Algae-Based Calcium Carbonate Production

A company aimed to scale its algae-based calcium carbonate production but faced high production costs and low output volumes. Initially targeting the concrete industry, the venture struggled to meet the price and volume requirements of that market, limiting its growth potential.

ACTIVAE provided mentorship to help the company pivot to the paper industry, a market with high demand for ultra-white, sustainable precipitated calcium carbonate and less sensitivity to cost. ACTIVAE guided the venture in adapting its product to meet the specific needs of the paper industry, focusing on product quality and sustainable sourcing, which aligned well with industry requirements for eco-friendly materials.

The pivot enabled the company to secure a profitable foothold in the paper industry, where its algae-based calcium carbonate met both environmental and market demands. This new focus allowed the company to scale sustainably, reduce production costs, and improve the business model. With ACTIVAE’s mentorship, the venture transformed a scalability challenge into a strategic advantage, achieving faster market entry and positioning itself as an innovator in sustainable materials.