A NEW BIOSTIMULATION CONCEPT ARRIVES THROUGH THE R&D PROJECT “ALGATROYA”

February 26, 2026

The Andalusian consortium led by Biorizon Biotech, together with the University of Almería and Fundación Grupo Cajamar, will develop an innovative dual biostimulant based on microalgae, with funding from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and European FEDER funds.

Sustainable agriculture takes a step forward with the launch of the research project “Dual biostimulation from microalgae as a tool in sustainable and regenerative agriculture – ALGATROYA,” an R&D initiative committed to a new concept of dual biostimulation based on microalgae.

The Andalusian consortium led by the Almería-based biotechnology company Biorizon Biotech, together with the University of Almería and Fundación Grupo Cajamar, has begun the implementation of the research project “Dual biostimulation from microalgae as a tool in sustainable and regenerative agriculture – ALGATROYA,” funded by FEDER/Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities – State Research Agency / Project (CPP2024-011516), through the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027, State Program for Knowledge Transfer and Collaboration (2024 Public-Private Partnership Call of MICINN), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and awarded at the end of 2025.

Its objective is to develop an innovative dual-effect biostimulant based on microalgae, designed for application in organic and regenerative agriculture. This new product will act simultaneously as a soil prebiotic, stimulating beneficial microbial activity in the rhizosphere, and as a plant biostimulant, promoting crop growth, development, and resilience. The proposal is based on the selection of microalgae with a high content of bioactive metabolites capable of enhancing the microbiota–soil–plant synergy, developing a sustainable production process grounded in the full valorization of biomass and in advanced automation, monitoring, and control technologies.

ALGATROYA, with a budget of €597,900.16 and a duration of 36 months, represents an intensive public-private collaboration between Biorizon Biotech, S.L., as the lead company responsible for the exploitation and commercialization of the results; the University of Almería, through specialized groups in microalgae biotechnology and chemical engineering (Desalination and Photosynthesis BIO-352), Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics (TEP-197), as well as Analytical Chemistry of Contaminants (FQM-170); and Fundación Grupo Cajamar. This multidisciplinary consortium covers the entire value chain, from fundamental laboratory research and the identification of metabolites of interest, to industrial production, processing, formulation, and agronomic field validation. The ultimate goal is to bring to market a new line of disruptive prebiotic biostimulants aligned with European strategies on sustainability, circular economy, and the transition toward a more efficient and regenerative agriculture.

The coordination and management of the project are led by CLEVER I+C, an Almería-based consultancy specialized in R&D in biotechnology and agri-food, headquartered at the Almería Science and Technology Park (PITA), which has been the driving force behind the initiative.

ALGATROYA covers the entire value chain, from basic laboratory research and the identification of compounds of interest to industrial production, formulation, and agronomic field validation. The ultimate objective is to bring to market a new line of disruptive prebiotic biostimulants aligned with European strategies on sustainability, circular economy, and the transition toward a more efficient and regenerative agriculture.

The collaboration between Biorizon Biotech, the University of Almería (UAL), and Fundación Grupo Cajamar is built on a well-established track record of public-private cooperation in biotechnology applied to agriculture. For more than a decade, the three entities have developed R&D projects focused on improving soil fertility, biological pest control, and plant biostimulation through microorganisms and microalgae, through initiatives such as BACAGRO (2015–2018), ALGAE4CONTROL (2018–2021), and ALCERES (2022–2025), all funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, in addition to other collaborations financed by the European Commission.
At the same time, the relationship between the company and the university has been further strengthened through the Biorizon Biotech–UAL Chair in Regenerative Agriculture 4.0, jointly promoted by Biorizon Biotech and UAL, focused on research, training, and knowledge transfer in sustainable agriculture, microalgae, and digitalization. Moreover, Biorizon Biotech, UAL, and Cajamar have maintained a stable collaboration for years in agri-food research and circular bioeconomy, fostering the creation of synergies and innovation projects within the region.