The Algae Biomass Organization recently released its 2013 industry survey conducted in January where more than 470 people within the algae industry submitted their opinions and projections on the industry’s growth, barriers to advancement and policy priorities through 2020.

According to the survey, respondents this year more optimistic that algae fuels will be price competitive within the decade; that production and hiring will increase in both the short and long term; and that improved federal policy could significantly benefit the industry’s development of algae-based fuels, feeds, fertilizers and other products.

Here are the key highlights of the survey:

• The 2013 survey shows that optimism on the price competitiveness of algae fuels remains. Around 91% of respondents say it is likely that algae-based fuels will be cost-competitive by 2020.
• Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of producers say the price will be below $3.00 per gallon by 2020.
• Congressional engagement is high—65% of respondents’ organizations either have met with or plan to meet with legislators.
• Job growth was confidently predicted by employers for 2013. By 2020 some were projecting significant growth, but with more uncertainty (up to 30% of ABO members were not sure what their employment figures would be in 2020).
• 90% of employers say better federal policy support would likely accelerate hiring.
• The most important federal policies in building a robust algae industry were identified as Research and Development, commercialization grants, and Tax Credits/Incentives.
• The most critical challenges for the industry to achieve cost-competitiveness were identified by producers as cost-efficient production systems and harvesting and extraction systems.