Volaris is a patented and targeted innovation that is the result of five years of development, which aims to deliver commercially validated technology for high purity microalgae at what the company claims will be competitive rates for ingredients manufacturers.
The innovation should tap into the still growing market for natural-based and sustainable algae-based products worldwide.
Algae is natural and increasingly popular in cosmetics
Algae is used in cosmetics for a wide variety of applications, from hair care to skin care and in most sub categories. Although there are many different strains of algae, generally formulators tend to go for the Chlorella strain of algae.
Algae-based ingredients are processed into forms such as algal flakes, oils, powders and flours.
"Good science takes time," said Dan Simon, Heliae's president and CEO.
"We've developed a technology platform that finally delivers on what the industry has been promising for more than a decade. With Volaris technology, we're now able to offer algae solutions for a range of markets, which have not been possible with existing technology. This technology will unlock the industry."
Simon believes that the algae production process has until now been hindered by a lack of advanced technology offerings to produce it quickly and efficiently.
An efficent, sustainable production process
The Volaris technology platform offers a production platform that utilizes both sunlight and waste carbon feedstocks that all serve to optimize the efficiency of the model.
“We've developed a hybrid mixotrophic pathway which drives down capital costs, reduces contamination, and increases productivity to dramatically improve the economics of algae production," said Simon.
One of the key benefits is the fact that the model serves to reduce much of the land that is normally devoted to this kind of production, making the whole process more economical and sustainable.
The company says that the technology platform will be incorporated into its new 20-acre commercial facility, which is currently under construction in Gilbert, Arizona, and will be coming on line in late Q3, 2013.