Scope and objectives of the European Algae Biomass Association.
Florence,  30/05/2009

PRO/02/09 Rev7
EABA – European Algae Biomass Association
Scope and objectives – main structure

The EABA draft Statutes are downloadable fro the EABA web-site (www.eaba-association.eu). The
description below explain further the draft scope and objectives of the association. It also summarises
the content of the draft Statutes that will be adopted at the forthcoming 1st EABA Conference and
General Assembly that will be held in Florence next 3-4th of June 2009.

General objective
The general objective of the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) is to promote mutual
interchange and cooperation in the field of algae biomass production and use, including biofuels uses
and all other utilisations. It aims at creating, developing and maintaining solidarity and links between
its Members and at defending their interests at European and international level. Its main target will
be to act as a catalyst for fostering synergies among scientists, industrialists and decision makers in
order to promote the development of research, technology and industrial capacities in the field of
algae.
In this perspective EABA intends to create a basis for:

1. Establishing a permanent liaison with EU and EU Member States’ Institutions
2. Defining and expressing a common position on EU issues (legislation, product specifications,
trade and sustainability standards, etc.), acting as a technology neutral platform
3. Representing the European algae biomass industry and scientific community at international
level
4. Spreading scientific information and knowledge about algae biomass and biofuels production
5. Making algae research and industry alive in public debate
6. Promoting investment and financial support in the field of algae
7. Helping the structuring and planning of research and industrial development on algae
8. Fostering scientific freedom as well as responsibility
9. Studying all economic and technical problems which may impact the algae sector in the
European Union and related countries and studying all the direct and indirect environmental,
social and economic effects of algae production and use
10. Breaking scientific boundaries on algae
11. Promoting the exchange of scientific information and the publication of sound articles
12. Taking all reasonable measures to defend the interests of its Members

1. Establishing a permanent liaison with EU and Member States’ Institutions
One of the main tasks of the EABA is to maintain permanent liaison with the institutions of the
European Union, in particular the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament.
Equivalent links will be kept with national governments in EU Member States, including those of
countries neighbouring the EU. Such national liaisons will be ensured directly and in support of the
national members. The Association aims to raise the attention of EU and Member States’ authorities
on the potential of algae biomass as biofuels and bioenergy source and to promote policies and norm
favouring the industrial development of the algae sector. In particular EABA will focus on the national
implementation of the new EU Directive on Renewable Energies, which contains, among others,
indications on “biofuels produced from waste, lignocellulosic biomass, (…) and algae”, together with
present biofuels technologies.
The Association will also monitor existing and future EU and national legislations, call for tenders,
research and technology platforms initiatives which may impact the algae sector and its various
production chains. Funding Members of the Association have already proposed a project and
requested funding through a specific call for proposal of the EU VII Framework Programme which has
been submitted end of November 2008, and which may be of support of the activities of the
Association.

2. Defining and expressing a common position on EU issues (legislation, product specifications,
trade and sustainability standards, etc.), acting as a technology neutral platform
EABA promotes the mutual understanding among the various components of the Association and the
definition of common positions of the EU algae industry and scientific community to be expressed at
EU and international level. The Association is technology neutral and does not aim at favouring a
particular kind of processing or of final use of algae biomass. This approach reflects the fact that all
the algae production technologies and all the final uses of algae biomass are interdependent (the
economic viability of a nutritional or cosmetic outlet depending on the added value coming from a
bioenergy use of its residues and vice versa, for instance) and need to be considered in this context.
One of the main targets in this context is to perform all those activities (meetings, conference calls,
exchange of information, creation of Ad Hoc groups, etc.) necessary to elaborate a common stance of
the EU algae sector, across all various kind of algae raw materials, technologies and final uses in order
to try to speak with a common voice at EU and international level on all issues impacting the sector.

3. Representing the European algae biomass industry and scientific community at international
level
The Association aims as well at representing the EU industry and research community beyond EU
boundaries, at international level and vis-à-vis various international bodies, obviously without
preventing any individual initiative of its members but rather trying to co-ordinate such initiatives so
to amplify and increase the impact of the overall action of the EU algae sector.
EABA has established permanent contacts also with some international organisations such as the FAO
(the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation) and the UNCTAD (the UN Conference on Trade and
Development) which are directly involved in the algae biomass sector.  EABA aims at creating co-
operative links also with other national, European and international organizations involved in domains
relevant to algae, including the US Algal Biomass Organisation (ABO) with which EABA has already
established communication.
The Association will represent EU research and act as its flag in the international arena and towards
sister Associations in the US, Brazil, Argentina and in other parts of the world.

4. Spreading scientific information and knowledge about algae biomass production
One of the main goals of EABA is to spread scientific information and knowledge about algae biomass
and biofuels production in public organisations and in companies, in university laboratories and in
research and development institutes as well as among decision makers. The main idea is to serve the
needs of the EU and global algae scientific and industrial communities by delivering reliable
information and networking tools to researchers, scientists, industrialists and investors in the EU and
worldwide.

5. Making algae research and industry alive in public debate
EABA intends to make the public opinion and decision makers more aware about the opportunities
provided by the development of algae technology.
In particular, the Association will try to encourage the spreading of reliable scientific information to
the public and to decision makers in a move as to make algae research and industry alive in public
debate and in the press relying a positive image based on correct and verified scientific realities.
EABA will create a logistic and Internet platform for:
- the publication of an information bulletin
- the development of permanently updated “Web” database of all public existing studies pilots and
trials on algae accessible to the members

6. Promoting investment and financial support in the field of algae
Increasing public understanding and appreciation of the importance and promise of algae biomass for
the production of bioenergy, biodiesel and all other outlet represents the main step necessary in order
to promote investment and financial support in the field of algae.
EABA aims to create a permanent interaction with all the bodies and organisations promoting and
coordinating research and development funds in the field of algae. Link have been already established
with the European Commission Directorate General for Research and Development, with Commission
DG TREN and with the EU Biofuels Technology Platform. The Association also aims to play a catalyst
role with private organisations and funds in order to promote investment in algae technologies.

7. Helping the structuring and planning of research and industrial development on algae
In general EABA intends to promote the link between Industry and Research institutes and universities
active in the field with parallel industrial initiatives and demonstration activities such as industrial
pilots laying down bridges from fundamental research to industrial development.
The goal of the Association is also to help the structuring and planning of research and industrial
development on algae, in a technology neutral approach, i.e. respecting the different approaches and
the various research pathways undertaken by its members and by the scientific community in general.

8. Fostering scientific freedom as well as responsibility.
EABA aims at encouraging sound and correct communication on algae acting as a scientific and
industrial reference at EU level. An important objective of the Association is to contribute to the
progress and application of science in the field of algae biomass by creating a solid platform for
delivering reference information and tools that build insights and can enable advancement in research
and in industrial development. The aim is to foster scientific and industrial activities and to uphold the
freedom of research, the interest of scientists, and the need for support of research and pilots. In
parallel the Association will assist in the establishment, and the subsequent maintenance, of
internationally acceptable academic standards in science and technology in the field of algae, among
others in order to avoid that unverified or unverifiable data are disseminated in the EU scientific and
industrial community.

9. Studying all economic and technical problems which may impact the algae sector in the
European Union and related countries
The Association intends to play an essential role in order to contribute to study all economic and
technical problems which may impact the algae sector in the European Union and related countries.
The advancement of research in critical fields and in the most problematic steps of the production
chains requires scientific co-ordination and mutual exchange of information, investment, co-
ordination and of different expertises: EABA’s goal is to create a solid basis in order to promote the
advancement of innovative algae based technologies necessary to solve all technical and eventual
economic problems within a technology neutral approach. Particular attention will be paid to the
environmental impact of algae biomass growth (including also toxicity aspects) and generally to all
sustainability aspects of algae biomass production. Another field of action concerns the follow up and
actions to be taken in the elaboration of standards and norms (CEN norms, EU guidances and
Directives, Novel Foods, etc.) for food and feed uses of algae as well as for their final bioenergy and
biofuels uses. EABA will also study all the direct and indirect environmental, social and economic
effects of algae production and use, i.e. their impact in terms of sustainability, to avoid or minimise
potential negative side effects.

10. Breaking scientific boundaries on algae
EABA emphasises the role of exchange and dialogue as a generator of industrial and scientific
progress. The Association will welcome and push change and innovation, challenging the status quo.
It will encourage entrepreneurial spirit, learn-from-mistakes exchange and promote solution oriented
positive approaches. It will act as a reference organisation for reliable industrial and scientific
information in the field of algae biomass and bioenergy, at same time it will also constantly look for
new ideas, and value “out-of-the-box” thinking. The Association will be open to all the different algae
biomass, bioenergy and biofuels research and production pathways within an approach that gives
value to all of the players of the team in order to contribute breaking scientific boundaries.

EABA intends to establish a boundary-less European and international forum for exchange and
confrontation encouraging people to work collaboratively across businesses, research sectors,
hierarchy and functions. It will constantly seek to break down barriers between organizations, making
its members supportive of each other, seeking partnerships among scientists and entrepreneurs.
One of the main goals of EABA will be to act as a networking platform for the EU algae sector so to
increase communication and transfers of information between specialists of different scientific aspects
of algae  biomass, for example stimulating common projects and networks. EABA will also encourage
the establishment of links between Industry and research laboratories for further applications, new
processes and advanced materials. Tn this perspective EABA will co-ordinate and support:
- the organization of workshops or conferences,
- the holding of courses or of tutorial seminars,
- the organisation of mutual exchanges of scientists and engineers,
- the organization of an annual meeting in the form of a scientific symposium,
- the eventual creation of scientific prizes

11. Promoting the exchange of scientific information and publication of sound articles
EABA aims at establishing a Committee of Publications in order to issue a periodical bulletin with the
most recent developments of research on algae biomass and related applications.

12. Taking all reasonable measures to defend the interests of its Members
Finally EABA aims at taking all reasonable measures to defend the interests of its Members and all
initiatives which may contribute to furthering the goals of the Association.

EABA Main Structure

The Association is set to act as a platform for exchange and dialogue and as a generator of industrial
and scientific progress on the basis of the initiatives of its members, but it also needs to be able to
make bold moves and take influential positions at political level once algae biomass is discussed in EU
or national fora. Its organisational aim is to be efficient, keep things simple and minimise
bureaucracy.

EABA should be governed by the following organisational bodies:
- General Assembly
- President and Vice-President(s)
- Honorary President (an outstanding personality to be eventually identified also at a later stage)
- Steering Board
- Scientific Committee
- Industry Committee
- Secretariat

General Assembly
That should meet at least once a year, gathering all the members of the Association. Only industrial
EABA full members (not observers) can vote. The General Assembly:
- defines EABA’s general strategies,
- elects the President, and the Vice President(s),
- elects and, if need be, revokes the Members of the Steering Board, and their substitutes,
- elects and, if need be, revokes the Members of the Scientific and of the Industry Committees,
- approves the balance sheet of the previous year,
- approves the budget proposal for the following year, which will constitute the basis for the
calculation of members’ contributions
Furthermore, the General Assembly, on proposals from the Steering Board, approves:
- any amendments to the Statutes of the EABA,
- the exclusion of Members

President and Vice-President
The President shall be a person who disposes of sufficient knowledge and experience of the algae
biomass research and industrial development sector. The President of EABA shall only defend the
global interests of the Association. The President of EABA shall chair the Steering Board and the
General Assembly in a neutral and objective manner. The President is responsible for the
implementation of the decisions of the Steering Board.

Honorary President
An honorary President can be eventually appointed on the basis of a voluntary demand formulated by
a well-known international personality which may campaign in favour of the development of the algae
biomass sector.

Steering Board
The Steering Board is composed of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine Board Members,
appointed by the General Assembly. The Steering Board, among others:
- can submit  any proposal to the General Assembly of EABA,
- implements the general strategies defined by EABA General Assembly,
- decides on the admission of new members, after having informed the General Assembly,
- formulates positions,
- decides on strategies, actions and representations,
- delegates responsibilities to the President, Vice-President or to the Executive Director,
- submits all proposals about the Statutes that need to be approved by the General Assembly,
- fixes the level of the annual Membership subscriptions on the basis of the following year’s
budget proposal adopted by the General Assembly.
- creates and dissolves Working Groups.

Scientific Committee
It shall be appointed directly by the General Assembly, and represent the forum of exchange,
discussion and decision of the scientists involved in algae related research. It should also act as
Publication Committee independently validating scientific articles and studies about algae biomass. Its
decisions should be validated by the Steering Committee, with the exception of its actions as
Publication Committee, and implemented by the Secretariat. It is composed by at least 75% of
Scientific Members of the EABA.

Industry Committee
It shall be appointed directly by the General Assembly, and represent the forum of exchange,
discussion and decision of the representatives of algae related industries. Its decisions should be
validated by the Steering Committee and implemented by the Secretariat. It is composed by at least
75% of Industrial Members of the EABA.

Secretariat
The Secretariat is lead by an Executive Director who is in charge of the administration of the EABA and
of the implementation of the day-to-day actions of the Association and of the management of the
EABA budget.
The Executive Director is responsible to the President and to the Executive Board and assists him/her
in the implementation of his/her mission carrying out the tasks he is entrusted with by the President
and the Executive Board.

Membership

EABA membership is subdivided in three levels: Full Members (i.e. Industrial Members, Scientific
Members and Individual Members). Also observers – previously defined as Associate Members – can
participate to the work of the Association without voting rights.
All the full members of the EABA are located or have relevant activities in Europe, i.e. in the European
Union, or in a country candidate to become a part of the European Union, including the EEE and Israel.

1. Scientific Members

The Scientific Members of EABA are non-profit research institutes, universities, research and academic
centres active in the geographical areas defined above, with proven scientific activities, interest and/or
publications in the field of algae biomass. Similar scientific legal entities coming from countries
outside Europe –as defined above – can become Scientific Observers within the Association.
*Initial yearly Membership fee: 150€

2. Industrial Members

The Industrial Members of EABA are companies, pilot projects, algae-biomass technology providers,
research groups and final users as the case may be, that are able to produce or contribute to produce,
transform or use algae biomass in Europe – as defined above. European companies or legal entities
that have already established precise plans of investment in view of producing or transforming or
using algae biomass at industrial level can also become Industrial Members.
Similar industrial legal entities coming from countries outside Europe –as defined above – can become
Industrial Observers within the Association.
*Initial Membership fee is subdivided in a flat fee and a variable fee:
- Flat fee:: 2200€: for large and medium companies, 500€: for small companies (*with less
than 4 employees as proposed distinction based on company turnover, investment, n. of
employees)
- Variable fee: rate to be defined on the basis of the annual turnover of a company or, in
case of a project on the basis of  installed or projected industrial capacity of algae
biomass

3. Individual Members

Individuals (e.g. individual research fellows) with proven interest in the development of the algae
biomass research and industry can become individual members.
*Initial yearly Membership fee: 150€

4. Observers

Can become EABA Observers sectoral associations, consultancies, traders, trade associations,
investors that are active in the field of algae biomass. In general can become Observers all the legal
entities or individuals that because of their geographical situation outside Europe cannot become full
Members of the Association.
*Membership fee: Flat fee of 1500€ plus variable fee to be determined on proportion of turnover,
investment, etc. – see above –

5. Sponsors

Any EABA Member or observer can become Sponsor of the Association. Sponsor status is reserved to
Members which voluntarily support an extraordinary contribution whose minimum level is fixed by the
Steering Committee every year.
*The initial Support Membership fee is fixed at 6.000€.

*The membership levels and fees detailed above are indicative. Final membership levels and respective
financial contributions levels are to be defined by the first Meeting of the General Assembly and
Steering Board.

New Members

Only those legal entities or individual companies satisfying all the criteria specified above can become
a new member of the EABA.
The Steering Board analyses and decides on new membership of EABA.

Press:

2009

June 15 European Body Sees Reasonable Chance For Algae Power (Reuters)

2009

June 10 European Algae Biomass Association launched (REnewable Energy News)

2009

June 9 ECO – ENERGIA – NATA LOBBY ALGHE PER FARE RINNOVABILI (ANSA)

2009

June 5 The Creation Of EABA – The European Algae Biomass Association (EABA)

2009

June Las Algas Cuentan Ya Con Una Asociación Europea Para Fomentar Su Uso Energético (Energias Renovable)

2009

June EU Forms Algae group, Plans First Conference (Biodiesel Magazine)

2009

May 19 PetroAlgae Opens D.C. Office (Washington Business Journal)

2009

May 15 Algae Biomass Producers Organise (Europolitics)

2009

May 14 EU And Scientists To Meet For First Algae Bbiomass Conference (DEA Direct)

2009

May 14 EU To launch European Algae Biomass Association (CheckBioTech)

2009

May 4 Greenpeace: Biodiesel Not Seen As Significant Driver In Amazon Deforestation (Biodiesel Magazine)

2009

April 28 Saline Waste Water Found Perfect For Algae (Biodiesel Magazine)

2009

April 28 Interview On Algae By BioFPR With EBB Secretary General

(Right click to download the .mp3 file) (BioFPR)

2009

April 23 PetroAlgae To Build Plants In China, Taiwan And Japan (F.O.Licht)

2009

April 8

EU finances BioMara: biofuel produced from algae (BioMara)

via European Algae Biomass Association – EABA.

Making biofuel from algae

( Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times )

Chemist Matt Moranville watches another scientist’s experiment on algae at General Atomics in San Diego. The goal is to separate the oil from algae and produce a clean biofuel. Several dozen companies are racing to try to figure how best to extract it.

via Photos: Making biofuel from algae – latimes.com.

This seems to be a highly interesting report. I’ll look through the online information, see if I can have a chat with the authors, and possibly buy the report.

Algae 2020: Biofuel Market Strategies & Commercialization OutlookSummary & Order Form460 pages, publishedJune 2009 Global Algae Market Opportunities and StrategiesAlgae 2020 is a strategic business management study that provides detailed case studies based on site visits and collaborations with leading companies, public-private partnerships, research labs, and provides a set of scenarios, business strategies and an outlook for algal biofuel markets and technology commercialization to the year 2020.The Algae 2020 management study finds the global markets for algal biofuels and biomass are poised for explosive growth in the next ten years. Around the world, an urgent demand for alternative, sustainable fuels, and livestock feed is growing due to feedstock shortages for biodiesel and ethanol, energy independence mandates and initiatives, growing pollution concerns, and increasing population growth in the Emerging Markets of China, India, Africa and the Americas. Compared to other feedstocks, algae holds enormous potential as a high-yield source of biodiesel, ethanol and aviation fuels without competing for food supplies or arable land. For first generation biofuels markets, algal strains with high oil production potential bring much-needed feedstock to biodiesel and petroleum refineries world-wide. An emerging trend algal biofuels is the utilization of synthetic biology and genomics to enhance the productivity and increase the utility of algae to produce designer fuels, animal livestock and fish feed, and green plastics and chemicals from biopolymers.

via Algae Market Study- Algae 2020: Biofuels Markets and Commercialization Outlook – Algae Companies – Algae Commercialization.