Cellana, a Hawaii-based company engaged in the development of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts, has obtained a three year grant of $5.5 million through a competitive selection process to formulate a protein supplement as a spin-off product from algae during the biofuel production process and to establish its dietary and economical value in cattle feeds.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which comes under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Biomass Research and Development Initiative Biomass Program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), have provided the needed funding for the program. The program aimed to augment the availability of clean renewable fuels and bio-based products will assist to broaden the range of energy resources of the nation.
Cellana, an auxiliary of Cellana, previously known as HR BioPetroleum will get a grant of $5,521,173 for the project known as "Developing a New Generation of Animal Feed Protein Supplements." During the three year period, Cornell University will utilize the algae biomass supplied by Cellana to perform large-level animal feeding trials to recognize inexpensive and efficient strains of algae.