Sapphire Energy Inc.
San Diego-based Sapphire Energy is pioneering an approach that takes two very old processes and synthesizes them into one very new opportunity. Farming and algae have been around for most of human existence, but the two have not been paired in any significant way to bring leverage the positive effects on one another. Sapphire’s products and processes in this category differ significantly from others because they are made solely from photosynthetic microorganisms (algae and cyanobacteria), using sunlight and CO2 as their feedstock; are not dependent on food crops or valuable farmland; do not use potable water; do not result in biodiesel or ethanol; are compatible with existing infrastructure; and are low carbon, renewable and scalable. Sapphire has an R&D facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and has been operating a 300-acre facility continuously since May 1, 2012.