Ever bigger, ever more efficient, ever more animals - that was not an option for us. We were looking for an alternative. In 2011, Johannes first became aware of algae...

After a long period of observation, things slowly became more concrete at the end of 2013. Together with another inventor and pioneer in the algae field, the necessary initial know-how seems to have been gathered.

The first business plans are written, various drafts are discarded, and finally a loan is obtained for the venture. This also shows that every beginning is difficult: How do you explain to a bank what you want to do when there is nothing comparable?

Construction of the greenhouse and the technology begins. In July of the year, the first tank is filled with algae. From here on, a nerve-racking journey to properly produce algae begins...

From foreign algae and small predators in the water, to temperature regulation and harvesting technology, we are confronted with problems across the board. Harvesting for hours, constantly having to refill tanks, various experiments with organic fertilizers - the new beginnings never seem to end.

In the first winter of 2016/2017, we practically rebuilt half of it. The same thing happened the next winter. And again the following winter... It quickly became clear that we would have to put in a lot more energy and know-how than we had originally thought. It was time to roll up our sleeves!

Contact with universities and institutes begins and the exchange has been steadily intensifying since then. But many things are different on a laboratory scale than in a large greenhouse.

Maarten, meanwhile, is using his time in Asia to try to get in touch with everything that looks like algae production. From Bangkok to Delhi, from algae on hotel roofs to hectares of open-air production, his view of how the topic could work is becoming more and more clear.

In the summer of 2018, we began building our own cultivation facility together with Algatec GbR. From now on, we can start production on our own with just a few liters.

In the winter of 2018/2019, the cultivation area will be further modified so that more heat can be retained. At some point in the future, LED lighting will be installed for the winter months. This means we are practically self-sufficient.

We have noticed that we don't have many problems with chlorella algae with spirulina. The algae practically keep themselves clean thanks to the high pH value and at the same time the harvest is much easier thanks to the other form of algae. In 2019 we will ultimately be converting the entire production process.

With the Spirulina, we are also changing the design of our tanks. Square tanks are now becoming oval, in which a paddle wheel ensures that the algae float in a homogeneous circle 24/7. Once again, it's time to rebuild everything!

The underfloor heating also needs to be equipped with additional heating pipes. Instead of 25°C, we now need 35°C. Fortunately, there is no shortage of heat thanks to the neighboring biogas plant.

We have been tinkering around with various harvesting techniques for almost five years. However, the one that annoys us the most is the chlorella algae. From flocculation to vibrating sieves, we have tested a total of five different systems over time.

Spirulina is turning the tide. A technical breakthrough is finally achieved using a drum filter. Vacuum cases and "spaghetti presses" will follow as further process steps, so that everything will be working as expected by the end of 2021.

It took a long time and many miserable attempts. By making the final touches to the drying process, we will be able to produce an outstanding quality at the beginning of 2022.

We notice that few retailers are able and willing to sell German algae. The prices from Asia are simply too tempting, the margins are higher and these algae also come with organic seals.

So we are starting to take marketing into our own hands and are now launching our own brand.