IHI Corp. develops new strain of algae for fuel conversion efficiency

Japan’s IHI Corp., a heavy equipment manufacturer, said it plans to ship algae-based biofuel for aircraft and thermal power plants by 2014. The company invited media representatives to the rooftop of its research headquarters to demonstrate how algae are being cultivated for practical use.
IHI began cultivation tests in August with algae specially developed for high fuel conversion efficiency.
The Enomoto algae was developed by Taira Enomoto, a biologKobe Universityprofessor at Kobe University. The algae was developed by improving the strain of Botryococcus Braunii, an alga species discovered in Japan. The Enomoto algae is highly resistant to bacterial contamination. It proliferates only through photosynthesis.
IHI said it hopes to mass-produce biofuels that match heavy oil in efficiency and quality. (November 8, 2012)