About Australian Algae Services

Australian Algae Services

Australian Algae Services Pty Ltd (AAS) is an aquaculture operation for growing marine and freshwater microalgae under controlled conditions. AAS will incorporate proven technologies essential for the growing, harvesting and processing of microalgae for human consumption.

AAS in collaboration with Australia’s leading researchers have developed the optimal growing conditions for the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica, which is the most productive source of a single omega-3 fatty acid, EPA (long chain). Omega-3 fatty acid production from microalgae has generally used Schizochytrium and Crypthecodinium species which principally produce another omega-3 fatty acid, DHA.

Controlled indoor and outdoor aquaculture avoids the contaminants seen in crude fish oils. AAS will grow microalgae species that produce either EPA or DHA. This will allow the production of customised mixtures of these important fatty acids grown in an optimal Australian zone defined as an area that provides the ideal temperature and sunlight to maximise yield.

Goals

The goals of AAS are to be the world’s largest grower of microalgae and the world’s most reliable supplier of commercial products. AAS will supply EPA- or DHA- enriched algae oil, defatted whole algae and high value protein, vitamins and carotenoids.

AAS is the most advanced start-up company in Australia in developing the outdoor raceway algae industry to scale. AAS will be driven by global demand for algae products and algae extracts. The project will be ready with commercial-scale quantities available in 6 months.

The Australian Algae Services team

AAS has an expert team to achieve the goals. Our core team comprises:

  • Donald Jones

    MANAGING DIRECTOR

    Don has over 35 years of experience in engineering construction as well as applied natural sciences and management. His work has taken him to Bougainville PNG, Malaysia, China and the coal fields of Central Queensland.

    These roles have included the project management of biomass waste for the timber industry including oil palm where he led the introduction of responsible enviromental farming practices as they relate to oil palm trunk waste. He also led the design and implementation of construction and procedures including algae species, aquaponic and associated systems.

  • DR KIRSTEN HEIMANN

    TECHNICAL ADVISOR

    Kirsten has a substantial track record in leading industry-partnered research and postgraduate training. She is a senior researcher and one of the country’s leaders in the development of microalgal cultivation, biochemical profiling, biomass processing and product development.

    Putting her research achievements in the field to good use, Kirsten will advise on technical aspects of algae production including the implementation of circular manufacturing principles that will see close to 100% of the produced biomass used for high- and low-value product development.

  • PROF LINDSAY BROWN

    DIRECTOR AND CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

    Lindsay is a pharmacologist with around 240 research publications, now an Adjunct Professor at Griffith University Gold Coast after 11 years as Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland. His research has been on functional foods that provide nutrition as well as preventing or treating chronic diseases.

    Recent studies have included tropical fruits such as Davidson’s plums and mangosteens as well as studies on Australian microalgae and macroalgae. These studies provide options to prevent or reverse common human disorders such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and osteoarthritis. Development of sustainable sources of these functional foods is a key aim of further studies.

  • DR NICOLAS VON ALVENSLEBEN

    SITE MANAGER

    Nick is an experienced Site Manager who will oversee the construction and establishment phase of the operation. He successfully acted as the Site Manager for Pacific Bio during their construction phase in North Queensland.

    Nick has a long history of working with our management team which dates back to his time as a PhD student advised by Kirsten.