The industrial wastewater treatment process using microalgae, developed by the French start-up Zeni, was recognized at the 7th Ocean Innovation Awards.
Held on October 14, 2025, in Brest (Finistère), the awards were organized by Banque Bleue, an initiative created by Banque Populaire Grand Ouest and Crédit Maritime Grand Ouest. Zeni was among six companies honored for innovations with a positive environmental impact, according to Ouest France.
Founded in 2023 by CEO Jean-Michel Pommet and based in Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), Zeni has developed a nature-based industrial wastewater treatment process using microalgae.
The technology leverages the ability of microalgae to purify water by removing nitrates, phosphates, and other pollutants. The Breton solution consists of a compact industrial photobioreactor where microalgae are cultivated, allowing wastewater to be treated and reused, while nutrients are recycled into the produced microalgae biomass.
In addition to providing a quick return on investment through biomass sales and savings on water and energy, the solution supports industries in their environmental transition, particularly in the agri-food sector, where land constraints are often significant.
According to Ouest France, Zeni will launch its first industrial project in the dairy industry and/or in a brewery, serving as a pilot for the construction of its first full-scale industrial microalgae wastewater treatment site.
Source: revue ein
