116 Speakers presented their research at AlgaEurope 2021. Here are some of them.
We all long for the days when we can once again hold conferences in person. Given the global limitations, however, AlgaEurope 2021 took place online from December 7th–10th and proved a great success. This year’s version encompassed five virtual tours, 116 Speakers, 61 E-Posters, 292 Delegates, 34 Nationalities, 38 EABA Members and 138 submitted abstracts. Organized by EABA and DLG Benelux, and supported by EU industries, topics addressed scientific, technological, and business-related issues in the Algae Biomass sector that affect activity world-wide.
Each conference day opened with a keynote speaker, and included: Mario Tredici (University of Florence, Italy), Céline Rebours (Moreforsking AS, Norway), Patrick Sorgeloos (Ghent University), and Alison Smith (Professor of Plant Biochemistry & Head of the Department of Plant Sciences at University of Cambridge).
Thematic and scientific sessions followed the keynotes, and topics included Algae Biology, Production to Technology and Processing, Algae Initiatives in the EU, Algae for Food and Health, Algae Biorefineries and Multi-use Approaches, and Funding and Investors. Special features were highlighted by the Young Algaeneer’s Corner, A4F — Round Table, and virtual tours of several algae production facilities.
“We were particularly happy to not only see a high number of participants,” said EABA President Jean-Paul Cadoret, “but also, and perhaps especially, to see a succession of the younger generation that presented work of high standards.”
Young Algaeneers Innovation Awards
The Young Algaeneers Innovation Awards, sponsored by the European Commission, were presented on Day 3 by Lorella De La Cruz Iglesias, Deputy Head of Unit — Blue Economy Sectors, Aquaculture and Maritime Spatial Planning, of the European Commission.
- Nicola Lai of Algoliner (Germany) received the gold award;
- Fengzheng Gao of Wageningen University (The Netherlands) received the silver award, and;
- Alessia Manca & Giacomo Fais of the University of Sassari & Cagliari (Italy) received the bronze award.
EABA acts as a catalyst for fostering synergies among scientists, industrialists, and decision makers to promote the development of research, technology, and industrial capacities in the field of algae. This year saw an expansion of topics including talks by experts and stakeholders in the investment field, as a way to strengthen links with the entire European ecosystem, starting with the European Commission.
EABA executives note that the AlgaEurope conference reflects the dynamics of the sector in all of its rapidly expanding components. “The future will require us to take this expansion into account and there is no doubt that next year’s edition will see further steps in that direction, as much as possible in a face-to-face setting,” said Dr. Cadoret.
The 2022 conference will take place, conditions permitting, in a physical format in Rome, Italy from 6–8 December. More information will be available soon on algaeurope.org.
AlgaEurope organizers express their thanks for the critical role played by this years’ sponsors: A4F (Gold sponsor), The REBECA Project (Gold sponsor), SCHOTT (Gold sponsor), BUGGYPOWER (Bronze sponsor), Yemoja (Bronze sponsor), and Synoxis Algae (Social sponsor).
Conference organizer DLG Benelux B.V. is part of DLG International, the leading German consulting company of the DLG group for the Agribusiness and Food Industry. The company offers international expertise in setting up trade fairs and provides project management and consultancy services.
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