Recent Advances in Algal Nexus for Circular Economy

Microalgae are widespread microorganisms, considered conservative alternatives for the synthesis of various products with high and low added value. This unique feedstock can create nature-based products capable of replacing conventional materials with high carbon emissions. The microalgae-based biorefinery, following the cascade principle, is an approach that assumes great relevance in the circular economy, making microalgae-based processes less dystopian. This is because, in a microalgae biorefinery, the natural capital is renewable, recovered, and reused as much as possible, creating secondary products that can flow back into the biosphere and close the carbon cycle after use. Thus, in this chapter, we present a closer look at the concept of biorefinery applied to microalgae as a path to the sustainability and resilience of these systems. We also turn our attention to the environmental and economic life cycle analysis applied to the microalgae biorefinery. Ultimately, the mishaps and the long road ahead of the microalgae biorefinery are critically discussed.