What we learned about measuring the footprint of algae products

On 7 October 2026, MULTIPLY, ALLIANCE and CleanAlgae2Value held a joint online workshop on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the method used to measure a product’s environmental impacts across its life. The aim was not to agree on one approach, but to understand where and why approaches differ.

Key takeaways

• Data is scarce. LCA databases hold little information on algae, so teams rely on lab and pilot data.
• Compare by function, not weight. For example, 1 kg of protein against 1 kg of protein.
• Methods shape results. Where the study stops and how carbon absorbed by algae is counted can change the outcome, so choices must be transparent.
• Many products, one process. There is no agreed rule for sharing impacts between proteins, oils and pigments made together.
• The carbon dioxide source matters. Using captured carbon dioxide clearly improved results in an early CleanAlgae2Value study.

Work on shared guidance continues, including through the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) LCA Task Force.