Cellana and Living Ink to develop algae biomass

US-based algae-based product developer Cellana and biotechnology company Living Ink Technologies have signed a letter of intent for the joint development and commercialisation of inks containing the former's renewable algae biomass.

Cellana has been producing high-value algae biomass, which is claimed to contain Omega-3 nutritional oils, proteins and other valuable micronutrients.

The algae is reported to be produced at its Kona Demonstration Facility in Hawaii.

Cellana CEO Martin Sabarsky said: "Living Ink has a unique position to use algae in a high-value application, making use of the inherent sustainability of our Hawaii-produced material.

"This innovative use of algae to replace traditional, petroleum-based and often toxic ink components is a win-win-win for the ink and algae biomass industries, consumers and the environment."

In addition, Living Ink offers sustainable algae-derived ink, which is 100% plant-based.

According to the agreement, Cellana will be supplying its whole algae biomass from its Kona demonstration facility to Living Ink will formulate inks and be the route to market.

Living Ink co-founder and chief executive officer Scott Fulbright said: "Cellana is a leader in growing diverse algae outdoors using sunlight, seawater and CO₂.

"This new commercial relationship will help accelerate Living Ink's product development and business development initiatives to produce and sell a range of different renewable inks and print products containing renewable ink."

Both companies have not disclosed the financial details of the agreement.