The Global Algae Summit 2026 took place at Sunway University in Selangor, Malaysia, on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. Under the theme “The Algae Frontier: Catalysing Value and Impact,” it brought together researchers, startups, companies, public research institutions and government agencies to discuss developments in algae research and business.

The summit was organised by Leave a Nest Malaysia and co-organised by Euglena Malaysia and Sunway University. The euglena group contributed two presentations, joined a panel discussion and exhibited foods and raw materials made from the microalga *Euglena*. Across these activities, the focus was on the practical work involved in developing algae-based products and bringing them to market.

Event overview

Name: Global Algae Summit 2026
Theme: The Algae Frontier: Catalysing Value and Impact
Date and time: Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 09:30–17:00
Venue: Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
Organiser: Leave a Nest Malaysia
Co-organisers: Euglena Malaysia and Sunway University

Opening session

The programme began at 09:30 with welcoming remarks from Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, followed by opening remarks from Ms. Farha Husna Ramli of Leave a Nest Malaysia. Professor Datuk Wira Dr. Raha Abdul Rahim of the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia then officiated at the opening ceremony.

Dr. Yukihiro Maru of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. delivered special remarks before a group photo session and the start of the main programme.

Keynote: Building a business around microalgae

Mr. Kim Seong Hwa, Senior Executive Officer of euglena Co., Ltd., CEO of its Healthcare Company and Managing Director of Euglena Malaysia, delivered the second keynote, “Microalgae: No Longer A Future Technology, It Is Already A Business.”

His presentation drew on the company's experience of commercialising *Euglena*. In 2005, euglena Co., Ltd. became the first company in the world to achieve outdoor mass cultivation of the microalga for food use. Since then, it has developed a business centred on healthcare, covering research and development, raw material supply, production, product development and sales.

The keynote described how these activities fit together and how the company is extending its business model to Malaysia. For researchers and startup founders considering commercial applications for their work, the experience offered a concrete example of what it takes to build a business around algae.

The first keynote, “Advancing Algae Research for A Sustainable Future,” was delivered by Professor Emeritus Dr. Hiroyuki Ohta of Science Tokyo, CEO of Phytolipid Technologies Co., Ltd. Together, the two talks covered advances in fundamental research and the experience of bringing algae-based products to market.

Microalgae in agriculture and aquaculture

Dr. Nurarina Ayuni Ghazali of Euglena Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. presented “Research to Reality: Commercializing Microalgae for Sustainable Agriculture and Aquaculture.” Her talk explored applications beyond healthcare, including agricultural inputs to support crop growth and feed for aquaculture.

Using work in Malaysia as a case study, she described the process of moving laboratory findings into field applications and commercial use. Malaysia's tropical climate supports year-round cultivation, while its agricultural sector, including the palm oil industry, provides opportunities to connect algae production with local applications.

Dr. Nurarina also took part in the afternoon poster session. Her poster, “Euglena and Chlorella for Sustainable Crop Growth” (P61), presented research on the use of *Euglena* and *Chlorella* in crop production. It was one of 62 posters displayed at the summit.

Panel discussion: Turning waste into value with algae

Mr. Masashi Mizuki of Euglena Malaysia joined the final morning session, “Turning Waste into Value with Algae.”

The panellists were:

- Associate Professor Dr. Nadiah Abu, UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute
- Mr. Masashi Mizuki, Euglena Malaysia
- Mr. Muril Raman Armugan, NCS GROUP

Dr. Arief Izzairy Zamani of Leave a Nest Malaysia moderated the discussion.

The panel examined how algae can be used to convert waste streams and by-products into useful resources. Participants discussed the technical possibilities alongside the practical challenges of implementation, including cost, reliable feedstock supply, regulatory requirements and scaling up production.

These issues are central to assessing whether a process can operate beyond the laboratory. The discussion placed them in the context of both research and commercial operations.

A second panel, “Algae and Carbon Markets: Vision or Reality?”, took place in the afternoon and explored the role of algae in carbon credit markets.

At the booth: Foods and raw materials made from Euglena

The euglena booth displayed foods made with *Euglena* alongside the raw materials used to produce them. Visitors could see how cultivation and product development translate into food products.

Students, researchers and company representatives stopped by to learn more. Conversations covered nutritional composition, cultivation conditions, product availability in Malaysia and raw material sourcing. The booth gave our team an opportunity to discuss both technical questions and potential business relationships with visitors.

Food applications also featured elsewhere in the programme. The afternoon included the launch of an “Edible Algae” e-book and a cooking demonstration by Chef Chan Eu Yean using algae as an ingredient.

A wider range of applications

Commercial applications were a recurring theme throughout the summit. Alongside healthcare, agriculture and aquaculture, the programme covered uses of algae in resource recovery, water management and environmental work.

Short “pocket talks” featured Dr. Sousuke Imamura of NTT Inc., Japan; Ms. Jean Tan of Atoz CarbonCycle Platform; Professor Chan Eng Seng of Monash University Malaysia; and Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wong Chiew Yen of IMU University.

Other sessions included a presentation on precious metal recovery using algae by Mr. Tadashi Tanimoto, CEO of Galdieria Co. Ltd.; the launch of Leave a Nest Malaysia's LVNS Water Cycle Project; and a presentation on algae as a nature-based solution by Associate Professor Dr. Yow Yoon Yen of Sunway University's School of Pharmacy.

The 62 poster presentations covered biofuels, carbon capture, functional materials, aquaculture, environmental remediation and microplastic monitoring. This range showed how algae research is contributing to several industries, each with its own technical requirements and commercial challenges.

For euglena Co., Ltd., the summit was an opportunity to share two decades of experience in outdoor mass cultivation and commercialisation, and to meet researchers developing new technologies, startups working towards commercial use and companies seeking raw materials.

Continuing collaboration in Southeast Asia

Through the presentations, panel discussion and booth conversations, the summit gave the euglena team an opportunity to strengthen relationships with researchers and businesses in Southeast Asia.

The discussions reflected the work needed to develop algae-based businesses: connecting research with production, finding suitable applications and meeting the needs of customers. euglena Co., Ltd. will continue working with research institutions and companies in Japan and abroad to develop practical uses for microalgae.