Media Availability: Algae Facts and Experts From the Algal Biomass Organization

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - Apr 5, 2012) - As high gas prices and the need for new supplies of fuel have entered the national energy discussion, the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today announced the availability of experts and information resources that can clarify the potential for algae to provide the nation with a new source of domestically produced fuels.

ABO spokespersons, including ABO executive director Mary Rosenthal, are available for media briefings and interviews regarding the commercial production of algae-based fuels and their impact on energy and economic policy. Several ABO member companies are also available to discuss their efforts to provide the U.S. with large volumes of advanced biofuels.

ABO has also recently announced the launch of Allaboutalgae.com, the first website designed to showcase algae's potential for everyone -- from those just learning about algae to seasoned algae enthusiasts, media and entrepreneurs looking for the latest information on the industry's progress toward meeting challenges in energy security, food production and sustainability.

With over $2 billion dollars in private investment and the interest of some of the largest companies, algae is moving fast toward becoming a real source of fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and other transportation fuels that operate safely in existing engines and infrastructure.

In addition to fuels, renewable algal oils and proteins can be used to produce agricultural feed, nutritional supplements, fertilizers, cosmetics, plastics, specialty chemicals and more.

Several commercial-scale projects are under construction or breaking ground this year, all working to take advantage of algae's unique strengths as a source of renewable fuels and other products:

• Algae can yield up to 5,000 gallons of biofuels per acre, many times the yield of any other crop.
• They don't compete with valuable agricultural land and food crops.
• They are able to thrive in brackish and/or saline water -- they don't need freshwater resources.
• They also have potential to recycle carbon from industrial power plants and remediate wastewater.

"The technology to take advantage of algae on a commercial scale is now available, and investors and entrepreneurs are working right now to take advantage of this new source of oil," said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO.

About the Algal Biomass Organization

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algalbiomass.org.