The problem has been to grow and process algae at a scale that would be commercially competitive. The farm initially would use carbon dioxide from a local thermal power plant to feed the algae and produce 140,000 tons of microalgae a year. Honda said it is still at the research stage for possible uses for algae and is also conducting its own investigation into cultivation. Other group members are investigating using the algae in applications as varied as printing, food, cosmetics and medical industries. Fujita predicts that Chitose will be able to produce algae for about 300 yen per kilogram once its expanded site is up and running.
