Algae Innovation Hub To Drive Green Circular Economy Using WA Algae

Murdoch University has launched the Algae Innovation Hub, a landmark moment for generating a green circular economy in Western Australia.

Researchers, dignitaries, staff and students gathered at the Hub for its grand opening event, with the official opening delivered by Member for Bibra Lake Ms Sook Yee Lai MLA.

The facility will drive advancements in wastewater treatment, generate sustainable fuel and energy, and discover new ways of sequestering CO₂.

Led by the Harry Butler Institute under the research guidance of Professor Navid Moheimani, the Hub will address some of the world’s most pressing global challenges.

Scientists at the Hub will harness the power of algae using state-of-the-art technology, finding applications across several industries - from improving soil quality and creating safer, cheaper supplements for people with iron deficiencies, to helping remote and regional communities treat their wastewater.

Integral to the new facility is Algae Harvest, a Murdoch University-born company which focuses on commercialising algal biotechnology solutions for sustainable industries.

Professor Moheimani said a particularly powerful application of algae was using it to create biomass, a stable form of carbon.

“We can use the biomass for fertiliser, animal feed, and we are even looking into converting it to produce bioplastics,” Professor Moheimani said.

He added that another key focus was creating high value products from saltwater microalgae, which would increase Australia's sovereign capabilities and create a circular economy that isn’t dependent on using agricultural land and freshwater.

“Western Australia is by far one of the best places in the world for mass production of algae.

We have a series of algae that can grow in a very wide range of salinity. We can use seawater, and we can also recycle the water throughout the process so that we are not wasting the fertilisers.

Murdoch University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said the launch of the Algae Innovation Hub was a continuation of the University’s sustainable legacy.

“For 50 years, Murdoch University has been a leader in sustainability,” Professor Deeks said.

“The launch of the Harry Butler Institute in 2017 was a renewed commitment to supporting the co-existence of human development and biodiversity. Today, the opening of the Algae Innovation Hub marks another milestone in our 50-year sustainability journey.”