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CaribAlgae creates a cycle of sustainable solutions by transforming waste resources into valuable products by means of algae. Learn how WE DO this!

The Problem

Insufficient functioning waste treatment facilities on Caribbean islands lead to discharging enormous volumes of untreated wastewater into the ocean. This leads to poor water quality causing health problems, discouraging tourism, and pollution of aquatic ecosystems and coral reefs.
Insufficient functioning waste treatment facilities on Caribbean islands lead to discharging enormous volumes of untreated wastewater into the ocean. This leads to poor water quality causing health problems, discouraging tourism, and pollution of aquatic ecosystems and coral reefs.

Waste Water Pollution

Due to high import of products as well as missing technology, Caribbean islands have huge CO2 emissions per capita; Although these islands are small in size, their affect on the rest of the global is huge. Small islands, huge impacts!
Due to high import of products as well as missing technology, Caribbean islands have huge CO2 emissions per capita; Although these islands are small in size, their affect on the rest of the global is huge. Small islands, huge impacts!

Rising CO2 levels

Caribbean islands heavily depend on other countries for import of products such as fossil fuels to provide energy to the inhabitants. This means that Caribbean islands are very economically vulnerable especially when these dependant-countries are impacted economically or politically.
Caribbean islands heavily depend on other countries for import of products such as fossil fuels to provide energy to the inhabitants. This means that Caribbean islands are very economically vulnerable especially when these dependant-countries are impacted economically or politically.

High Economic Vulnerability

Our Solution

CaribAlgae utilizes the excess wastewater as a nutrient source for microalgae, enabling the growth of the microalgae as well as functioning as a wastewater treatment step, resulting in `'clean`' water that can be re-used for irrigation water.
CaribAlgae utilizes the excess wastewater as a nutrient source for microalgae, enabling the growth of the microalgae as well as functioning as a wastewater treatment step, resulting in `'clean`' water that can be re-used for irrigation water.

Recycling of Wastewater

Besides nutrients from the wastewater, algae need CO2 to grow. Large algae production centers take up great volumes of CO2 and store it in the form of algae biomass. In addition, CaribAlgae strives to produce biofuels from the algal biomass, which emit up to 80% less carbon compared to current fossil fuels.
Besides nutrients from the wastewater, algae need CO2 to grow. Large algae production centers take up great volumes of CO2 and store it in the form of algae biomass. In addition, CaribAlgae strives to produce biofuels from the algal biomass, which emit up to 80% less carbon compared to current fossil fuels.

CO2 Sequestration

By stimulating the development of a bio-economy in the Caribbean region, Caribbean islands will become more economically resilient, since all resources are naturally found on these islands, job opportunities will be created for the local community, and high valued products created from waste can be sold locally or exported!
By stimulating the development of a bio-economy in the Caribbean region, Caribbean islands will become more economically resilient, since all resources are naturally found on these islands, job opportunities will be created for the local community, and high valued products created from waste can be sold locally or exported!

Increase of Economic Resiliency

Why Curaçao?

Curaçao is a good representable Caribbean island with a lot of non-arable land and stable year-round climate. Additionally, Curaçao has a great advantage that it lays outside of the hurricane belt, therefore not affected by annual hurricane seasons.
Curaçao is a good representable Caribbean island with a lot of non-arable land and stable year-round climate. Additionally, Curaçao has a great advantage that it lays outside of the hurricane belt, therefore not affected by annual hurricane seasons.

Ideal Climate

Curaçao needs a solution to the above problems now more than ever. Everyday over 300.000L of untreated wastewater is discharged into the oceans. Additionally, political challenges concerning the ISLA refinery is currently putting thousands of jobs at risk as well as the overall economy of Curaçao. A switch to a sustainable alternative is, therefore, not only urgent for our global climate, but also for the 160,000 inhabitants of Curaçao who's lives depend on it.
Curaçao needs a solution to the above problems now more than ever. Everyday over 300.000L of untreated wastewater is discharged into the oceans. Additionally, political challenges concerning the ISLA refinery is currently putting thousands of jobs at risk as well as the overall economy of Curaçao. A switch to a sustainable alternative is, therefore, not only urgent for our global climate, but also for the 160,000 inhabitants of Curaçao who's lives depend on it.

Great Urgency

Curaçao is an autonomous country within the kingdom of the Netherlands, giving the great advantages of being connected to the Europe. Additionally, Curaçao's industrial infrastructure is well established, including entities such as the Port of Curaçao, Curaçao International Airport and the ISLA refinery. And finally, Curacao's geographic location is ideaal for world trade and distribution, ideal as a first test location and showcase for the rest of the world.
Curaçao is an autonomous country within the kingdom of the Netherlands, giving the great advantages of being connected to the Europe. Additionally, Curaçao's industrial infrastructure is well established, including entities such as the Port of Curaçao, Curaçao International Airport and the ISLA refinery. And finally, Curacao's geographic location is ideaal for world trade and distribution, ideal as a first test location and showcase for the rest of the world.

Industrial Infrastructure and Governance

Facts about Curaçao

Population

inhab.

Area

sq km

Average Temperature

°C

GDP

bn $

Curaçao, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands is an island situated some 37 miles (60 km) north of the coast of Venezuela. It is the ideal location to start with CaribAlgae for three reasons; climate, urgency, and governmental reasons. Like most Caribbean islands, Curaçao has an ideal climate for cultivating algae, with high light intensities throughout the year.

Tourism is very important for the island and benefits from clean seawater, coral and beaches. The island’s geology resembles desert-like countries consisting of a lot of dry land that typically can’t be used for agriculture. Additionally, Curaçao has another great advantage as it is one of the few Caribbean islands that doesn’t suffer from annual hurricanes.

WHO

CaribAlgae exists because of a lot of committed people. See who we are, who help us, and connect!

Our Team

We have a small but ambitious team with different backgrounds which allows us to carry out the project and to achieve our vision with the highest degree of success.

Avila Lindgren

Avila Lindgren

Founder and CEO

Avila first became acquainted with microalgae during her master’s degree in Freshwater and Marine Biology (University of Amsterdam).
She spent her childhood growing up on Curaçao and is highly motivated to contribute to the developments and society of the island.

Daniel Browne

Daniel Browne

Algae Science Specialist

During his PhD research at Texas A&M University, Daniel utilised the tools of genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to study the metabolism and physiology of an oil-producing green alga (Botryococcus braunii).
He believes that humans have a responsibility to serve as stewards of the environment, and thinks algae is a great tool to reduce waste.

Sebastiaan Winters

Sebastiaan Winters

Technical Development

With a background in mechanical engineering, Sebastiaan has over seven years of experience working on several of the biggest, multi company executed projects in the Oil & Gas industry.
He believes that algae is the future and wants to make his contribution to a cleaner environment. 

Bobby Verbaan

Bobby Verbaan

Public Relations

Bobby has a master’s degree in Environmental Geography and Environmental Science. Her passion to create a sustainable, holistic future to protect animals, the environment, and future generations first started in her younger years, while growing up on Aruba and Curaçao. 

You?

Become part of the team!

Do you have Algae know-how, are you eager, willing to contribute to this project and don’t mind living in Curaçao? Drop us an email at info@caribalgae.com.

Partners

Without the support of our partners we would not have been where we are today.

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KIVI_SQ
GreenTownCuracao_SQ
BiotechService_SQ
Analis_SQ
CarbonSuckers_SQ
Botryonyx LLC_SQ
UvA_SQ

RESPONSIBILITY

CaribAlgae works on the following Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. Read how!

We provide high-quality jobs for the citizens of Curacao, contributing through social and economic development on the island.
We provide high-quality jobs for the citizens of Curacao, contributing through social and economic development on the island.
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We give employees access to education through technical training in advanced algae cultivation and processing systems.
We give employees access to education through technical training in advanced algae cultivation and processing systems.
We believe in creating high-quality job opportunities for all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation.
We believe in creating high-quality job opportunities for all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation.
We create clean water with the power of algae, recovering nutrients from wastewater and reducing pollution of the environment.
We create clean water with the power of algae, recovering nutrients from wastewater and reducing pollution of the environment.
We aim to produce affordable jet fuel from our algae, reducing the environmental impact associated with flights to and from Curacao.
We aim to produce affordable jet fuel from our algae, reducing the environmental impact associated with flights to and from Curacao.
We are helping to pioneer the algae industry in Curacao and the Caribbean, opening up a new pathway for economic growth.
We are helping to pioneer the algae industry in Curacao and the Caribbean, opening up a new pathway for economic growth.
We are introducing a cutting-edge advanced biotechnology industry to Curacao, the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
We are introducing a cutting-edge advanced biotechnology industry to Curacao, the first of its kind in the Caribbean.
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We will help improve the sustainability of our community by recycling waste into valuable products with the power of algae.
We will help improve the sustainability of our community by recycling waste into valuable products with the power of algae.
We are setting an example by conducting business in accordance with our core principles of environmental stewardship.
We are setting an example by conducting business in accordance with our core principles of environmental stewardship.
We counteract climate change by building an industry that uses algae to consume carbon dioxide and reduce environmental pollution.
We counteract climate change by building an industry that uses algae to consume carbon dioxide and reduce environmental pollution.
We are cleaning wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean, protecting the important marine ecosystems around Curacao and the rest of the Caribbean.
We are cleaning wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean, protecting the important marine ecosystems around Curacao and the rest of the Caribbean.
We use closed systems when treating wastewater for the production of the biofuel to prevent contamination of the land.
We use closed systems when treating wastewater for the production of the biofuel to prevent contamination of the land.
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We find it important to work together and build partnerships across the globe, including universities, corporations, foundations, and governments.
We find it important to work together and build partnerships across the globe, including universities, corporations, foundations, and governments.
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