Objectives of this webinar:

• Identify regulatory obstacles to nutrient recycling/reuse from waste-derived algae / micro-algae, i.e. which either have had ‘waste’ status or which are grown using waste inputs

• Outline potential valorisation routes, current status of development and market potential, important risk questions (contaminants, safety)

• Propose possible approaches to address key regulatory questions identified

Opening plenary 9h00 – 10h00 CET

Overview of different waste-related algae production potential, potential nutrient recycling routes, current states of development and potential markets, with EABA

Examples of companies valorising nutrients from waste-related algae, including in each case regulatory challenges or questions:

Treatment of municipal wastewater: - benefits and potential, state of development, regulatory questions for nutrient valorisation

Treatment of manures, food wastes, other wastewaters, inc. digestates

Seaweeds

Nutrients removed from algae in biofuels production : valorisation routes, waste or by-product status

Nutrients removed from algae in pharmaceuticals production: valorisation routes, waste or by-product status

Algae grown using wastewater for aquaculture feed

Use of algae production for CO2 capture

Questions and discussion

Technical session n°1, 10h15 – 10h55 CET:

waste-derived algae in the EU Fertilising Products Regulation and REACH

Algae and micro-algae, and materials derived from them, in the EU Fertilising Products Regulation, current status (CMCs 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11), including REACH requirements. With European Commission, DG GROW

Technical session n°2, 11h15 – 11h55 CET:

waste status and other regulatory questions for waste-related algae and materials derived from them

Overview of waste / by-product / product status of different waste-related algae and materials derived from them. With European Commission, DG ENVI

Contaminants. Risk assessment. Development of an algae Quality Standard

Closing plenary 12h15 – 12h55 CET

Proposed EU strategy “Towards a strong and sustainable algae sector” and waste-related algae in this strategy, European Commission DG MARE

Summaries of technical sessions by rapporteurs. Questions, discussion, conclusions, possible next steps