Advancing Microalgal Growth with Hyperthermophilic Fermentation Effluent
Photo: Arctic Algae AS
Breakthrough in Sustainable Algae Cultivation
We are thrilled to announce a major advancement in our ongoing collaboration with Arctic Algae. Recent results have demonstrated that partially replacing the conventional growth medium with our nutrient solution obtained from hyperthermophilic fermentation can substantially boost the growth of Chlorella. This discovery not only opens new avenues for sustainable protein and lipid production but also signals a transformative step toward more efficient and cost-effective microalgae cultivation.
A New Chapter in Microalgae Cultivation
Microalgae have long been recognized for their versatility. They can grow under different conditions—autotrophic (using light and CO₂), heterotrophic (using organic carbon), or mixotrophic, which combines both methods. In our recent trials, mixotrophic cultivation, enriched with our fermentation-derived nutrients, resulted in significantly higher biomass yields. This method leverages both photosynthesis and organic nutrient uptake, paving the way for more robust and efficient cultivation processes.
Transforming Waste into Value
Our process begins by converting abundant surplus biomasses, such as straw and molasses, into a pasteurized, nutrient-rich liquid through hyperthermophilic fermentation. Operating at elevated temperatures (around 80°C) with specialized bacterial cultures, this process breaks down biomass otherwise considered waste into key nutritional components— such as dissolved sugars, acetic acid, ammonium, and amino acids. The resulting hygienized effluent serves as an excellent nutrient supplement, reducing dependency on synthetic inputs and lowering operational costs.
Hyperthermics’ mixotrophic CCU concept. Patent pending
Key Findings and Energy Dynamics
Arctic Algae’s testing has revealed several exciting outcomes:
Enhanced Growth: The addition of our fermented nutrient solution markedly increases the growth rate of Chlorella, even when used to partially displace standard growth media.
Optimized Nutrient Uptake: The nutrient-rich effluent supports efficient assimilation of essential elements, driving superior biomass production.
Energy Efficiency: Interestingly, the energy provided by the effluent is modest compared to the substantial increase in productivity. This suggests that our approach might also be enhancing the energy efficiency of photosynthesis, an insight that holds promise for further optimization.
System-Level Impact: A Multidisciplinary Innovation
This breakthrough is significant not only from a biological standpoint but also in terms of industrial scalability and economic viability:
Resource Optimization: By converting waste into high-quality nutrients, we reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy.
Operational Efficiency: The streamlined fermentation process minimizes energy inputs and supports a closed-loop nutrient cycle—an essential factor for large-scale operations.
Broad Applications: Enhanced microalgae cultivation can revolutionize sectors ranging from sustainable aquafeed and alternative proteins to carbon capture, biofuels, and nutraceuticals.
The Road Ahead
Building on these promising results, our next steps will focus on scaling up the technology and fine-tuning the integration of hyperthermophilic fermentation with microalgae cultivation. We are particularly excited to explore ways to further enhance photosynthetic efficiency and optimize nutrient uptake, thereby unlocking even greater potential for sustainable bioproduction.
We extend our sincere thanks to Arctic Algae for their expertise and partnership. As we continue to push the boundaries of sustainable biotechnology, we look forward to sharing more updates on our journey toward a greener, more efficient future.
Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we advance the frontier of sustainable algae cultivation!
ISO certifications necessary for the company's operations and growth
The company's commercialization requires a bigger organization, at the same time as we get more customers and a more extensive network of subcontractors. And we must act in countries that do not have the same legal regulations that we are used to here in Norway.
In this picture, certification according to international standards – ISO - is necessary.
So far, Hyperthermics is certified under ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Management System for the Environment, ISO 45001 Management System for the Working Environment, and ISO 27001 Information security.
Per Knut Dimmen, our Senior Designer & Production Manager is responsible for certification and implementation. We ask him what this is about.
- The short version is that these standards tell us how we should act internally and externally, what customers should expect from us in terms of quality and ethics, what demands we should make on subcontractors, and how we should handle our social responsibility.
We need to have this in place when it starts to take off so that all old and new employees are drilled on their responsibilities daily. If you begin in Hyperthermics, this is part of our DNA.
- You said that this is something you never finish?
- Regular audits are made to check that we comply with the standards we are certified to. Being certified is, and must be, absolutely committing.
A reasonable cost
The establishment, implementation, and practice of all these certifications have a price, but for Per Knut Dimmen and the rest of the management team, this is what is called "a cost of income acquisition":
- Credibility in the market will help give us more customers and loyal customers, good routines increase our efficiency, and fewer mistakes and errors (the goal is zero) positively affect the bottom line.
Everything is connected to everything.
The phrase is a well-known truth for most people, but perhaps more so for certifiers than others? Per Knut Dimmen smiles:
- It is when you start working on modifying the requirements of each standard for everyday life in your company that you understand it. It doesn’t take many operations until you have touched all our ISO standards. Look at the listing at the bottom of the article - it gives a good overview.
- A lot to be aware of, in other words?
- I would say the opposite. You work better and more correctly because you see the connections.
Overview of the relevant ISO certifications and their benefits of them:
ISO 9001 Quality system
· The world's most recognized standard for quality management.’
· Sets requirements for targeted work with the company's quality system and processes
· A proof that your company works actively to meet the highest quality and customer satisfaction demands.
The benefits of ISO 9001 certification
· Achieve increased customer loyalty and increased the repurchase rate by meeting customer requirements and expectations
· Be able to work smarter and save time, money, and resources
· Reduce incorrect production and increase profits by improving the company's processes
· Motivate and engage employees with transparent and efficient internal processes
· Reduce costs and time to market through more efficient use of corporate resources
ISO 14001: 2015 Management system for the environment
· The world's most recognized standard for environmental management.
· More and more customers expect your company to be able to document that you work systematically to reduce the impact on the environment.
· With an ISO 14001 certification, you will be able to demonstrate your environmental responsibility and stand out from the competition.
The benefits of certification according to ISO 14001
· Focus on environmental management and strengthen your business opportunities
· Cut costs by reducing waste and energy consumption
· Make your own organization aware of how the company affects the environment
· Work more efficiently and cut costs
· Create a lasting competitive advantage and a good reputation
ISO 45001 Management system for the working environment
· The world's first ISO standard for working environment.
· The purpose of ISO 45001 is to provide companies with a good tool for leading and managing their work environment and preventing and reducing work-related illness, injury, and death.
The benefits of certification according to ISO 45001
· The company can document its achievements in the work environment. Several national and international companies require certification. An internationally accepted standard can provide an opportunity to compare companies' performance across national borders and national rules.
· The company can demand that suppliers comply with the working environment standard.
ISO 27001 - Information Security Certification (ongoing)
· ISO / IEC 27001 is the world's most recognized standard for information security. The bar has a holistic approach to IT security and describes best practices for protecting your data.
· An ISO 27001 certification shows that you take sensitive customer data and confidential information seriously and is a confirmation from an independent, competent, and accredited body that the company complies with the requirements of an internationally recognized standard for information security.
The benefits of certification according to ISO 27001
· Improving information security through certification can reduce the risk of sensitive personal information or confidential and business-critical information going astray.
· Avoid fines, lost revenue or lost reputation due to insufficient information security.
· It can improve your market position, and your organization appears credible in information security to your customers and partners.
Successful capital raise for Hyperthermics AS
In recent months, the biotechnology company Hyperthermics AS has conducted successful tests at its pilot plant in Denmark and is experiencing significant commercial interest. The strengthening of the capital base enables the company to take the next steps towards commercializing its technology.
- We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the capital raise. This shows that the results we have achieved in the past year are appreciated by both existing and new investors. With a strengthened capital base, we can continue to deliver on our business plan, where we will bring our technology into the market for European biogas producers
Hyperthermics' technology is based on the use of hyperthermophilic bacteria to break down organic material for biogas and protein production. The bacteria's high working temperature makes the breakdown of organic material more efficient and provides customers with higher gas production for the same amount of input. The main markets are biogas producers and fish farmers with land-based or closed facilities.
- In the biogas area, we are close to the end of a successful test phase with a leading European biogas producer, and are now working towards a large-scale facility for this customer, says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS. - In the protein field, we have a test project with a large Norwegian fish breeder and LoIs with breeders in both Norway and the US.
Haugsbø says that energy producers and fish farmers among the company's shareholder base have been key in this capital raise.
- No one has a better ability to understand the potential and possibilities of our technology, he says. – We have successfully secured 18 mill. NOK in this round and have received pre-commitment for additional 20 mill. NOK in Q2 from an existing investor.
Hyperthermics at the 8th Future of Biogas congress
Hyperthermics’ meeting point attracted many biogas producers asking for more information.
The gas market is hot, and climate-neutral biogas should play an increasingly important role. Stig Amdam, sales manager at Hyperthermics, was one of the speakers at the congress in Amsterdam.
- The participants were mainly leading European producers of biogas, says Amdam. They see the enormous need for a redundant energy supply and are consciously working towards expansion into other geographical markets to meet EU targets for renewable gas production by 2030. New distribution channels and off-take routes for biogas are also required for this, says Amdam.
- Where do you come into the picture?
- Our unique technology using hyperthermophilic bacteria helps to increase production at the biogas producers. Our technology continues to prove its efficiency. Recent experiences from a pilot project at Europe's largest manufacturer show this again. Hyperthermics will play an essential role in the utilization of the biomass and waste for biogas producers.
For us, it is all about increasing the potential. More biogas, better biogas, and in a faster manner.
The search for even more customer-friendly bacteria
Hyperthermics' microbiologist Max Strick in action. At best, we can find relevant bacteria in very shallow water.
As many of our acquaintances know, Hyperthermophilic bacteria are the backbone of Hyperthermics' unique biotechnology. But bacteria are living organisms. They come in wide varieties with different characteristics.
One of the methods Hyperthermics uses to improve our technology is to find new and more effective hyperthermophilic bacteria for different topics. These are bacteria that can help produce more bioenergy in less time, bacteria that increase quantity and quality in protein production, and bacteria that can break down new and more demanding substrates.
You may call it more customer-friendly organisms.
With a 10.6 mill NOK financial support from the Research Council of Norway, a team of researchers from the Hyperthermics laboratory in Regensburg and researchers from the University of Marseilles went on an expedition to areas by the Mediterranean.
To find new strains, they used samples of the targeted biomasses that correspond to the biomass one or more of our customers will convert to biogas or proteins. These biomasses were placed in a sampling “trap”.
We will not reveal what the team found, let alone where they found it, but the laboratories in Regensburg and Marseilles have a bit of everything to work with in the future.
Not a quite ordinary swimmer. Professor Gaël Erauso Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie, Aix-Marseille Université.
Erik S. Paulsen is the new CFO of Hyperthermics AS
Erik S. Paulsen is the new CFO of Hyperthermics AS from August 1st.
Erik has a consulting background and comes from the position of Partner and CFO in Cardo Partners, where he has been for the past nine years. Before that, Erik worked at Arkwright. He holds a MSc in Finance and Economics from NHH in Bergen.
As a consultant, he has worked with varied issues from operational improvement to strategy and M&A in several industries.
In Hyperthermics, Erik will take over the role of the company's CFO. He will work closely with the organization, the board, and shareholders to help drive the company's development forward.
- It is vital for us to get a person with Erik's background and experience, says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics. With Erik, we get the commercial edge we need in the growth phase that the company is entering. We look forward to having Erik in place on the team and wish him a warm welcome to the Hyperthermics team
Erik starts at Hyperthermics on August 1st
Major investors believe in the technology of Hyperthermics AS
Tore Hopen, CEO of Farvatn Private Equity, believes in Hyperthermics' unique approach to converting waste into climate-neutral energy and proteins. (Photo: Hans J. Brun)
Farvatn Private Equity and Måsøval Eiendom join the biotechnology company Hyperthermics AS. - This is a good match, says Erlend Haugsbø in Hyperthermics.
Hyperthermics' technology is based on hyperthermophilic bacteria to degrade biomass for biogas and protein production. The bacteria's high working temperature speeds up decomposition and increases the capacity of the production facilities. The main markets are biogas producers and fish farmers.
- Both Farvatn and Måsøval are involved in aquaculture and fish farming, says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS. - The aquaculture industry is investing heavily in becoming greener, and our solutions contribute, among other things, to transforming fish sludge into a valuable resource.
Haugsbø points out that many of the shareholders in the company are involved in biogas production or fish farming: - This means that they have a great interest in the successful commercialization of the technology of Hyperthermics.
Tore Hopen, CEO of Farvatn Private Equity, explains the investment as follows: - Climate, environment, and energy are very relevant topics. We believe in Hyperthermics' unique approach to converting waste into climate-neutral energy and proteins.
Farvatn and Måsøval hold approximately 11% of the shares in Hyperthermics AS. It is a mark of quality for Hyperthermics that shareholders such as Farvatn and Måsøval enter the ownership side of the company. Such shareholders help to strengthen the commercialization of Hyperthermics' technology.
Test facilities will turn sludge from fish farming into food and energy
The contract was signed at the BlueFish trade fair in Ålesund by Knut Eilert Røsvik, Hofseth International AS (right), and Erlend Haugsbø Hyperthermics AS.
Hofseth Aqua AS signed an agreement with Hyperthermics AS for handling sludge.
Norwegian company Hofseth Aqua is expanding its land-based post-smolt plant in Tafjord and is choosing Hyperthermics as a partner for sludge management solutions. - We consider this a breakthrough for our commercial efforts in land-based aquafarming, says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS.
The plant will verify Hyperthermics' unique system for converting sludge from closed farming into commercial quality products. Hyperthermics is now working specifically on several significant projects within land-based farming and closed farming in the sea. Hofseth's giant project World Heritage Salmon in Røbbervika is one of these.
Project director of Hofseth International AS, Knut Eilert Røsvik, hopes to see new value chains for the sludge during the verification phase in Tafjord.
- The Hofseth Group has a high focus on utilizing resources in the best possible way, both when it comes to getting the most food out of the fish we produce and doing this in as energy-efficient and intelligent a way as possible. Hyperthermics' solutions are innovative and future oriented. The company will be an essential partner for us in the work of building a circular sustainable aquaculture industry, says Knut Eilert Røsvik.
Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics, is naturally very happy with this agreement:
-The aquaculture industry makes considerable investments to become greener, he says. - With our biotechnology, we will contribute to solving an environmental problem by making the waste into high-quality products, and the verification in Tafjord will open up great opportunities for us. More and more land-based and closed fish farms are built worldwide, and environmental requirements are tightened in most countries.
The plant will be ready for start-up in the first quarter of 2023.
Hyperthermics is expanding its capacity at the Regensburg laboratory
The lab team in Germany and the design team in Norway are working closer to cooperate with customers’ needs and demands. From left: Senior Bioprocess Engineer Leonardo Torres (D), Microbiologist Max Strick (D), Senior Designer and System Manager Øyvind Kvalsund (N), Senior Designer and Production Manager Per Knut Dimmen (N), Senior Designer & Automation Manager Ole Andrè Rusten (N), Senior Project Manager Arve Magne Fjørtoft (N), CEO at Hyperthermics Regensburg GmbH Stefan Miller..
The laboratory has long held a leading position in research on the utilization of hyperthermophilic bacteria. Hyperthermics now works with commercial customer agreements, and the laboratory becomes essential to the individual customer, with adaptation and optimization of biology.
- The expansion will be significant for our competitiveness, says Dr. Stefan Miller, CEO at Hyperthermics Regensburg GmbH. When a customer registers interest in a new plant, we can pre-test bacteria on the raw material (substrate) that our bacteria will degrade. There are many different biomasses, and we aim to find the most optimal bacteria for the biomass in every case.
The laboratory test allows us to select a bacterial strain and "train" the bacteria to degrade the relevant substrate. In practice, this means that the customer gets a shorter run-in time and reaches full capacity utilization more quickly.
With the extended facility, up to four parallel small scale test stations, a 50l reactor for experiments with larger volumes, and our new colleague, microbiologist Max Strick, - well trained at the Insitute for Microbiology and Archea center of the University of Regensburg on the team, we are well prepared for increasing activity, says Dr. Stefan Miller proudly.
Closer collaboration between design and laboratory
Hyperthermics AS has signed agreements for several test facilities within different segments and expects several contracts for larger installations. This situation required that the laboratory in Regensburg and the project department in Norway work closely together in project teams.
- The starting shot has sounded, says CEO of Hyperthermics AS, Erlend Haugsbø. There are new employees in both places, and they must get to know each other and work together seamlessly across national borders. It is an entirely natural challenge when moving from a development phase to commercial project-organized operations. We recently sent our entire engineering team on a visit to Germany, and everyone is looking forward to closer cooperation and high goals and ambitions.
We are now embarking on an exciting journey that everyone wants to be part of, Haugsbø smiles.
We have a large variety of frozen hyperthermophilic bacteria in stock. With more lab capacity, we can find the best suitable organisms for every new project.
A proud team at the Hyperthermics lab in Regensburg. This lab is a leading player in its field.
American Aquafarms signs agreement with Hyperthermics for world's largest closed pen salmon farming plant at sea
Mikael Rønes, CEO at Atlantic Aquafarms (right) and Stig Amdam, Sales Manager at Hyperthermics, have great expectations to the newly signed agreement.
The agreement applies to designing a sludge treatment plant that will create valuable energy from the sludge coming from the world's largest closed pen salmon farm at sea in Maine, USA.
The closed pen Atlantic salmon farm will be completely emission-free. The sludge from a total of 36,000 tonnes of salmon a year will be separated in treatment plants at the pens and transported by barges to land. On land Hyperthermics` unique technology will transform the sludge, together with sludge from the smolt production plant, into a valuable and sustainable energy
In addition to energy, the Hyperthermics plant will produce a nutrient-rich fertilizer as a by-product.
- We have had good discussions with American Aquafarms over time, says Stig Amdam, Sales Manager at Hyperthermics AS. - I am very impressed by their vision for sustainable salmon farming, along with their interest in our technology. We believe that it will be an essential contribution to greener aquaculture. For us, this agreement is important. The aquaculture industry is taking big steps in the green direction in more and more countries, and the project will be a prominent show-case for us in a new continent.
CEO Mikael Rønes in American Aquafarms is pleased with the agreement. -As we target to produce the most sustainable salmon at sea, utilizing the sludge from pens is crucial. Along with emission-free farming at sea, transforming the sludge into renewable energy contributes to more sustainable activities in our smolt production and the processing plant on land.
American Aquafarms is now working on the approvals needed to be able to realize the project.
Great interest in Hyperthermics' technology at the Regatec conference in Weimar
When the seventh "International Conference on Renewable Gas Technology" took place in September, production, distribution, and use of renewable methane gas for fuel were its central theme.
- We got to present our solutions and met with great interest, says Stig Amdam, sales manager at Hyperthermics AS. There is a craving for new and more efficient technologies that can help solve the world's climate challenges. Our use of hyperthermophilic microorganisms in the pre-treatment / degradation of biomass significantly increases biogas production capacity.
Biogas as a fuel is an essential part of the green shift because it solves several challenges: Biogas turns waste into a resource. By utilizing the methane gas that is released when the biomass rots, you get climate-neutral transport while reducing the use of fossil energy sources.
In addition to Hyperthermics AS, leading players in biogas production from all over the Nordic region and many other European countries participated.
Ronja Capital II AS, Stette Invest AS and Kjølås Stansekniver AS take a stake in Hyperthermics AS
Investment director Ronja Capital AS, Tore A. Tønseth sees a great potential for Hyperthermics in a fast-growing green market. (Photo: Ronja Capital)
Tore A. Tønseth and Roger Halsebakk at Ronja Capital II AS together with Peder Stette and Frode Kjølås at Stette Invest AS and Kjølås Stansekniver AS have great faith in the company’s development. They now collectively hold a 23.3% stake in Hyperthermics AS.
Norwegian company Hyperthermics AS in Ulsteinvik delivers systems that work as boosters in biogas production, as well as systems that produce saleable proteins from different types of biomass. The technology is based on archaea that work at a temperature of 80°C.
“This is a very happy day,” says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS. In addition to Ronja Capital II AS taking a stake in the company, we are also joined by Frode Kjølås and Peder Stette. These three investors will collectively provide a significant boost to our investment in the aquaculture segment in the form of capital and networks. Tore A. Tønseth now has a seat on Hyperthermics’ board as a representative of the three new owners.
Roger Halsebakk was responsible for developing Sølvtrans AS to the world's largest wellboat company for transport of live salmon and trout. His Investment director in Ronja Capital AS, Tore A. Tønseth had the following to say about the purchase of Hyperthermics shares.
“Hyperthermics offers a unique and ground-breaking technology and has made a huge effort to commercialise this technology. Ronja Capital II AS sees great potential for Hyperthermics in a fast-growing green market. We know that their biogas method is fit for purpose. They are about to run a full-scale test production of proteins.
Now that international aquaculture industries – with which we are very familiar – are gearing themselves towards land-based and closed solutions, the sector will more easily utilise these values. Other sectors that have biomass as waste are now, or will soon be, in the same situation. Hyperthermics is very well positioned to take part in this development,” concludes Tønseth.
Hyperthermics delivers test plant to Danish biogas giant
Hyperthermics' test plant will be installed at Nature Energy's biogas plant at Videbæk. (Photo: Nature Energy)
Norwegian company Hyperthermics AS in Ulsteinvik is to deliver a test plant to one of the world’s largest biogas producers – the Danish company Nature Energy. If the six-month test period is successful, there is talk of supplying several sizeable plants.
Hyperthermics’ technology uses heat-loving bacteria from the Earth’s interior in the process. This will provide a significantly faster breakdown of biomass and therefore greater capacity than a similar plant using conventional bacteria. Hyperthermics’ laboratory in Regensburg in Germany has been working on the bacterial compositions of many different types of biomass since the company started in 2006.
Nature Energy is a perfect partner for Hyperthermics to test the technology. Not only due to the biogas company’s size, but also because of its pioneering approach to new technology and continuous focus on R&D. Nature Energy has its own laboratory and research personnel, which makes the company a perfect sparring partner for Hyperthermics.
If everything goes according to plan, the Hyperthermics technology could be installed at several of Nature Energy’s large plants. The first plant needs to be capable of processing 200,000 tonnes of straw, livestock manure and other agricultural waste per year.
Generally, there is a great demand for biogas in several parts of society. This particularly applies to the energy-intensive industry and the heavy part of the transport sector, where biogas can make a major difference in the green transition.
The goal with the collaboration is to provide Nature Energy with increased efficiency and flexibility in the utilisation of different types of biomass and waste. Hyperthermics hopes and believes that this will be the start of a long-term collaboration.
Major opportunities in Europe
Several European countries are far ahead of Norway with regard to utilising biogas as a CO2-neutral energy source from biomass and waste. Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS, has great expectations:
“For several years we have had a full-scale development and reference plant in Drammen. However, the delivery to Denmark is expected to represent one of several commercial breakthroughs for the company. Nature Energy is one of the largest biogas companies in the world and the choices it makes will be noticed way beyond the borders of Denmark.
For Hyperthermics, the agreement is confirmation that our competence in product development in Ulsteinvik in Norway and Regensburg in Germany is unique. I would like to thank our owners and the business community in Sunnmøre who have contributed with both capital and belief in the technology,” says Haugsbø.
Specialises in two areas
The technology and the methodology can be applied to a number of contexts, but Hyperthermics has chosen to invest in two areas: Increased biogas production at biogas plants and protein production of aquaculture sludge and offal.
Unique bacterial strain
The bacteria that is used lives in extreme conditions deep down in the ecosystems of the globe. Here they thrive in environments characterised by high pressure, high levels of heat, or high salt levels, for example.
Hyperthermics technology is planned for one of the world’s biggest onshore aquaculture facilities
CEO Roger Hofseth of the Hofseth Group wants to use Hyperthermics’ unique biotechnology to achieve an environmentally friendly and profitable treatment of the sludge from the "World Heritage Salmon". (Photo: Tony Hall)
World Heritage Salmon is designed to be the world’s greenest aquaculture facility. A Hyperthermics plant will convert 120,000 tonnes of sludge into energy and saleable proteins at the aquaculture facility itself every year.
“This is a very important letter of intent for us,” says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS. “Onshore aquaculture facilities and facilities with closed net pens are an important focus area for the company. The aquaculture industry is making a huge effort to be greener, while also creating competitive advantages in relation to production costs, so we can see great potential here. We are particularly pleased that we are being invited by a local company, the Hofseth Group. The project will contribute to considerable value creation for the region and give both Hyperthermics and our local suppliers a unique opportunity for further innovation and growth,” says Haugsbø.
Onshore aquaculture in closed net pens ensures good control over the aquaculture sludge, and there are large volumes that must be managed. Converting the sludge into saleable proteins and energy on site is highly beneficial for operations and generates higher sales revenue. The alternative is expensive, energy-intensive management locally, in addition to the need to transport large volumes of sludge for treatment elsewhere.
This value is generated by Hyperthermics’ unique biotechnology. Archaea are used for mass production of single-celled organisms to enrich the sludge with more proteins. Green bio-hydrogen and green biogas are generated from the same sludge and give energy back to the aquaculture facility. The result is a solution that contributes to lower production costs to World Heritage Salmon, and greener utilisation of potent, fresh fish sludge and residual raw materials.
World Heritage Salmon will be built in a former olivine mine in Raudbergvika (Røbbervika) in Sunnmøre, close to the entrance of the Geirangerfjord World Heritage Site. The planning, construction and operation of the facility are therefore subject to special environmental and emissions requirements.
“We will build the cleanest aquaculture facility the world has ever seen,” says Group CEO Roger Hofseth of the Hofseth Group. “It is exciting to have a local company like Hyperthermics on our team. We believe in the company and their technology. Hyperthermics can be a major supplier to the aquaculture industry.”
Unique Norwegian green technology helps solve significant environmental problem in Mexico
Sargassum seaweed is a huge environmental problem in the Caribbean area. The plan is to convert the weed into carbon-neutral biogas and proteins by technology developed by the Norwegian company Hyperthermics AS.
The biotechnology company Hyperthermics has signed a letter of intent on the testing and development of two biogas plants or protein plants. The letter of intent is seen as an important door opener for the Norwegian company.
The environmental problem is called Sargassum, a type of seaweed that is being washed ashore in Mexico and Central America in huge quantities. The seaweed rots and accumulates in ever-increasing piles because it never stops coming. Now it will be converted into biogas, protein and fertiliser using Norwegian technology.
“Our technology is based on extremophile bacteria that thrive at high temperatures,” says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics. “Using our solution to start the process that converts the organic waste into biogas or protein, you shorten the conversion time and get more biogas. In brief, you increase capacity and profitability.”
Its contractual partner is London-based Ultramar Energy Ltd, with which Hyperthermics already collaborates. Ultramar has significant knowledge of Mexico and Mexican conditions.
Ultramar’s founder and owner, Salvador Rivero, comes from Mexico:
“Sargassum is a terrible pollution problem over there,” he says. “The smell of rotting seaweed is intolerable. The beaches are unusable, and large quantities of methane are emitted straight into the atmosphere. By making biogas, protein and fertiliser, we get climate-neutral energy, a circular economy and better food production.”
One of the challenges is to customise the new plants for a raw material, seaweed, with high water and salt contents. It can be done but it requires more energy for heating. The advantage is that some of the biogas produced can be used for heating. Approximately 5% of this energy is used to operate the plant itself.
Hyperthermics will start planning the plants and testing the seaweed immediately. The aim is to convert the letter of intent into a contract in 2021.
Haugsbø and Rivero see great potential. Mexico’s cities have serious pollution problems from the use of fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel and gas. The same is true of several Central American countries.
“Less waste, increased food production and reduced CO2 emissions are a combination that it should be difficult to turn down,” conclude Haugsbø and Rivero.
Hyperthermics AS is ready for financial partnership with London-based Ultramar Energy Ltd.
Hyperthermics AS has developed a technology that enhances the efficiency of conversion of organic waste into biogas and protein mass. The London-based company Ultramar Energy Ltd. believes in the technology and will co-finance three plants from Hyperthermics.
The two companies have signed a letter of intent to the effect that Ultramar Energy Ltd will contribute a share of NOK 30 million to finance three full-scale biogas and protein plants. This will contribute to the further commercialisation of Hyperthermics’ unique biotechnology solutions. The company already has a pilot plant at the Lindum site in Drammen. This has been in operation since 2017.
“This is a very important agreement for us,” says Erlend Haugsbø, CEO of Hyperthermics AS. “We have a unique biotechnology that enhances the efficiency of the conversion of organic waste into biogas and protein mass. We are seeing a lot of interest in the market, but the first clients want to reduce their risk, and we have now achieved this with Ultramar Energy. The solution is shared ownership until the plants have demonstrated their efficiency and operational reliability.”
The production and use of biogas are growing dramatically worldwide. This is no surprise, as it helps solve several challenges at once: safe management of waste, reduced need for imported energy, and climate-neutral transport, power generation and other gas use. These are areas in which Ultramar Energy is involved.
“The financing and production of green energy are an important area for us,” explains the founder of Ultramar Energy, Salvador Rivero. “With commitments in Europe, Asia, Mexico and Central America, we see great potential in Hyperthermics’ technology. By contributing to financing three plants, we also gain important experience at a reduced risk. If things go as we believe they will, we will be a major client of Hyperthermics in the future.”
Hyperthermics is working intensively on the pilot projects for the three plants. When the formal contracts for these pilot projects are in place, the agreement with Ultramar Energy also takes effect.
Proteins and biogas from organic waste
From the New Wave/20 conference at Giske: Hyperthermics aim for a large footprint in biogas and aquaculture business worldwide. Read and hear about the background of our unique biotechnology, and its market potential. (In Norwegian only)
Turning fish waste into profit
COO/Sales Erlend Haugsbø and Sales & Project Manager Stig Amdam.
By using Hyperthermics new technology, the aquaculture industry can make profit of fish sludge and uneaten fish food – while getting rid of their waste in a sustainable way.
A revolutionary new method by Hyperthermics, effectively transforms fish waste into a powder containing a high level of protein. The powder can be sold as a feed ingredient. The process also creates environmentally friendly biogas which will be used to operate the production.
Our lab-engineers in Germany are constantly exploring the possibilities of producing biogas from various types of waste. Fish sludge consists of fish feces and feed leftovers, and is considered a waste that represent a cost to the ones who have to dispose of this.
Sustainable and world leading
– Our method cuts waste costs in the land-based aquaculture industry. At the same time it opens up a whole new source of income for the entire aquaculture industry, says COO Erlend Haugsbø, who explains their latest accomplishment. He believes it’s only a question of time before the sea-based aquaculture facilities are obligated to harvest and handle the fish sludge from their fish cages in closed containment systems. The Hyperthermics technology is a good incentive for the industry to embrace and introduce green and sustainable solutions such as this.
In fact, Hyperthermics is probably the first provider worldwide to make protein mass and biogas of fish sludge, both in under 24 hours.
– We are also looking into the possibility of using the same method on similar waste types, says Haugsbø.
This «protein factory» transforms fish sludge from fish farms into a high quality protein powder and sustainable biogas, using living hypertermophilic organisms – in under 24 hours. The biogas can be used to power the factory.
Sustainable recycling
The company has a unique technology, in which living organisms are used to create renewable energy, mainly in the form of environmentally friendly biogas.
– Our bacteria have already been doing environmental work on our planet for billions of years. Now that we have trained them to perform their green magic in our reactors – they do the world’s fastest decomposition of biomass. And it’s even greener than before, as they reduce climate gas emissions by producing biohydrogen or biomethane inside the reactors, says Haugsbø.
No resting in testing
From the lab in Germany
By using living organisms much older than the human species itself, we have developed a pioneering fermentation technology, transforming biomass into renewable energy. Our laboratory in Regensburg plays the leading role in this groundbreaking work.
Our lab engineers are constantly searching for the “perfect formula” – the best conditions and the best bacteria to produce renewable energy as efficiently as possible.
Their work gives our potential clients the opportunity to test different biomasses on distinct types of hyperthermofilic bacterias. By doing this, we uncover the full potential and what they gain by using our technology – before making any heavy investments.
Our lab in Regensburg
Our lab originated within and later sprang out of the Institute of Microbiology of the University of Regensburg. This Institute is well known in science for the work and the discoveries of Prof. Karl-Otto Stetter (more than 330 publications) and his group on hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea.
At our lab we have been screening different microorganisms for their ability to grow on various substrates, such as food waste, straw, whey, manure, fish waste etc.
Living organisms
Hyperthermics need its lab and the lab engineers needs the microorganisms to transform waste into green energy. Our “secret” ingredient is the ancient organisms, extracted from places deep within the earth or hydrothermal vents on the seafloor or volcanic environment. Since they are living organisms, they must be treated accordingly. This isn’t machines.
Finding the perfect combination
Because these organisms operate differently and react differently regarding to temperature, temperature fluctuations and type of biomass – we have to figure out what they prefer to eat and who they want to dine with. That’s why we are constantly testing. That’s why our lab plays a leading role in our groundbreaking work.