Omega Green, the algae cultivator in Eemshaven, The Netherlands, has opened a 1ha production location in Safi, Morocco. The company will use the CO2 emitted by HeidelbergCement’s Safi works to grow algae.

The cultivation firm also has plans to upgrade the facility to 4ha with, according to co-owner Bert Knol, long-term goals by the German cement producer to extend the area to 400ha.

The algae absorb 80-100tpa of CO2 from the air, or equivalent to the electricity generation required to power 67 households.

Mr Knol added that a further three Dutch and two German locations are being explored to site algae farms. The algae are used as a nutrient-rich feed for the food, cosmetics and animal feed industries.