Small- and medium-sized industrial emitters contribute almost a quarter of UK’s industrial CO2 emissions yet lack affordable and scalable carbon-capture technologies. Algae-based carbon capture and utilisation (ACCU) offers a promising solution to address this gap and create new value streams across multiple sectors. Bringing together industry leaders, investors, policymakers and academics, the session will explore the commercial potential of ACCU, sector-specific needs, viable business and finance models, and the regulatory and institutional conditions required for successful deployment. Delegates will co-develop insights that support viable commercial pathways and inform the wider adoption of ACCU technologies. These insights will directly contribute to a series of open-access case studies for ACCU implementation within different industries, to raise the profile of this important technology.

Why Attend?

Delegates will play an active role in co-designing sector-specific implementation models and shaping the commercial and regulatory conditions needed for the success of ACCU technologies. There is an opportunity to gain early insight into a scalable, commercially attractive carbon capture solutions specifically suited to industries unable to access conventional CCS options and to influence how it will be deployed.

Key Benefits

• Strategic advantage: Understand how algae-based CCU can reduce emissions while producing valuable co-products, unlocking new revenue streams and improving material efficiency.

• Contribute to implementation case studies: Co-develop whole-system understanding of ACCU to influence policies and facilitate informed investment into the sector.

• Practical & actionable insights: Delegates will leave with a clear understanding of cost structures and financing opportunities; policy implications and regulatory considerations; operational feasibility and integration options; market potential for algae-derived products.

• Networking & collaboration opportunities: Connect with key stakeholders to driving innovation in low-carbon technologies and circular economy transitions.

Agenda

This workshop is designed to showcase our innovative ACCU technology and gather expert perspectives on its commercial and operational potential. These insights will directly shape the next stages of our EPSRC-funded project. The session combines concise briefings with interactive, expert-led discussions to explore market opportunities, sector-specific challenges, business and financing models, and policy considerations.

This structured, participatory format ensures that the insights shared by delegates become an integral part of developing implementation case studies, commercial pathways, and future activities.

Detailed Agenda and Structures

1. Welcome & Scene-Setting (10 mins)

• Introduction to ACCU technology and its commercial potential.

• The decarbonisation challenge for SMEs and opportunities offered by algae-based solutions.

2. Themed Discussion Sessions (30 mins)

Each session spotlights a different dimension of ACCU adoption, allowing experts to contribute insights that will refine technical development, business models and policy alignment.

1) The Business Case for ACCU

• Market opportunities for algae-derived products.

• Economic co-benefits (e.g., wastewater treatment, resource recovery).

• Cost structures, investment readiness and commercial viability (e.g., access to renewable electricity).

2) Sector Deep Dives

• Perspectives from sectors including industrial emitters, bioenergy, wastewater sector.

• Operational needs, integration challenges and adoption drivers.

• Identification of opportunities that can shape pilot design.

3) Finance & Policy

• Funding barriers and sustainable finance mechanisms.

• Business models and investor risk appetite.

• Regulatory gaps, incentives and alignment with Net Zero strategies.

3. Synthesis & Shared Insights (15 mins):

• Collation of inputs from all discussion groups.

• Identification of cross-cutting opportunities and critical enablers.

• Prioritisation of insights to guide the development of case studies and future pilots.

4. Next Steps & Engagement Opportunities (5 mins)

• How stakeholders can contribute data, participate in pilots, or collaborate on research.

• Opportunities for continued involvement as the project progresses.

Key Highlights

• First-hand insight into a novel algae-based CCU technology designed for dispersed, harder-to-abate industries.

• Expert-led, interactive discussions combining market, technical, business and policy perspectives.

• Direct influence on the development of real-world implementation models, business cases and pilot pathways.

• Cross-sector learning, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.