Circular Carbon Economy: The Role of Microalgae in Utilizing Industrial Emissions and Wastewater

Microalgae have emerged as a promising solution to address global environmental challenges, particularly in the context of the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE).This mini-review explores the transformative role of microalgae in CO sequestration, wastewater treatment, and the production of value-added products such as biofuels, bioplastics, and fertilizers.With CO fixation rates up to 50 times higher than terrestrial plants, microalgae offer a dual benefit of carbon capture and resource recovery.Innovative systems integrating flue gases and wastewater provide an efficient framework for addressing industrial emissions and nutrient loads.Hybrid cultivation systems, such as photobioreactors coupled with open ponds, demonstrate high productivity and cost-efficiency.However, challenges remain, including high operational costs, energy-intensive processes, and scalability issues.Recent advancements in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence (AI) have enhanced microalgal productivity and system optimization, offering pathways to overcome these barriers.Policy support, subsidies, and interdisciplinary research are critical for large-scale adoption and economic viability.By leveraging their unique properties and integrating them into industrial frameworks, microalgae can play a pivotal role in achieving global sustainability goals and advancing the principles of the CCE.This mini review highlights key technological, economic, and policy insights to propel microalgae-based systems toward mainstream industrial applications.