Carbiotech. The FLAG also helped put him in contact with local fishermen and shellfish gatherers to identify and collect the micro-algae which will then be grown to maturity in a specially designed plant. Equipment was designed to press the microalgae and extract and refine the oil. To start with, this oil will be sold directly to the pharmaceutical industry, which will use it for omega-3 capsules and other health supplements. However, at a later stage, Carbiotech foresees developing and marketing these sorts of products itself.