1. 2014 Algae Industry Survey
Conducted by the Algae Biomass Organization
March, 2014
www.algaebiomass.org | (877) 531-5512 | info@algaebiomass.org
2. Responses Across the Industry
285 respondents from across the industry
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NumberofResponse(s)
Organization Type
I work for an organization that is: A company that produces or researches algae-
derived products (fuel, feed, nutraqceuticals,
bioplastics, chemicals, etc.)
A research laboratory with government affiliation
A university or college
An equipment or materials provider for the algae
industry
A company that supports the use of algae in industry
(transportation, consumer products, chemicals, etc.)
An equipment or materials provider for the algae
industry
A government agency or department (national or
state)
A supplier of services to the algae industry (legal
services, accounting, other consultant, etc.)
Other
3. Survey Highlights: Significant Optimism
• Algae fuels, feeds, plastics and other
products will be price competitive within the
decade.
• Production and hiring will increase in both
the short and long term.
• Supportive federal policy would accelerate
hiring and production.
Industry insiders broadly believe that:
4. On Track to Price Competitiveness
• More than 83% say it is likely that algae based fuels will by cost
competitive by 2020.
• More than 40% of producers say the price will be below $5.00 per gallon
by 2020.
Given what you know about the algae industry, in your opinion, how likely is it that
algae-based fuels will be cost-competitive with fossil fuels by 2020?
2012 2013 2014
Extremely likely 13% 12% 15%
Very likely 22% 26% 19%
Moderately likely 34% 29% 29%
Slightly likely 20% 24% 20%
Not at all likely 10% 9% 16%
5. On Track to Price Competitiveness
Less than
$1.50/gallon, 8%
$1.50-$3.00/gallon,
20%
$3.00-$5.00/gallon,
14%
$5.00-
$10.00/gallon, 18%
Not applicable/not
sure, 40%
To the best of your knowledge, can you project what your
cost/gallon of algae-based fuel will be in 2020?
6. Industry Pursuing Full Range of Algae
Products
Does your company or organization produce any of the following algal
products? (select all that apply)
Producers 2014
Oils for use in food products 19.50%
Feeds (fish and/or farm) 39.10%
Bioplastics 11.90%
Chemicals 15.20%
Nutritional products or nutraceuticals 35.80%
Fuels 33.60%
Fertilizers 18.40%
Biomass for energy or other uses 35.80%
Non-food specialty oils (cosmetics, lubricants, etc.) 15.20%
Other 21.70%
7. Competitive Feeds from Algae
Extremely likely,
24.8%
Very likely, 40.3%
Moderately likely,
23.9%
Slightly likely, 8.0%
Unlikely, 2.9%
How likely is it that cost-competitive algae-based feeds in
agriculture or aquaculture will be commercially available by 2020?
97% say that algae based feeds will be commercially available in 2020.
8. More than 95% say that algae derived plastics or chemicals will be
commercially available.
Competitive Plastics and Chemicals
Extremely likely,
13.3%
Very likely, 34.3%
Moderately likely,
35.2%
Slightly likely,
12.9%
Unlikely, 4.3%
How likely is it that cost-competitive bioplastics or
biochemicals derived from algae will be commercially
available by 2020?
9. Capacity Continues to Expand
• Production expansion is predicted;
More than 70% of producers expect
to expand production this year.
• 29% said they would expand with
new facilities.
• 29% reported expansion in existing
facilities.
10. Types of Jobs in Algae Industry
• Executives
• Scientists and researchers
• Marketers and salespeople
• Administrative, legal, human
resources
• Operations and production
• Financing
• Customer support
• Student
• Professor
11. Continued Job Growth Ahead
To the best of your knowledge, approximately how many people in your organization or
company (or division) are directly working (or will be working) on algae-related
business at the following times?
Start of 2014 End of 2014 End of 2020
1-50 58% 49% 19%
11-50 24% 33% 28%
51-100 3% 3% 15%
101-500 5% 5% 12%
500+ 0% 0% 3%
Not sure 9% 9% 20%
12. Supportive Policy Accelerates Growth
86% of employers say better federal policy support would accelerate
hiring.
Extremely likely
23%
Very likely
28%
Moderately likely
22%
Slightly
likely
13%
Not at all likely
14%
Employers, how likely is it that you would accelerate hiring
with better federal policy support of the algae industry?
13. Most Critical Technical Challenges
1. Cost-efficient production
systems
2. Harvesting and extraction
systems
3. Finding/developing the
right strains
14. Top Policy Today
The most important federal policies in building a robust
algae industry in effect today:
#1 Research and development grants
#2 Tax credits and/or incentives
#3 Renewable Fuel Standard
15. Top Policy Tomorrow
#1 Regulatory approvals for algae-derived products
#2 Regulatory approvals for siting facilities
#3 Climate legislation
The most important federal policies in building a robust
algae industry not in effect today:
