Australian Algae.Tec and Holcim Lanka to build algae biofuels plant in Sri Lanka

Algae.Tec Ltd., the Australian biofuels firm, announced that it had reached an agreement with Holcim Lanka Ltd. to build an algae biofuels facility in Sri Lanka. Under the agreement, Holcim Lanka Ltd., a cement and building materials company, will allow Algae.Tec’s enclosed modular technology to capture part of Holcim Lanka’s carbon dioxide emissions and use it for the production of biofuel. Algae.Tec’s enclosed modular technology captures carbon dioxide produced by power plants and factories, and then feeds the emissions into an algae growth system. The project will initially consist of a production unit with five photo-bioreactor modules. Holcim Lanka will weigh the benefits of building a bigger facility that would further reduce the company’s carbon footprint. (December 1, 2011)