In the face of petroleum scarcity, increasing oil prices, market volatility, and climate change, a number of national governments are enacting strong mandates to develop domestic biofuels markets. Meanwhile, as concerns over the sustainability of first generation biofuels intensify, innovative startup companies, strategic partnerships led by large multinationals, and university-led research consortiums are spearheading efforts to develop low-cost and replicable production pathways for advanced biofuels derived from renewable biomass like algae. With no alternative to liquid fuel, the commercial aviation sector and U.S. military are looking to renewable fuel sources such as algae-based biofuels to reduce expenses and mitigate their acute vulnerability to petroleum supply chains.

Yielding 2 to 20 times more oil per acre than leading oilseed crops, algae’s productivity and scalability are its greatest advantages. On paper, algae could displace worldwide petroleum use altogether, however, the industry has yet to produce a drop of oil for commercial production. Although the algae-based biofuels market will grow rapidly once key cost hurdles are overcome, widespread scale-up will be hampered by a number of difficult challenges, including access to nutrients, water, and private capital. With the cost of production still a key obstacle to widespread production, many companies are refocusing production efforts on low-volume, high-value co-products to develop revenue streams over the next decade.

This Pike Research report examines the key growth drivers behind the algae-based biofuels market and outlines unresolved supply challenges. It compares advantages and disadvantages of algae production pathways, leading cultivation techniques, and end-market opportunities. The report includes detailed 10-year market forecasts, segmented by world region, along with analysis of market conditions in key countries and profiles of key industry players that are shaping the emerging algae biofuels business.

Key questions addressed:

• What are the key drivers shaping demand for algae-based biofuels?
• Where will the highest algae-based biofuels production growth occur around the world?
• What are the different cultivation options for algae producers?
• What investment trends and strategic partnerships are driving growth?
• What are the key regulatory and policy issues facing the industry?
• What are the key challenges to widespread algae-based biofuels commercialization?
• What are the key technology trends emerging in the algae-based biofuels market?
• What role will biotechnology play in improving algae yields and what are the potential challenges to widespread GMO-based algae?
• Who are some of the players involved and what are their strategies?

Who needs this report?

• Investors and financial institutions
• Algae-based biofuels producers
• Aviation fuel buyers and partners
• Advanced biofuels industry associations
• Biofuels policy and decision makers
• Government agencies
• Environmental non-profit organizations

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Issues

2.1 The Role of Algae in Energy Markets

2.1.1 The Evolution of Biofuels

2.1.2 The Evolution of Biofuels

2.2 Why Algae?

2.2.1 Algae’s Key Advantages

2.2.1.1 High per-Acre Productivity

2.2.1.2 Non-Food-Based Feedstock Resources

2.2.1.3 Diverse Production Scenarios

2.2.1.4 Use of Otherwise Non-Productive, Non-Arable Land

2.2.1.5 Utilization of a Wide Variety of Water Sources

2.2.1.6 Production of Biofuels and Valuable Co-Products

2.2.1.6.1 Fuels

2.2.1.6.2 Co-Products

2.2.2 Algae’s Key Disadvantages

2.2.2.1 Estimating Costs

2.2.2.2 Water Use

2.2.2.3 Energy Use

2.3 Algae Demand Drivers

2.3.1 Energy Security

2.3.2 Price of Oil

2.3.3 Oil Price Volatility

2.3.4 Economic Security

2.3.5 Climate Change

2.3.6 Legislative and Regulatory Drivers

2.3.6.1 Biofuels Mandates

2.3.6.1.1 North America

2.3.6.1.2 European Union

2.3.6.1.3 Latin America

2.3.6.1.4 Asia Pacific

2.3.6.1.5 Africa/Middle East

2.3.6.2 Cap and Trade

2.3.6.3 Sustainability

2.3.6.3.1 Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels

2.3.6.3.2 ABO Technical Standards

2.3.6.3.3 Low Carbon Fuel Standard

2.3.7 Incentives and Subsidies

2.3.7.1 Tax Credits

2.3.7.2 Grants and Loans in the United States

2.4 Market Opportunities

2.4.1 Biorefinery Concept

2.4.1.1 Biorefinery Economics

2.4.1.2 Current Biorefinery Projects

2.4.2 Co-Location

2.4.2.1 CO2 Recycling

2.4.2.2 Wastewater Remediation

2.4.2.3 Power Generation

2.4.3 Aviation

2.4.3.1 Commercial Aviation

2.4.3.1.1 Growing Demand in Asia Pacific

2.4.3.1.2 EU ETS

2.4.3.2 U.S. Department of Defense

2.5 Market Investments

2.5.1 United States

2.5.2 Rest of World

2.5.3 Oil and Chemical Majors

2.5.4 IPO Market

2.6 Market Constraints

2.6.1 Oil Price Parity

2.6.2 Cultivation and Production Cost

2.6.2.1 Comparative Energy Content and Costs

2.6.2.2 Costs and Availability of Capital

2.6.3 Research and Development

2.7 Lifecycle Analysis

3. Technology Issues

3.1 Overview

3.1.1 Algae Types

3.1.2 Algal Characteristics

3.1.3 Production Pathways

3.2 Algaculture

3.2.1 Resources Required for Algae Production

3.3 Cultivation Strategies

3.3.1 Ponds

3.3.1.1 Characteristics of Open-Pond Systems

3.3.1.2 Sample Open-Pond Strategy

3.3.1.2.1 Raceway Ponds

3.3.1.3 Characteristics of Closed-Pond Systems

3.3.2 Photobioreactors

3.3.2.1 Characteristics of Photobioreactors

3.3.2.2 Sample Photobioreactor Strategies

3.3.2.2.1 Plate Photobioreactor

3.3.2.2.2 Tubular Photobioreactor

3.3.2.2.1 Bubble Column Photobioreactor

3.3.3 Hybrid Systems

3.3.4 Heterotrophic Systems

3.3.5 Offshore Systems

3.3.5.1 Macroalgae Cultivation

3.4 Harvesting and Dewatering Algae

3.5 Oil Extraction

3.6 Emerging Technology

3.6.1 Biotechnology

3.6.1.1 Improving the Algae Yield

3.6.1.2 GMO Risks

3.6.2 Upgrades for Biorefining

3.6.3 Artificial Lighting

3.6.4 Coal-to-Biomass-Liquid

4. Key Industry Players

4.1 Algae Producers

4.1.1 A2BE Carbon Capture

4.1.2 Algae.Tec Ltd.

4.1.3 Algenol Biofuels

4.1.4 Aurora Algae

4.1.5 Heliae Development

4.1.6 HR BioPetroleum

4.1.7 Inventure Chemical

4.1.8 Kai BioEnergy

4.1.9 LakeMaster

4.1.10 LiveFuels

4.1.11 Martek Biosciences Corp.

4.1.12 Oil Fox

4.1.13 OriginOil

4.1.14 PetroAlgae

4.1.15 Phycal

4.1.16 Phyco BioSciences

4.1.17 Sapphire Energy

4.1.18 Seambiotic

4.1.19 Solazyme

4.1.20 Solix Biofuels

4.1.21 Synthetic Genomics

4.2 Industry Players

4.2.1 Airbus

4.2.2 BP

4.2.3 Boeing

4.2.4 Chevron

4.2.5 Exxon Mobil

4.2.6 Honeywell’s UOP

4.2.7 Shell

4.2.8 Valero

4.3 Industry Organizations

4.3.1 Algal Biomass Organization

4.3.2 National Algae Association

4.4 European Algae Biomass Association

4.5 Research Consortiums

4.5.1 Cellana Consortium

4.5.2 Consortium for Algal Biofuels Commercialization

4.5.3 NAABB

4.5.4 Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium

5. Market Forecasts

5.1 Market Projections

5.1.1 Transportation Fuel Demand

5.1.2 Total Biofuels Demand

5.2 Algae Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Market Share Overview

5.2.2 Cost Curve and Price Parity Projections

5.3 World Algae-Based Biofuels Forecasts

5.3.1 North America

5.3.1.1 United States

5.3.2 Latin America

5.3.2.1 Argentina

5.3.2.2 Brazil

5.3.2.3 Mexico

5.3.2.4 Chile

5.3.3 Europe

5.3.4 Asia Pacific

5.3.4.1 China

5.3.4.2 India

5.3.4.3 Australia/New Zealand

5.3.5 Africa/Middle East

6. Company Directory

7. Acronym and Abbreviation List

8. Table of Contents

9. Table of Charts and Figures

10. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology, Notes

List of Charts and Figures

• Algae-Based Biofuels Production by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Algae Production Share by Country, World Markets: 2020
• Total Value of Algae Products, World Markets: 2010
• World CO2 Emissions from Coal Use by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Biofuels CAGR by Type and Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) Mandate, United States: 2009-2022
• Biorefinery Economics per 1 Ton of Biomass Produced by Product
• Opportunities along Algae Cost Curve
• Demand for Commercial Aircraft by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Snapshot of Cost per BTU Algae versus Transportation Fuels
• Snapshot of Cost per Gallon Algae versus Transportation Fuels
• Transportation Fuel Demand by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Biofuels Market Share by Region, World Markets: 2010
• Market Share by Type of Algae, World Markets: 2010
• Market Share by Cultivation System, World Markets: 2010
• Market Share by Conversion System, World Markets: 2010
• Price Parity Experience Curve for Algae-Based Biofuels, United States: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production CAGR by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production, North America: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production, Latin America: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production, Europe: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production, Asia Pacific: 2010-2020
• Algae Biofuels Production, Africa/Middle East: 2010-2020
• Algae Oil Yield Relative to Other Biomass Feedstocks
• Algae Footprint to Displace U.S. Petroleum Consumption
• World Average Insolation Map
• Five Potential Production Pathways for Co-Products
• Water Stress Indicator Map: 2020-2030
• Projected Price per Barrel of Oil, World Markets: 2010-2035
• Office of Biomass Program 2010 Budget, United States: 2010
• Snapshot of Major Stationary CO2 Sources, United States: 2008
• Published Production Costs per Gallon of Algae Oil
• Algae Production Pathways
• Advantages and Challenges of Algae Cultivation Strategies
• Key Resource Requirements for Algae Production Pathways
• Heterotrophic Production Overview
• Algae Biorefinery Concept

List of Tables

• Top 15 Net Importers of Oil, World Markets: 2008
• Biofuels Tax Credits and Subsidies, United States: 2010
• Advanced Biofuels Grant and Loan Programs, United States: 2010
• Snapshot of Integrated Biorefinery Projects
• Snapshot of Commercial Aviation Test Flights Using Algae Fuel
• Federal Investments in Algae, United States: 2009-2010
• International Investments in Algae Biofuels, World Markets: 2010
• Industry Investments in Algae Biofuels, World Markets
• World Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal Use by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Renewable Fuel Standard Mandates, United States: 2009-2022
• Algae Products by Percentage of Market, United States: 2010
• Economic Viability of Microalgae Production per 1 Ton Dry Biomass
• Value of Products from Microalgae
• Demand for Commercial Aircraft by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Mandated Biodiesel Demand, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Mandated Ethanol Demand, World Markets: 2010-2020
• CAGR by Type and Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Snapshot Comparison of Cost per BTU (Based on Spot Rack Prices, January 2010)
• Snapshot Comparison of Price per Gallon (Based on U.S. Nationwide Sampling, August 2010)
• Comparison of Algae Types and Properties
• Characteristics of Algae Cultivation Systems
• Top 15 Biofuels Producers by Country, World Markets: 2010
• Transportation Fuel Demand by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Market Share of Biofuels Production by Region, World Markets: 2010
• Snapshot of Algae-Based Biofuel Companies
• Snapshot of Conversion Strategies
• Snapshot of Production Strategies
• Snapshot of Algae Types Used
• Projected Price Parity Experience Curve for Algae-Based Biofuels, United States: 2010-2020
• Algae Production by Region, World Markets: 2010-2020
• Algae Production and Capacity, North America: 2010-2020
• Algae Production and Capacity, Latin America: 2010-2020
• Algae Production and Capacity, Europe: 2010-2020
• Algae Production and Capacity, Asia Pacific: 2010-2020
• Algae Production and Capacity, Africa/Middle East: 2010-2020
• Algae Market Share by Country, World Markets: 2020
• Algae Market Value, World Markets: 2010-2020