Multiply – multiplying feasible microalgae-derived products at scale

Microalgae are rich in a broad range of bioactive molecules and have applications in various sectors, representing an emerging feedstock for the bio-based industry. Nevertheless, high costs of cultivation and
processing, along with the scarcity of established downstream applications, are major barriers to the
expansion of the algae sector in Europe. In this context, the project MULTIPLY was initiated in June 2025, a 4-year project coordinated by A4F – Algae for Future with the participation of 17 partners across Europe
and supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. MULTIPLY aims to demonstrate economically feasible and environmentally sustainable microalgae
cultivation and biorefinery processes, for the provision of valuable algal ingredients, suited for the
formulation of mid-price products for the food, feed, biomaterials, cosmetics and lubricants industries.
This will be achieved by pursuing the following objectives:  Develop 10 microalgae-based products for a wide range of applications, including food, feed, cosmetics, biomaterials, lubricants and coatings, meeting market requirements.  Reduce the use of resources and costs in microalgae cultivation at scale, while increasing
productivity, robustness, and control of production, enabling the availability of microalgae biomass
for mid-price range products.  Optimize and upscale sustainable and cost-efficient processes for microalgae biorefinery.  Demonstrate the environmental and economic sustainability of the circular algae-based products, promote social acceptance and market uptake.  Ensure wider reach of MULTIPLY by dissemination, co-creation, exploitation, and communication
activities. To integrate these objectives microalgal biomass of 5 species will be produced by 3 partners in Portugal, Sweden and Denmark; which will be processed into 9 different fractions using multiple technologies;
which will be incorporated for valorization into 10 different formulations by 6 end-users, in Belgium, Italy,
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Spain, France, Norway and Portugal. This work will be complemented with digital tools and circular
approaches to achieve these ambitious goals.
In this communication we aim to present an overview of the project, as well as some early-stage results
from the first 6 months of the project.