Melbourne – September 10, 2026 -- Australian microalgae company Genesis has won the Agriculture & Environment category at The Australian Financial Review Sustainability Leaders 2026 Awards for a Chlorella-based livestock supplement priced at roughly 20 cents per animal per day, against approximately $2 for some dried alternatives.
Wet-processed Chlorella cuts supplement costs to a fraction of dried competitors
Genesis cultivates Chlorella in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Region using a low-energy process, then keeps the algae wet rather than drying it, a method the company says drives the roughly tenfold cost reduction over dried livestock feed alternatives.
Queensland cattle trials report faster growth and earlier market weight
Trials with Queensland cattle producers have shown faster growth rates and earlier achievement of production weight. A shorter production cycle reduces the period over which cattle generate methane while improving overall farm efficiency, according to the company.
Genesis expands microalgae work into crops, carbon capture and methane reduction
Beyond livestock nutrition, Genesis is developing microalgae applications for crop productivity, carbon capture and utilisation, and agricultural methane reduction, in partnership with research institutions and universities in Australia and internationally.
CEO Eric Chen targets new products and markets following award win
Genesis CEO Eric Chen said the recognition arrives at a pivotal stage for the company. "We now have an opportunity to take this Australian technology into more products and markets, while strengthening our R&D capabilities and exploring how microalgae can help address pressing climate challenges," Chen said.
Co-founder Colin McGregor said the company's agricultural strategy has centred on commercial viability from the outset, arguing that farmers should not have to trade environmental performance for profitability. He said solutions that are affordable, improve animal performance and deliver a clear return stand a far better chance of reaching the scale needed for meaningful impact.