Phycal plans to open algae lab at Danforth Plant Science Center
Phycal is set to open up a research lab in St. Louis at the BioResearch and Development Growth Park. This park is located on the same property where algae research is already taking place at the Danforth Plant Science Center, which just happens to be the largest independent plant research institute in the world.
Phycal LLC has leased 2,800 square feet for an algae biotechnology laboratory at the BioResearch and Development Growth Park (BRDG) at the Danforth Plant Science Center.
Phycal, led by President and CEO Kevin Berner, researches the development of a production system for growing algae and extracting energy product, primarily algal oil. This oil can be converted into biodiesel, green replacements for diesel and jet fuel.
“Although algal biofuels are still in the early stages of development, they hold great potential as an economic, secure and sustainable alternative to petroleum based liquid fuels,” Berner said in a statement Wednesday.
Phycal, which is based in Cleveland and is building a pilot farm in Hawaii, said it chose BRDG Park because of its proximity to the Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute. Phycal’s BRDG Park location is just a few steps away from Dr. Richard Sayre, director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Danforth Plant Science Center. The Taylor family gave $25 million to establish the institute in 2007.
