FUELGAE reaches key milestones in advancing sustainable biofuels from microalgae across Europe

FUELGAE is a pioneering EU-funded project that unites leading research organisations, industry partners, and innovation experts from across Europe to convert CO₂ emissions into sustainable advanced biofuels. By integrating innovative microalgae technologies with digital modelling and industrial processes, the consortium is developing scalable, low-carbon solutions aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of aviation, shipping, and other transport sectors.

FUELGAE has successfully completed its second period, achieving major progress in developing innovative, sustainable biofuel solutions for transportation. The project is driving forward low- carbon fuel production pathways by integrating microalgae cultivation, CO₂ capture, and advanced biofuel conversion technologies.

From research to validated solutions

FUELGAE entered its development phase, transitioning from early-stage research to demonstration, validation, and exploitation of results. These results demonstrate the project’s growing capability to deliver scalable and impactful solutions for sustainable transport fuels. Key achievements include:

• Optimised microalgae strains, including Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE)-enhanced species,demonstrating improved productivity under CO₂-rich conditions
• Pilot-scale photobioreactor systems commissioned, supporting real-world validation ofmicroalgae cultivation processes
• Development of advanced catalysts enabling efficient conversion of bio-based intermediates intoadvanced liquid biofuels
• Production of biocrude and biochar via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) with promising yieldsand energy content
• Integration of Digital Twin technologies, combining sensors, modelling, and predictive tools for process optimisation

Next steps: scaling solutions towards market uptake

In its final phase, FUELGAE will move towards large-scale validation by expanding pilot operations in real industrial environments, including biorefineries and energy-intensive sectors. The project will focus on advancing concrete commercialisation pathways, supporting the uptake of microalgae-based fuels by industry, and refining business models for market deployment. At the same time, partners will strengthen the project’s intellectual property portfolio by advancing patenting activities and defining clear exploitation strategies for key results. FUELGAE will also deliver detailed sustainability assessments, techno-economic analyses, and policy-relevant recommendations to support regulatory frameworks for advanced biofuels. Through these targeted actions, the project aims to accelerate the transition of its innovations from research to market and contribute directly to Europe’s climate- neutral transport ambitions.

Driving impact for Europe’s green and energy transition

FUELGAE directly contributes to key EU priorities, including the European Green Deal, climate neutrality objectives, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development. The project supports:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through CO₂ utilisation
• Development of non-food-based biofuels, avoiding competition with food supply
• Strengthening of Europe’s bioeconomy and industrial competitiveness
• Deployment of circular, resource-efficient production systems

“The progress achieved during this phase demonstrates how European collaboration can accelerate the development of sustainable biofuels and transform CO₂ emissions into valuable resources.” – Dr Silvia Morales de la Rosa, Project Coordinator, ICP-CSIC.

Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement 10122151. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Source

Fuelgae, press release, 2026-05-27.

Supplier

CERTH
European Union
FUELGAE
ICP - Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry - CSIC

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