Course
Algae Biorefinery
The 4th edition of the advanced biorefinery course is aimed at designing optimal multi-product algae-based biorefinery processes. The topic will span from unit operations to the entire process chain, for both research and commercial applications, with emphasis on current bottlenecks. This edition will focus on both micro- and macroalgae (seaweed), with parallels being drawn between the processing of these substrates and additional ones such as industrial agri-food sidestreams. The course will consist of lectures from academic and industrial experts, case studies and practicals.
Background
Algae, both microalgae and macroalgae, are considered promising feedstock for a variety of applications: food, feed, chemicals, materials and energy. The advantages of this feedstock include a wide variety of potential products, sustainability, high areal productivity in comparison to terrestrial crops, and lack of competition for land that is suitable for agriculture. On the other hand, algae are a relatively costly biomass source, certainly for more bulk products. In addition to cost-price reduction needed for the production / cultivation (e.g. by increasing the scale of sourcing), the biomass value should be maximized by realisation of biorefinery concepts generating multiple value-added products.
Thus to develop a more sustainable and economically feasible process, all major biomass components (e.g. proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) should be used at minimal energy requirements and costs while maintaining the functionality of the different biomass components. Biorefining of algae is a key step for the selective separation and use of the functional biomass components. For those who want to learn more about microalgae feedstock, directly after this course, the “Microalgae Process Design: from cells to photobioreactors” summer school is organised, also held at WUR. These courses together provide a comprehensive understanding of the entire microalgae process chain. When taking both courses we can offer a reduction in total course fee.
Target group
The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, as well as professionals, that would like to acquire a thorough understanding of algal biorefinery. An MSc level in (bio)process technology, or alike, is recommended.
Course aim
This course provides the essential skills for designing optimal algae-based multi-product biorefineries, from unit operations to the entire process chain and for being able to address the present bottlenecks in the process chain. In addition, several speakers from academia and industry will highlight the industrial/economic framework of algae biorefinery. Furthermore, parallels will be made with existing biorefineries as well as other emerging biomass sources such as agricultural and food processing side-streams.
Course design
Through lectures, case studies and practicals, the participants will learn: 1) to understand different process units for each process step in the algae biorefinery chain; 2) to evaluate and optimize the process units by setting up mass/energy balances for each unit; 3) to integrate the different process units in a process chain and 4) to integrate the acquired knowledge into optimal process chains for different business cases with different combinations of end products.
Programme topics
- Unit operations including pre-treatment, cell disruption, extraction and fractionation;
- Biorefinery process design;
- Economic and environmental assessment of the process chain;
- Hands-on processing of algal biomass;
- Novel processing approaches and trends.
Course coordinators
- Dr Iulian Boboescu, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research
- Dr Wouter Huijgen, Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research
Other faculty
- several academic and industrial speakers - t.b.a.
Date & duration
The course will be held from 30 June (afternoon) - 3 July 2025. Course duration: 3.5 days.
Study load
The study load of this course is 0.9 ECTS credits.
Language
The course language will be English.
Contact information
Information concerning the course contents can be obtained from Dr Iulian Boboescu and Dr Wouter Huijgen.
For organisational matters please contact :
Mrs. Yvonne Smolders
Location & accommodation
Lectures will be given at Wageningen University.
The town of Wageningen is 5 km from Ede-Wageningen railway station, with transport options being taxi or bus. Ede-Wageningen railway station is about one hour from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For train schedules visit: www.ns.nl.
Accommodation is not included and should be arranged yourself. Suggestions for accommodation in Wageningen;
Hotels:
Other accommodation:
Registration & course fee
The final registration date is 25 May 2025.
The course fee includes coffee/tea during breaks, lunches and one course dinner, but does not cover accommodation. The course fee depends on the participant's affiliation:
| Early Bird Fee**: | Regular Fee**: | |
| VLAG / WU PhD candidates | € 275 | € 325 |
| PhD candidates | € 500 | € 550 |
| Postdocs and other academic staff / Non-profit | € 725 | € 775 |
| Participants from the private sector | € 1600 | € 1650 |
* VLAG/EPS/PE&RC/WASS/WIAS/WIMEK PhD candidates with an approved TSP
** Early Bird Fee applies to anyone who registers on or before 2 May 2025
We can offer a discount in total course fee when taking this course together with the course on Microalgae Process Design: from cells to photobioreactors (4 - 11 July 2025). See the document in Downloads for more information.
Cancellation policy
After acceptance of your registration, the VLAG Cancellation Conditions for course participants will apply.