Harnessing Algae to Turn Today’s Emissions into Tomorrow’s EcoSystems

COLOGNE, Germany – It turns water murky, looks scummy, and can be toxic to animals and people, but did you know that Algae is also incredibly effective at purifying the air we breathe?

Tapping into that potential, students at Cardiff University have developed algae-based technology that is 250 times more effective than trees or plants at converting harmful carbon dioxide (CO₂) into life-enhancing Oxygen (O₂).

Their award-winning invention, called Spiruflow, is an algae photobioreactor that works by harnessing the purifying power of algae with direct air capture technology that traditionally uses using chemical or physical processes to extract CO₂ from the atmosphere.

And, Spiruflow has just claimed first prize at this year’s Ford College Community Challenge (Ford C3) in the UK, held in conjunction with Enactus, which tasks students with designing and developing tangible community projects that address critical local needs.

“With climate change an immediate crisis, Spiruflow offers a tangible solution to the urgent need for cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions,” the team explains. “Our algae photobioreactor provides measurable benefits by purifying the air in urban centres, workspaces, and public areas. Collaborations with local organisations, including Cardiff Council, help us install our systems where pollution and climate impacts are most severe. By converting CO₂ into oxygen, our project delivers both immediate health benefits and long-term ecological improvements, directly addressing an unmet community need.”

Judith Kleinemeyer, senior manager, Ford Philanthropy Europe, explains: “Spriruflow was one of nine projects submitted by students from UK universities in this year’s Ford C3 challenge. Through Ford C3, the Ford Motor Company Fund supports colleges and universities to work with students in designing and developing tangible community projects that address critical local needs, which help the community become a more sustainable place to work and live.”

As the winner of this year’s Ford C3 challenger and the Enactus UK & Ireland World Cup Qualifier, Spiruflow receives a £5,000 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund and also gets to participate in the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok later this year.

For details of the other projects taken part in this year’s Ford C3 challenge, see below:

Enactus Aston - Chance for Change
Helping Refugees, Asylum seekers, and migrants overcome language barriers, unemployment, food insecurity for better integration through innovation.

Enactus Dundee – ReKindle
Forming connections with the socially isolated elderly, driving social mobility through changing the social structure/lonely mindset in care homes.

Enactus Nottingham - Suit Up
A transition to work programme and campaign for young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Enactus Birmingham - Food+
Project focuses on tackling food insecurity and reducing edible food waste ending up in landfills.

Enactus Southampton - Seeds for Thought
Using hydroponic systems to promote healthy eating, to tackle childhood-obesity and create a healthier world for future generations.

Enactus Durham - Taka Taka Zero
Taka Taka Zero aims to solve three key social and environmental issues: food insecurity, youth unemployment and unmanaged waste.

Enactus Derby - The Money Project
Provide affordable and accessible financial education that empowers young people to make informed decisions and build a secure financial future.

Enactus Southampton – EcoRecraft
EcoRecraft strives to blend environmental sustainability with social innovation, providing employment and empowering communities.