As part of the “Algoroute” program, funded by France’s Pays de la Loire region, researchers at laboratories based in Nantes and Orléans used a hydrothermal liquefaction process, i.e. pressurized water (in a subcritical state), to transform this microalgae waste (generated, for example, from the extraction of hydrosoluble proteins for the cosmetics industry) into a black, viscous, hydrophobic substance (bioasphalt) that closely resembles petroleum-derived asphalt (see figure). The process currently achieves a conversion efficiency of 55%.… Login to continue

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