MiAlgae picks Grangemouth as ideal site for omega-3 production plant
Biotech company hoping for quick decision from planners on project that would create more than 100 jobs in first phase
Omega-3 maker MiAlgae has marked a major step forward in its mission to increase production volumes by submitting plans for a new production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland.
MiAlgae, which uses by-products from the whisky industry as a feedstock to grow omega-3-rich microalgae in a fermentation process, said the first phase of the site is estimated to create over 100 green jobs once operational. The planned expansion will allow MiAlgae to continue to offer retraining opportunities for workers transitioning from the oil and gas industry.
The site is ideally located near distilleries and MiAlgae’s customers in the Central Belt of Scotland, which will help it scale its sustainable production model.
MiAlgae has proved it can achieve commercial-scale production at a demonstrator facility at Balfron, Stirlingshire, and in September last year announced that it had raised £14 million to build a full-scale facility that would produce 3,000 tonnes of omega-3 annually once complete.
Today, the company named its preferred site and said the proposed facility will enable it to address the increasing demands from salmon farming and pet food markets, which are seeking alternative sources of marine omega-3s. MiAlgae is also exploring new markets including meat alternatives, nutraceuticals and livestock feed – sectors with significant global demand.
The new site will be modular, expanding as demand grows, with new facilities planned close to feedstock sources locally and abroad. MiAlgae said timing is critical, and is keen to see the Grangemouth site plans approved as quickly as possible. Alternative sites are being explored as a contingency.
Grangemouth has incredible potential for us. This location offers an ideal position to support our scaling efforts
MiAlgae managing director
Douglas Martin
Douglas Martin, founder and managing director of MiAlgae, said: "Grangemouth has incredible potential for us as we look to the next stage of our growth. This location offers an ideal position to support our scaling efforts and meet the increasing demand for our 'biotech for good' solutions, with the creation of green jobs across engineering, production, and research and development. We are confident that this new facility will help build a greener future and bring high-quality, sustainable jobs to the local community."
Project Willow
MiAlgae has been working closely with various partners, including manufacturer CalaChem, throughout the planning application process. It said it is optimistic about the future and looks forward to the potential for collaboration with the Scottish Government to support the green transition in the region.
Martin added: "The area has a rich industrial history, and we’re proud to contribute to its evolution. We’re also proud to be involved in Project Willow, which encourages green industries to establish themselves in Grangemouth, contributing to the area’s transformation into a hub for green technologies.
"MiAlgae is at exactly the right stage of growth to contribute to the success of Project Willow. We are proven at scale, there is market demand for our product and we’re championing biotechnology in Scotland. We’re looking forward to working closely with local stakeholders and the Scottish Government to make this vision a reality."
MiAlgae said the expansion represents a key milestone in its mission to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional wild fish-based omega-3 production.
