ITC, Lead Partner

THE CANARIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (ITC) AIMS AT PROMOTING THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANARY ISLANDS THROUGH R+D+I ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL SERVICES TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: RENEWABLE ENERGY, DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, MEDICAL ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY.

In ITC biotechnology department, experiments are carried out to test the biotechnological aptitude of native microalgal strains at a semi-industrial scale. The department also provides companies with scientific-technological support (infrastructures, equipment, consulting), helping them to develop systems for producing and processing microalgae in the ITC facilities.



THE ITC BIOTECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT DEALS WITH TWO MAIN ACTIVITIES:

  • scientific-technological support (infrastructures, facilities, equipment, advice) for the production and industrial processing of microalgae → companies (incubated/hosted)
  • applied research on new technologies for microalgae cultivation and processing on a pilot and industrial scale (demonstration projects) → technology transfer

SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT (INFRASTRUCTURES, FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, ADVICE…) FOR THE PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING OF MICROALGAE → COMPANIES (INCUBATED/HOSTED)

Acquisition, adaptation and development of infrastructures, facilities and basic scientific-technological equipment for the industrial development of microalgae production on the island of Gran Canaria (Pozo Izquierdo, ITC lands and annexes) → Support and logistical technical support / 1st Area Technological-Industrial Development

  • Supply of all types of water: seawater, hypersaline, brine, desalinated water (not Chlorine-treated).
  • Experimental development of an integral management system for the treatment of the waste generated by the algae production activity.
  • Algae processing plant with sanitary registries, equipped with centrifuges, spray dryers, freeze dryers, etc.
  • Electrical supply of the area by renewable energy.
  • Systems for the supply of combustion gases from nearby industrial processes (cleaning, purification, compression and channeling)
  • Member of the Platform of Excellence in Blue Biotechnology (land farms: algae, crustaceans, mollusks and fish)

→ POLO I (Area of scientific research / Taliarte): Multidisciplinary scientific and technological counseling, analytical services, support to entrepreneurs, specialized education, recruitment of researchers, etc.

→ POLO II (Experimentation and Incubation Area / Arinaga): 7-12 hectares

→ POLO III (Area of ​​Technological-Industrial Development / Pozo Izquierdo): 3.5 hectares within the ITC facilities available for the development of industrial projects for the production of microalgae (+ 20 hectares of potentially compatible land all around)

APPLIED RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR MICROALGAE CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING ON A PILOT AND INDUSTRIAL SCALE (DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS) → TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

  • Transfer of technologies and methods to cultivate and process the following microalgal species:
    • Dunaliella salina
    • Tetraselmis striata
    • Chlorella sp.
    • Arthrospira sp.
    • Nannochloropsis sp.
    • Navicula salinicola
    • Salt + Dunaliella salina
  • Development of new cultivation and processing technologies, biotechnological processes (bioremediation, CO2 sequestration etc.) and product applications (human and animal food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fertilizers…) → technology transfer to private companies.
    • Staff (Production Manager, Laboratory Manager, Processing Manager, Laboratory Technicians, Aquaculture Technicians, Maintenance Operators, Project Researchers/Technicians…)
    • Production plant: 1,500 m2 (greenhouse: raceways and photobioreactors) + 1,800 m2 (future ITC extension)
    • Processing plant: centrifuges, atomizers, lyophilizers, etc.

 

 

PREVIOUS PROJECTS

 

BANGEN  

Creation of a marine gene bank of Macaronesia.
FAM  

Design and development of new food products from microalgae.
TRES   

Transition to a sustainable energetic model for the Macaronesia (microalgal biomass as biofuel)
LACTOALGA Use of whey for heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae
VENTURI

Use of venturi diffusers in desalination plant brine discharges to reduce environmental impact.
INMOSEAWEED    Microalgae in animal nutrition to enhance immune system.
PSE-Microalgas   

Industrial uses of microalgal biomass.
OMARAT   

Extremophiles microalgae from Morocco.
ALGALIMENTO

Development of a production chain of marine and hypersaline microalgae biomass toward food market
DOWNSTREAM

Pre-industrial scale optimization of microalgae production and development of cost-effective drying methods.
TECHMARAT   

Development of a marine algae biotechnology for the Atlantic region (Canarias-Morocco)
ALGABIOMAC Development of biotechnology industries from exploiting macro and micro marine algae of the Macaronesian regions (and neighboring third country)
APRENMAC Use of endogenous resources for sustainable development activity sectors and high added value: biotechnology, water and energy
BIOVAL Recovery, control and management of marine resources from Macaronesia.
MACBIOBLUE Demo project for helping companies to develop new products and processes in Macaronesia’s blue technology scope
REBECA Excellence blue technology network (microalgae) for the Macaronesia region
MIMAR Tracking, control and mitigation of marine organism spread associated to human and climate change disturbance in Macaronesia region
ISLANDAP R+D+i towards aquaponic development in the up islands and the circular economy