A global search for the best site for culturing marine micro-algae led a US-based company to Karratha.
Aurora Algae uses algae to convert carbon dioxide (a waste product from industrial processes) into three products: biofuel for use in the mining sector; protein for use in manufactured animal feeds; and omega-3 oils for human nutrition.
Its product and production methods are well suited to dry, arid climates with large amounts of carbon dioxide and seawater as feed stocks. Karratha met all the selection criteria.
With a $2 million State Government grant, the company set up an eight hectare facility with six ponds, which is now producing more than 15 tonnes of algal product a month.
The company has gone on to secure a 600 hectare site nearby to build a full-scale facility – the largest commercial-scale photosynthetic algae plant in the world, manufacturing thousands of tonnes of algae-based matter annually.
With support from local, State and Federal governments, the company has been able to work with industry to help reduce carbon dioxide levels and create products such as clean, renewable biodiesel for use by local companies.
At the opening of the facility the company’s biofuel product was used, for the first time, to power a car leading tours of the plant.