Europe has 447 algae and Spirulina production units across 23 countries, with macroalgae production primarily relying on wild harvesting and microalgae production concentrated in photobioreactors. The majority of algae biomass is directed towards food and food-related applications, including food supplements and nutraceuticals, while research is ongoing for uses in various other sectors, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels.

Some authors are employed by algae-producing or processing companies, which could influence their perspective on the sector. However, the study is largely based on independently collected data.

This study provides a valuable overview of the European algae sector, including a comprehensive mapping of production units and analysis of production methods and biomass applications. However, the rating is capped at 3 due to existing data gaps and the current limited scale of production, especially regarding microalgae and Spirulina. The dependence of the macroalgae sector on wild stocks raises environmental concerns and limits potential growth. Additionally, the acknowledged COI requires careful consideration, although it does not appear to significantly bias the findings.