SUMIT: SUstainable Microalgae protein production through InTegrated carbon-nutrient recovery

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Alberte Damgaard Jensen

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SUMIT: SUstainable Microalgae protein production through InTegrated carbon-nutrient recovery

Project period: April 2026 to June 2028

Global protein demand is rising rapidly, yet conventional production relies heavily on imported sources and requires significantly more land and water than alternative protein systems. Microalgae offer an exceptionally efficient solution, capable of producing up to 30 tonnes of protein per hectare per year — 30 times more than soy — without requiring arable land. By coupling microalgae cultivation with CO₂ capture and nutrient recovery from biogas plants, SUMIT will demonstrate a fully integrated, circular protein production model under real Danish conditions.

Within this project, DTI will lead the overall project coordination and drive two critical research areas: the development of climate-adapted, high-productivity microalgae strains using non-GMO methods, and the comprehensive assessment of the platform's environmental, economic, and regulatory viability through life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement. DTI will also manage the transition from laboratory to pilot-scale operations and evaluate the protein quality of the produced biomass for feed applications. AlgaeNite ApS will deploy its scalable AlgaeNite photobioreactor system with AI-based process control for the pilot-scale demonstration. Nordphos ApS will optimize its proprietary digestate processing technology to produce clean, bioavailable nutrient solutions for microalgae growth. Solrød Bioenergy will provide the operational biogas facility for on-site system integration and CO₂ delivery validation.

SUMIT addresses critical needs in sustainable protein production and carbon management, directly supporting Denmark's climate neutrality targets and the EU Protein Strategy. The project builds on knowledge from the IFD-funded ReMAPP project and creates new circular value chains that transform biogas plants' largest cost burdens into revenue streams, strengthening Denmark's position as a leader in circular bioeconomy and bio-innovation.

SUMIT is a project funded by the TRACE partnership (Innovation Fund Denmark) with 4 partners (3 SMEs and 1 RTO) from Denmark.

Innovationsfondenpartnere til SUMIT