90
4 Alginates
Table 4.3 Cost estimates for
production of
130,000–220,000 MT/year of
alginate
Cost
Estimates in Million USD/annum
Facilities cost
155
Raw materials
300
Waste treatment
30
Utility
40
Annual operating cost
520
ethanol and alginate from brown algae. The estimated cost for alginate is obtained by
subtracting the cost estimates for ethanol production from brown algae from the cost
of coproducing of ethanol and alginate. An assumption is made that the additional
cost is from the additional process for alginate production and is independent of
ethanol production. The figures given here could overestimate or underestimate the
real cost of production, and however, it is used here merely for comparison of the
costs. The estimated output of 130,000–220,000 MT annually assumes a yield of
50–88% (extracted alginate/theoretical content).
The potential for coproduction of alginate alongside ethanol production from
seaweed biomass is also a possibility. However, assessments show that for such
biorefineries, the alginate production rate required to make the process economically
viable would exceed the current global demand for alginate which could result in a
crash of the alginate market resulting from surplus supply (Konda et al. 2015).
4.9 Conclusion
Alginates have relatively diverse applicability which cuts across several industries
and therefore has a large commercial significance. Extraction of alginate requires
use of acids, alkali and other chemicals which pose some environmental impacts.
The process of harvesting and cultivating brown algae for use in alginate production
offers some benefits to the environment such as CO 2 removal from the atmosphere and
removal of nutrients from water thereby abating eutrophication, when well managed.
Future advancement could possibly see the use of alginates in bioethanol production,
and this is dependent on further advancement in developing enzymes to catalyze the
breakdown of alginate into fermentable sugars. Alginate is one of the aquatic biopolymers with a well-established market, extraction and applications. Nonetheless, there
still exist several aspects where advancements are required, such as the development
of enzymes for controlled hydrolysis and more environmentally and economically
sustainable extraction processes.
4 Alginates
Table 4.3 Cost estimates for
production of
130,000–220,000 MT/year of
alginate
Cost
Estimates in Million USD/annum
Facilities cost
155
Raw materials
300
Waste treatment
30
Utility
40
Annual operating cost
520
ethanol and alginate from brown algae. The estimated cost for alginate is obtained by
subtracting the cost estimates for ethanol production from brown algae from the cost
of coproducing of ethanol and alginate. An assumption is made that the additional
cost is from the additional process for alginate production and is independent of
ethanol production. The figures given here could overestimate or underestimate the
real cost of production, and however, it is used here merely for comparison of the
costs. The estimated output of 130,000–220,000 MT annually assumes a yield of
50–88% (extracted alginate/theoretical content).
The potential for coproduction of alginate alongside ethanol production from
seaweed biomass is also a possibility. However, assessments show that for such
biorefineries, the alginate production rate required to make the process economically
viable would exceed the current global demand for alginate which could result in a
crash of the alginate market resulting from surplus supply (Konda et al. 2015).
4.9 Conclusion
Alginates have relatively diverse applicability which cuts across several industries
and therefore has a large commercial significance. Extraction of alginate requires
use of acids, alkali and other chemicals which pose some environmental impacts.
The process of harvesting and cultivating brown algae for use in alginate production
offers some benefits to the environment such as CO 2 removal from the atmosphere and
removal of nutrients from water thereby abating eutrophication, when well managed.
Future advancement could possibly see the use of alginates in bioethanol production,
and this is dependent on further advancement in developing enzymes to catalyze the
breakdown of alginate into fermentable sugars. Alginate is one of the aquatic biopolymers with a well-established market, extraction and applications. Nonetheless, there
still exist several aspects where advancements are required, such as the development
of enzymes for controlled hydrolysis and more environmentally and economically
sustainable extraction processes.