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Global biotech major Novozymes has partnered with Bangalore-based biotech start-up - Sea6 Energy - for exploratory research and to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed.
The research alliance is expected to use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food, and fertilisers for plants.
According to Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Chairman of Sea6 Energy, “We have already developed ocean-farming structures that are robust and versatile compared to traditional methods of seaweed cultivation. These structures can be used to create large-scale seaweed farms in offshore locations. In addition, Sea6 Energy is also pioneering approaches to fermenting the sugars derived from seaweed to produce fuel in a manner that requires minimal use of fresh water resources.”
“In our partnership with Novozymes we look forward to developing an efficient enzymatic process to convert seaweed to sugar,” he added.
Novozymes will provide research, develop, and manufacture enzymes for the conversion process, while Sea6 Energy will contribute its offshore seaweed cultivation technology.
“Seaweed is a natural complement to our efforts to convert other types of biomass to fuel ethanol,” said Mr Per Falholt, Executive Vice-President and CSO of Novozymes. “More than half of the dry mass in seaweed is sugar, and the potential is therefore significant.”
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