Spirulina: Superfood in a New Light

Waldenburg (Germany) – At Digital Life Design (DLD) in Munich, the international conference and innovation platform, Würth Elektronik announced a new cooperation with Agile Solutions: A highly efficient LED lighting system for microalgae production which has been developed together with the system partner.

Up to seven times more protein-rich than tofu, Spirulina is a real superfood, as well as being a very important raw material for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Optimal growth conditions are needed for efficient phototrophic algae production in Germany, and Würth Elektronik’s cooperation aims to achieve this, as promotion of new ideas and start-ups is an important pillar of the global player’s successful business model.

LED lighting is crucial for yield

Alexander Gerfer, CTO at Würth Elektronik eiSos, and Martin Havers, founder of Agile Solutions, explained the concept: Algae cultivation in Germany takes place in closed indoor systems under controlled conditions. Plant-optimized lighting is crucial for yield. Agile Solutions – In cooperation with Würth Elektronik – has developed a special LED curtain using 700 mid-power LEDs to provide the algae cultures with the ideal lighting.

“LED lighting technology, in general, and plant-optimized lighting, in particular, is not new territory for us,” explains Alexander Gerfer. “With our Connected Vertical Farm prototype, we have already demonstrated, on a small scale, how plants grow and thrive excellently under the ideal LED lighting. And underwater, it works in a very similar way. Thanks to our targeted support, Agile Solutions was able to significantly shorten the development time and quickly bring a sophisticated lighting system to market with integrated self-diagnosis and optimized load distribution.”

Microalgae products are expected to see high market growth of 10.9% on average, particularly in Europe. Germany takes a leading role here. With 16 microalgae-producing companies, we are pioneers in Europe.

Dare to know

At DLD, renowned experts discussed the fundamental questions, problems, and opportunities currently affecting markets, media, culture, and society in their transformation through the Internet and new digital business models. But lifestyle, design, music, and art are other important topics at Digital Life Design, because these areas are witnessing trendsetting changes visible to everyone. This year’s DLD conference motto was “Dare to know.” Artificial intelligence is changing the world and is predicted to grow exponentially. Where the journey is headed – that’s hard to say today.

“The same goes for every innovative idea,” Alexander Gerfer adds. “That’s why we specifically support start-ups in turning their ideas into marketable products – even if success is a long way down the road. Today, circuit designs can be developed much faster with AI support. It’s important, however, that the components planned this way are also available in large quantities and in consistent quality. And that’s why we’re exactly the right partner, even in the AI era.”

About the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group

Würth Elektronik eiSos Group is a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components for the electronics industry and a technology company that spearheads pioneering electronic solutions. Würth Elektronik eiSos is one of the largest European manufacturers of passive components and is active in 50 countries. Production sites in Europe, Asia, and North America supply a growing number of customers worldwide.

The product range includes EMC components, inductors, transformers, RF components, varistors, capacitors, resistors, quartz crystals, oscillators, power modules, Wireless Power Transfer, LEDs, sensors, radio modules, connectors, power supply elements, switches, push-buttons, connection technology, fuse holders and solutions for wireless data transmission. The portfolio is complemented by customized solutions.

The unrivaled service orientation of the company is characterized by the availability of all catalog components from stock without minimum order quantity, free samples, and extensive support through technical sales staff and selection tools.

Würth Elektronik is part of the Würth Group, the global market leader in the development, production, and sale of fastening and assembly materials, and employs 8,200 people. In 2022, the Würth Elektronik Group generated sales of 1.33 Billion Euro.

Würth Elektronik: more than you expect!Further information at www.we-online.com