Algal Turf Scrubber® to Benchmark Algae Biofuels Research

$3 million Chesapeake Algae Project (ChAP) researching commercial viability of algae biofuels

Ocala, Florida, November 17, 2009 – The Algal Turf Scrubber ® from HydroMentia is being used in algae biofuels research being conducted by the Chesapeake Algae Project (ChAP). Norwegian global energy giant StatoilHydro is investing $3 million to launch the project. Other partners in ChAP include the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Blackrock Energy, the University of Maryland, the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arkansas.

ChAP is researching the commercial viability of algae biofuels by looking at the entire process, from growing and harvesting algae in both on-shore and off-shore systems, to extracting and processing the oil from algae, and producing the final biofuel.

“HydroMentia is pleased that the ChAP participants recognize the value our technology brings to this project,” William G. Sawyer, HydroMentia CEO said. “HydroMentia has invested over twelve years commercializing the Algal Turf Scrubber® as a water treatment technology. Adding biofuel production to the mix makes sense because the cost of the biomass can be attributed to water treatment. If biofuels are to be cost competitive with gasoline you have to find other uses for the algae. Our technology does that.”

The HydroMentia’s proprietary Algal Turf Scrubber® is a water treatment technology that uses periphytic algae to extract excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater and impaired waterways. HydroMentia is located in Ocala, Florida. For more information visit

www.hydromentia.com.