How a Saudi startup is pioneering the cultivation of algae in the desert

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For Saudi chemist and Green Desert Tech founder Abdulmajeed Hashem, algae is nothing short of revolutionary. (Green Desert photo)
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Chlorella, in powder and or tablet form, are among the products of Green Desert Tech. Chlorella is a type of algae known to have medicinal value. (Green Desert photo)
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Updated 21 September 2024
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How a Saudi startup is pioneering the cultivation of algae in the desert

  • From reducing carbon emissions to providing alternative food sources, algae represents a cornerstone of sustainability
  • Green Desert Tech uses innovative sensor technology to grow the crop at scale in the water-scarce Kingdom

RIYADH: If you have ever brushed against slimy green algae while swimming in the sea, you might not realize that this humble organism holds the key to some of the most promising innovations in food, energy and sustainability.

For Abdulmajeed Hashem, a Saudi chemist and founder of Green Desert Tech, algae is nothing short of revolutionary.

“Algae is the most water-efficient, land-efficient and protein-productive crop to exist in the world,” he told Arab News.

Hashem’s Jeddah-based startup is pioneering new methods to grow algae in the desert, using innovative outdoor cultivation systems that rely on advanced monitoring technology to overcome the environmental challenges of Saudi Arabia’s arid climate.

His journey began in Boston, where he earned a degree in chemical science before pursuing a master’s in organic chemistry at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

Hashem’s initial focus was on macromolecule synthesis, but his passion for groundbreaking technologies led him to abandon his PhD to explore something that had “a bit more impact.”




Spirulina, a high-protein and nutrient-dense superfood, has been consumed by humans for centuries. (Greentech photo)

The turning point came from a conversation with his PhD adviser, Basem Moosa, who emphasized the untapped potential of algae as a renewable resource.

The notion fascinated Hashem, and after gaining hands-on experience in greenhouse technology at Red Sea Farms, another KAUST startup, he decided to launch Green Desert Tech.

Hashem’s choice to focus on algae was strategic. “If you look at the protein productivity per meter squared of algae, it’s higher than anything else that exists,” he said.

Algae’s water use is another major advantage. It can be grown using a fraction of the water required by traditional crops — about one-10th to one-15th — and the water it does consume can be fully recycled.




Diagram showing the Green Desert tech's pond.

In a water-scarce region like the Arabian Peninsula, where many essential crops are imported, algae’s water efficiency is a game changer. Moreover, algae thrives in high temperatures and abundant sunlight — two resources that Saudi Arabia has in spades.

The challenge, however, lies in the need for high humidity, something less common in the region. Despite this, Hashem is confident that with the right technology, algae cultivation can flourish.

Green Desert Tech’s primary innovation lies in its sensor technology, which monitors and controls environmental variables in algae pools.

DID YOU KNOW?

• From reducing emissions to providing alternative food sources, algae represents sustainability.

• Algae can grow using a fraction of the water needed for traditional crops.

• Green Desert Tech’s sensor box monitors real-time environmental variables, improving productivity.

Hashem said current methods for cultivating algae are outdated and inefficient.

Open pool systems, while simple and cost-effective, are not optimized for maximum productivity. On the other hand, photobioreactors — closed systems with controlled lighting — are highly efficient but expensive to scale.

“If you think of a future where algae is our main source of biofuel, food and feed, it can’t be done through bioreactors,” Hashem said. “Scaling algae production will have to happen through open pools.”




Open pool systems, left, are simple and cost-effective but not optimized for maximum productivity. Photobioreactors (right) are highly efficient but expensive to scale. (Green Desert & Shutterstock photos)

The company’s first step toward optimization is better monitoring. If you are to optimize a system, “you have to know what’s going on,” Hashem said.

Green Desert Tech has developed a sensor box that provides real-time data on the pool’s conditions, from temperature to algae density, with readings every 10 seconds. 

“All of these sensors already exist,” Hashem said. “This is not something very novel. The way we integrate it into our system is.”

The sensor technology uses optics and transmittance to monitor algae growth. As algae grows, it absorbs more light, blocking signals from reaching a detector. By tracking the changes in these signals, the system can determine growth rates over time.




Green Tech's sensor technology uses optics and transmittance to monitor algae growth. (Green Desert photo)

In the future, Hashem hopes to implement microscopy for even more accurate monitoring. It will not just provide a quantitative sense of the algae growth rate but also qualitative information, he said.

With microscopy, Green Desert Tech could track cell health, detect contaminants, and even observe potential damage to algae cells in real time.

Once the system gathers data, it uses control mechanisms to adjust conditions in the pool, ensuring optimal growth. For example, when pH levels fluctuate, the system automatically dispenses sodium bicarbonate to stabilize the environment.

For Hashem, the significance of algae extends far beyond its agricultural potential. He believes it offers a viable solution to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

One of the most exciting aspects of algae cultivation is its ability to absorb carbon dioxide at rates far higher than traditional plant life. 

A hectare of algae is 10 to 20 times more efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide than a hectare of trees, Hashem said. This makes algae a powerful tool in the global effort to combat climate change.




Algae could offer a nutritious and eco-friendly substitute to fish being used as animal feed. (Green Desert photo)

Algae also has potential as an alternative animal feed. Currently, about 70 percent of fish produced globally are used to make fish feed, which is unsustainable in the long run. Hashem believes algae could offer a nutritious and eco-friendly substitute.

“You have a process that essentially takes nothing from the Earth and even gives back,” he said. Algae not only cleans the air by absorbing carbon dioxide but also produces a high-value biomass that can replace traditional feed or energy sources.

Green Desert Tech is now moving from the prototype stage to a larger production scale. Having successfully tested its technology in a 50-square-meter prototype facility in Tahlia, Jeddah, the company is expanding to a new 10,000-square-meter facility in Huda Al-Sham.

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This new site will serve as a production center and a research and development hub, where the team can continue refining their technology while producing algae for commercial purposes.

Hashem envisions a future where several industries can benefit from algae. The goal is to make it easy and economically feasible for producers to grow algae, he said. 

Green Desert Tech has already started selling sensor boxes to algae pool owners, sharing its cutting-edge technology with the broader industry. Hashem hopes that as more algae pools adopt these sensors, they can collectively build a vast data bank on algae cultivation.




Green Desert Tech founder Abdulmajeed Hashem. (Supplied)

“With AI (artificial intelligence) and generative AI models becoming more prevalent, the data is one of the most valuable commodities we will produce,” he said. As more data flows into the system, AI could help refine algae production methods, driving further efficiencies.

For Hashem, algae represents a cornerstone of sustainability. From reducing carbon emissions to providing alternative food sources, he believes it has the potential to reshape industries and ecosystems worldwide.

Green Desert Tech’s mission is to unlock that potential, making algae cultivation more efficient, scalable and accessible.


 


Saudi defense minister meets Swedish counterpart

Updated 22 November 2024
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Saudi defense minister meets Swedish counterpart

  • Discussions focused on bolstering cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Sweden

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met Johan Stuart, minister of state at the Swedish Prime Minister’s office, in Riyadh on Thursday.

They discussed ways in which relations and cooperation between their countries might be enhanced, along with other issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Other Saudi officials present during the discussions included Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, chief of the general staff of the Kingdom’s armed forces, and Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, director general of the defense minister’s office.

The Swedish minister was accompanied by a delegation that included Bjorn Kalvakov, charge d’affaires of the Swedish Embassy in Riyadh, and Sophie Becker, deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa department at Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Italian food festival highlights nation’s rich taste and culinary flavors

Updated 22 November 2024
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Italian food festival highlights nation’s rich taste and culinary flavors

JEDDAH: The Italian Consulate General in Jeddah hosted on Wednesday night a unique event celebrating the richness and uniqueness of Italian products and flavors on the occasion of the ninth edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. 

The event is being celebrated all over the globe from Nov. 16-22 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture as part of their drive to promote the beauty and quality of Italian gastronomy.

Leonardo Costa, the Italian consul general in Jeddah, said: “We are glad to hold this Italian food street festival in the framework of the 9th Week of Italian Cuisine in the World celebrating Italian food culture. The theme for this year’s events is ‘Mediterranean Diet: Traditional Cuisine and Healthy Food,’ which is not a list of healthy food but a lifestyle.”

He added: “All the communities of the Mediterranean Sea share the same idea of hospitality and friendship. All concepts that fully applied to the great generosity and hospitality to the Saudi people and their way of conceiving food.”

Held at Al-Basateen Compound, the Italian Consulate General in Jeddah set up an elaborate street food scene around the pool area, ranging from big local Italian brands from shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and hotels in Jeddah with the attendance of guests drawn from the diplomatic corps, journalists, Italian expatriates, Saudi guests, the business community, and other selected food enthusiasts.

The festival contained multiple food stalls displayed by the sponsors and participants such as Danub, Lallo restaurant, Assila hotel, Margherita KSA, Montana water by Sharbatly, Ferrero, Loacker, and other brands, where everyone showcased different distinctive Italian delicacies.

Music was also played for the guests by DJ Ahmed Can.

Saudi businessman Mohammed Al-Zahrani — who became fascinated by Italian coffee during his visits to Catanzaro, the capital of the Calabria region in Italy, is the founder of Dell’Oro Store. He told Arab News how he turned his passion into a business.

“I am glad to be part of the ninth Week of Italian Cuisine in the World for the first time, and I am here to promote our coffee,” he added.


Spanish aerobatic pilot Castor Fantoba puts on a spectacular air display in Riyadh

Updated 21 November 2024
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Spanish aerobatic pilot Castor Fantoba puts on a spectacular air display in Riyadh

  • World-class pilot soars high at Sand & Fun event

RIYADH: A Spanish world-class powered aerobatic pilot on Tuesday put on a thrilling aerobatic display filled with loops, rolls, spins, dives and climbs at the Sand & Fun event at Al-Thumamah airport, Riyadh. 

Organized by the Saudi General Aviation, the event runs from Nov. 19-23. 

Castor Fantoba’s performance was one of 10 SkyVentures at Sand & Fun’s series of airshows.

In a sitdown interview with Arab News, Fantoba described how his passion for aviation began and what it takes to become a world-class aerobatic pilot. 

As a child, Fantoba lived in the Spanish region of Navarra, where he watched small planes flying in the sky.

“Every child is looking into the blue ... Near my village there was an older field and eventually there were small planes doing tours and I was always stuck to the glass of the car, looking into the window trying to see if there was something around. I think it was that simple thing that marked my life.”

After secondary school, Fantoba developed a deeper admiration for aviation, which led to him pursuing a career as an engineer. 

Fantoba graduated as an aeronautical engineer and gained his extensive flying experience in areas such as aerial advertising, skywriting, crop-dusting and water-bombing.

He then decided to take a different route and become a pilot, after working for several years in aircraft maintenance. 

Today, Fantoba is an airline captain qualified to fly Boeing 737, 757 and 767s, powered aerobatics in the world-renowned Sukhoi Su-26M and is also a certified flight instructor for ultralight motorized gliders, private pilot licence training, and powered aerobatics.

To prepare for his airshows, Fantoba has a precise regimen of physical training and technical training coached by retired pilot and former member of the Soviet and Russian national aerobatic team, Nikolai Nikituk, who is widely recognized as one of the best pilots in the history of aerobatics. 

“He (Nikituk) is the one who is pushing us and modeling us to arrive at that point in which we will compete and try to win.”

During airshows, pilots take turns performing and on some days the wind could work against them. In moments like those, endurance is key, a practice taught by Nikituk.

“If you control your stress, you get focused and you don’t get nervous and lose energy.” 

Aerobatic pilots draw geometrical figures in the sky using a unique composition of sequences. When performing advanced aerial maneuvers, pilots can experience a range of gravitational forces.

Aerobatic pilots are trained to handle these forces by tensing their muscles to maintain blood flow to the brain and avoid blacking out.

Fantoba said dealing with negative Gz force, when pushing a plane over into a dive, took him 10 years of practice to perfect it. 

“After 10 years of training, (previously) I was not able to get the good rotation or transition, but this year I got it so this for me is the most satisfying.”

To avoid problems in equilibrium, prevent dizziness and fade-out, Fantoba said a lot mental focus, physical conditioning, and training are required. 

“You need to do exactly what you are told to do in a sequence. A sequence is composed of about 14 figures that are very complex with rotations in all directions.” 

Fantoba spoke of an experience when he blacked out during a positive Gz flight. “I remember I was beginning a training camp and I was really relaxed during the beginning of the season ... I was not pushing my body … I remember I was going up and then a voice was calling me ‘Castor, do you hear me?’ (on the radio) and I saw all blue and suddenly realized I was flying.”

Pilots begin with 10 points and lose 1 point per 5 degrees of deviation, so precision is vital to a successful airshow. Pilots usually score an average five points, but Fantoba’s attention to detail allowed him to score 8.3 points in the previous World Championship. 

Fantoba encourages individuals to try flying. “With normal health, you can fly ... you have fantastic aircraft here in Saudi Arabia … call them (organizations) and ask them ‘how can I become a pilot?’ It’s easy and you will discover an absolute new world.”

“Aerobatics and generally all air sports, it does not matter if you are a man or woman, it’s based on skill … in aerobatics we do not have separation.”

Fantoba has numerous achievements to his credit. 

He was a runner-up in the 2022 World Team Championship, runner-up in freestyle at the 2019 World Championship; three bronze medals at the 2017 World Cup; double bronze medal in the 2015 World Cup, bronze medal in Classic and Freestyle in the 2016 European Championship, Absolute European Champion 2014, and nine times Absolute Spanish Champion.

He has been officially recognized as a high level athlete by the Higher Sports Council since 2005. He has bagged more than 50 medals in his sporting career, six medals in a single top-category competition (European Aerobatic Championships 2014). He has won 30 FAI (world governing body for air sports) medals, including six golds.


Man arrested for transporting nine border security violators in Jazan

Updated 21 November 2024
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Man arrested for transporting nine border security violators in Jazan

JAZAN: Authorities in Jazan arrested a citizen for transporting nine border security violators of Yemeni and Ethiopian nationalities. Legal procedures were carried out, and the violators were handed over to the authorities before being transferred to the Public Prosecution.

Authorities have warned that anyone who facilitates the entry of border security violators into the Kingdom, transports them, provides them with shelter, or offers any form of assistance or service, will face severe penalties. These include imprisonment of up to 15 years, fines of up to SR1 million ($266,318), confiscation of any vehicles or properties used in the offense, and public defamation.

Meanwhile, while enforcing environmental regulations in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security arrested a man for illegal hunting in a prohibited area. He was found with an air rifle and three trapped wild animals. Legal measures were taken, and he was referred to the authorities for further action.


Ehsan charity empowers non-profit organizations

Updated 21 November 2024
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Ehsan charity empowers non-profit organizations

RIYADH: Workshops arranged by Ehsan, the national platform for charitable work, are helping empower non-profit organizations.

The initiative will ensure leaders keep pace with the governance of charitable work, with sessions aimed at developing methods to plan and implement projects.

The events are part of Ehsan’s efforts to increase the knowledge and develop the work of its non-governmental partner organizations. They align with its vision of maximizing the impact of projects, developing technical solutions, strengthening partnerships and empowering the non-profit sector.

The first workshops were launched in the Hail, Al-Jouf, Central and Asir regions, and Jeddah Governorate. More than 500 non-governmental organizations took part.