How a project is built
Five stages from requirements to a scale decision
Each stage ends with a documented result and a decision: proceed, change the requirements or stop. Moving to the next stage is agreed with the customer.
- 1
Customer task and requirements
What we do
We discuss the intended application, the component or property needed, the form you will purchase and the acceptance criteria. If an extracted component is needed, we find out who will process the biomass.
- What we need from the customer
- Description of the task and the current solution
- Target parameters, if known
- Constraints on composition, origin and documents
- Indicative volume
- Stage result
- Recorded requirements — the basis of the technical specification.
- When we stop
- If the task cannot be solved with microalgae biomass, or only a finished purified product without processing is needed, we say so straight away.
- 2
Culture and target parameters
What we do
We select a material for which the presence of the required component is justified. We check identification, origin and the basis for use in this task. We agree the list of parameters and analytical methods.
- What we need from the customer
- Requirements for composition, safety and documents
- The analytical method you use to accept raw material, if any
- Stage result
- The selected material and an agreed list of parameters with analytical methods.
- When we stop
- If there is no material with a confirmed basis for use, or the required parameter cannot be measured reliably.
- 3
Laboratory test of the regime
What we do
We work out conditions for cultivation and biomass production in the laboratory and measure the target parameters. We compare independent runs performed under the same process version.
- What we need from the customer
- Agreed parameters and analytical methods
- Feedback on interim results
- Stage result
- A regime version under which the target parameters are reproduced. Regime parameters are know-how and are not part of the basic format.
- When we stop
- If the target parameters are not reached or are not reproduced from run to run.
- 4
Experimental batch and analytics
What we do
We prepare a batch of the agreed form and mass and carry out analyses by the agreed methods.
- What we need from the customer
- Technical specification and test program
- Acceptance conditions and criteria
- Stage result
- Samples, a batch passport — material identification, number, date, mass, moisture or dry residue, measured parameters, storage conditions — and analysis protocols.
- When we stop
- A batch is not provided without confirmed process readiness and legal grounds for working with the specific culture.
- 5
Decision on a pilot and scale-up
What we do
Together with the customer, we assess the results of the material trial, deviations and limitations.
- What we need from the customer
- Results of the material trial in your process or formulation
- Stage result
- A report with a conclusion on suitability, risks and the next step: a repeat, a change of requirements or a larger-scale pilot.
Before a pilot
What we check before a pilot starts
Interest in a material alone does not launch a pilot. If any condition is not met or is unknown, the request stays at the assessment stage.
- The material exists and there are grounds for the required actions with it
- The application is admissible and safe for this material
- The result is technically achievable
- The result can be measured by an agreed method
- The extent of information to be disclosed is acceptable to both parties
What we need from your side
- A responsible person
- A specification or composition requirements
- Trial timing and conditions
- An acceptance criterion
- A budget or an agreed payment procedure
The deliverables are defined in the contract. Transfer of technology, live cultures or internal production data is not part of the basic format.
Let's start with the first stage
Describe your task in the survey — that is the set of requirements for the first stage.