Brazil invests in research for bio-fuels from micro-algae

MercoPress (South America)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Direct Link: http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=14249&formato=html

Brazil will allocate 4.5 million Reais (approx. 2.8 million US dollars) in non-refundable credits to research projects exploring the use of aquaculture or micro-algae products in biodiesel production.

According to a decree signed by the Ministries of Environment, and Science and Technology, research centres interested in the field of study have until September 25th to present their proposals to the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development. The Brazilian government is willing to finance projects based on the following:
• The development of low-cost micro-algae farming techniques that may be used in oil production as a raw material for biodiesel production;
• Studies assessing the potential of different micro-algae types;
• Studies on the economic feasibility of farmed micro algae processes for biodiesel production;
• Research of cost-effective and efficient micro-algae collection and subsequent oil extraction processes.

The selected projects will be announced in October and financing will be released for the projects in December.

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