Algal biotechnology in Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s bioeconomy and food security strategy. With limited agricultural resources and heavy reliance on imported fishmeal and soybeans, Saudi Arabia has identified over one million hectares suitable for algae cultivation — a resource with vast untapped potential.
To capitalize on this opportunity, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) launched the Development of Algal Biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (DABKSA) project. In partnership with KAUST Beacon Development (KBD), the initiative focuses on algae cultivation, feed security, carbon capture, and bio-based product development — directly supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for protein-rich feed has historically been met through imports. Limited domestic resources made self-sufficiency difficult, while climate conditions prevented traditional large-scale crop production.
Algae offered a solution: high productivity per hectare, resilience in desert environments, and versatility across industries including food, feed, agriculture, nutraceuticals, and bio-based materials.
Building on this success, the project advanced to an industrial demonstration scale:
Local strain adaptation: screened and adapted desert-tolerant strains for high salinity (42 ppt), heat, and year-round operation.
Cost & performance: improved growth and feed conversion outcomes while lowering waste and inputs.
Desert cultivation systems: validated open and closed systems for robust production under harsh climates.
Scale readiness: designed processes, SOPs, and training for expansion with larger partners.
More than 20 native and commercial microalgae strains, including Chlorella sp., Tetraselmis sp., and Limnospira maxima, proved robust. Results showed >40% protein content in dry biomass, validating algae’s role in feed, pigments, and biostimulants.
The project began with Phase I, a pilot facility at KAUST that focused on testing:
A 4-hectare facility was constructed, including 1.2 hectares of open system raceways.
Advanced downstream processes were introduced to support applications in feed, agriculture, and nutraceuticals.
Locally adapted to Red Sea salinity (42 ppt), cultivated from lab to outdoor scale.
Dry biomass (>40% protein), ideal for feed, pigments, and biostimulants.
Across open raceways, supporting year-round cultivation in desert conditions.
Captured from ambient and injected sources during cultivation.
What started as a pilot is now a national, open testbed that links researchers, industry, and investors. It accelerates product development, trains local talent, and proves bankable models across feed, agriculture, carbon, and seaweed value chains.
Producing sustainable protein-rich biomass to reduce imports.
Carbon CaptureMicroalgae cultivation shown to capture up to 1.8 kg of CO₂ per kg of dry biomass.
Seaweed UtilizationPilot projects in bioplastics and eco-friendly textiles from coastal brown seaweed, supporting the circular bioeconomy.
With a multidisciplinary team of over 150 professionals KBD combines local talent with global experts under one roof. Our mission is to drive transformative change and help achieve the nation’s Vision 2030 by providing strategic, science-backed solutions.
