Spirulina
Have your heard of spirulina? It is a superfood primarily consumed for its nutritional benefits, including proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Spirulina is often classified in the category of algae and it flourishes in brackish, alkaline water at temperatures between 20 and 40°C.
Spirulina farm
A new farm has been set up in Belgium, focusing on growing and marketing high-quality spirulina. One of our long term partners has installed 4 raceway ponds at the farm. We have lined these ponds with ENPEX FPP 0,75 KIWA film. These ponds will cover an area of 500 m² and will be located under a large double greenhouse.
Raceway ponds
Raceways are commonly used for cultivating spirulina. They are shallow, rectangular channels where water is circulated. Their shallow design makes sure the algae are evenly exposed to natural or artificial lighting. The constant water flow ensures that also the bottom algae are pushed up to receive enough light. What is crucial in the installation, is the tight application of the lining material as it increases the flow of algae.
Lining material
Tight installation of the film is no problem for us. We installed three panels of ENPEX FPP 0,75 under KIWA certification, which we prefabricated in our production facility. At location our welding team welded the panels together, making them fit perfectly into the raceway cultivation tanks.
Cultivation
The cultivation typically takes place from April to October. In spring, the ponds are seeded with the spirulina strain that has been hibernating. Cultivation can begin when temperatures rise. Then comes the harvesting phase, which occurs several times a week.
Algaculture
Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements and its increasingly grown all over the world. And algae cultivation in general belongs to the fastest growing food sectors worldwide. Algae are good for your health and the environment, and it has the potential to play a greater role in feeding the world’s growing population.
(source: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
