Industrial Plankton

What Industrial Plankton does

Industrial Plankton Inc. is a privately held Canadian manufacturer founded in 2010 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia. The company designs and builds closed photobioreactor (PBR) systems for on-site production of biosecure live microalgae and macroalgae, serving aquaculture hatcheries (oysters, shrimp, bivalves, marine finfish), biotechnology companies (pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, biofuels, bioremediation), research institutions, and — more recently — seaweed nurseries. The product line spans four core platforms: the PBR 100L (research scale), PBR 1250L (mid-scale industrial), PBR 2500L dual-tank (large-scale industrial), and the modular Seaweed Bioreactor System (SBR) launched in 2022 for macroalgae propagation. All units share a common architecture integrating automated clean-in-place (CIP) systems, algae-specific spectrum-controlled LEDs, multi-stage biosecurity filtration (down to 0.1µm absolute with UV sterilization), touchscreen controls with remote WiFi access, real-time data logging, and peristaltic-pump nutrient dosing. The PBR 2500L can replace up to 70,000L of traditional batch culture while reducing labor to 1.5–2.25 hours per week per unit.

The company's revenue model combines one-time equipment sales (quote-based, no public pricing), an online parts and consumables e-commerce channel, a recurring PlanktonCare extended warranty/support subscription (renewable up to 5 years), optional on-site installation and training services, and pre-purchase trial programs operated through third-party partner labs. Go-to-market is sales-assisted and direct, supported by content marketing (website, downloadable technical resources, client portal) and a global reach spanning 40+ countries. The customer base is distributed across enterprise hatcheries (Hog Island Oyster Co., Omarsa, Nova Harvest, Novostrea Bretagne, Orkney Shellfish Hatchery, Vitapro-Nicovita), research stations (St. Andrews Biological Station, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cornell Cooperative Extension), and biotechnology firms (MARBIONIC). In 2024, the company tripled its production capacity by acquiring and upgrading a new manufacturing facility, concurrent with securing a $666,642 grant from Pacific Economic Development Canada — the most significant of several non-dilutive funding awards (also Innovate BC in 2021, Creative Destruction Lab in 2017). Cumulative disclosed external capital is approximately $691,642, indicating a largely bootstrapped growth profile.

Name

Industrial Plankton

Legal name

Industrial Plankton Inc.

Website

https://industrialplankton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Industrial Plankton designs and manufactures closed photobioreactor systems for biosecure on-site algae production, serving aquaculture hatcheries, biotechnology companies, research institutions, and seaweed nurseries in 40+ countries from its Victoria, BC headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquaculture Bioreactor Equipment

NAICS

Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAEAAAE

Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Aquaculture (Fish & Shellfish Farming)

Keywords

• Photobioreactor equipment
• Algae culture systems
• Aquaculture bioreactors
• Live algae production
• Seaweed cultivation equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Langford

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Photobioreactor Equipment Sales: Sale of turnkey photobioreactor systems including PBR 100L, PBR 1250L, PBR 2500L, and Seaweed Bioreactor Systems. Equipment includes water pre-treatment tank, top light, temperature control unit, and algae culture chamber.
2. Parts and Accessories: Online parts store offering filters, fittings, tubing, replacement parts, UV sterilizer bulbs, gaskets, clamps, and other consumables and accessories for photobioreactor systems.
3. PlanktonCare Support Plans: Extended warranty and support packages including remote monitoring, consultation, spare parts kit, exclusive discounts on parts, and software updates. Extended warranty covers normal wear and tear in harsh marine environments.
4. Installation and Training Services: On-site installation and training services where specialists visit facilities to teach setup, operation, and algae culturing techniques. Includes pre-installation collaboration, commissioning, and first inoculation assistance.
5. Algae Trial Testing: Pre-purchase trial programs allowing customers to test their algae strains in Industrial Plankton photobioreactors through third-party labs before committing to purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Industrial Plankton manufactures and sells turnkey closed photobioreactor systems (PBR 100L, PBR 1250L, PBR 2500L, and Seaweed Bioreactors) that automate on-site, biosecure live algae production for aquaculture hatcheries, biotechnology companies, and research institutions. Each system integrates automated clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning, algae-specific LED lighting, multi-stage filtration, and touchscreen controls with remote WiFi monitoring. The company supplements equipment sales with parts/accessories, optional on-site installation and training services, and a PlanktonCare extended warranty and support subscription.

Product overview

Industrial Plankton offers a portfolio of turnkey photobioreactors for clean, on-site, live algae production. The product line includes four main photobioreactor models: the PBR 100L (research scale for lab applications), PBR 1250L (mid-scale industrial unit), PBR 2500L (dual-tank large-scale production system), and Seaweed Bioreactors (SBRs for macroalgae cultivation). All units share a common architecture featuring automated controls, biosecure closed-tank design, clean-in-place systems, real-time data logging, and remote WiFi monitoring. The company also offers supplementary products including a parts catalog and PlanktonCare extended warranty/support package, along with optional on-site installation and training services. The systems are designed for aquaculture hatcheries, biotechnology companies, and research laboratories worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PBR 2500L Dual Algae Photobioreactor Industrial-scale dual photobioreactor with two 1250L tanks designed for reliable high-density algae production, with automated scale-up, clean-in-place system, touchscreen controls, and remote WiFi access. Can harvest 400-1000L per day and replaces up to 70,000L of traditional batch tanks.
• PBR 1250L Algae Photobioreactor Industrial photobioreactor for reliably growing algae in aquaculture and biotech settings, with 1250L capacity, 200-500L daily harvest, automated controls, clean-in-place system, and real-time data logging. Replaces up to 35,000L of traditional batch tanks.
• PBR 100L Research Algae Photobioreactor Compact research-scale photobioreactor with Kavalier and Schott borosilicate glass tank, adjustable LED spectrum, and batch, fed-batch, or continuous operation. Designed for researchers scaling beyond flask cultures, with 10-50L daily harvest capacity.
• Seaweed Bioreactors (SBRs) Modular closed-loop system designed for propagating seaweeds via fragmentation, with temperature-controlled enclosures, automated CO2 dosing for pH control, biosecure 0.2µm filtration, spectrum-controlled LEDs, real-time data logging, and web-based remote access.
• Photobioreactor Parts and Accessories Online catalog of replacement parts and accessories including filters, fittings, tubing, gaskets, UV sterilizer bulbs, and tools for Industrial Plankton photobioreactor systems, with USD-listed unit pricing.
• PlanktonCare Support Plan
• On-Site Installation and Training

Quantifiable outcome

• PBR 2500L replaces up to 70,000L of traditional batch tanks or 60 continuous 400L bags
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Varicon Aqua: UK-based designer and manufacturer of photobioreactors and algae cultivation systems for aquaculture and research. Most direct head-to-head competitor in closed PBR systems with overlapping aquaculture hatchery and research customer base.
• Subitec: German manufacturer of flat-panel and closed photobioreactor systems for microalgae production. Competes in the same industrial algae cultivation equipment category with comparable aquaculture and biotech customers in Europe.
• A4F — Algae for Future: Portuguese company specializing in algae production technology and photobioreactor design, including industrial-scale systems. Directly competes in closed PBR equipment sales while also operating production facilities, giving it both supplier and operator exposure.

Emerging players

• Phycom: Netherlands-based algae production and technology company developing microalgae cultivation systems for food, feed, and nutraceutical applications. Overlaps in photobioreactor hardware and algae-based end products targeting similar aquaculture/biotech buyers.
• Easy Photobioreactor (formerly AlgaeAquaculture): Smaller hobbyist and small-scale photobioreactor supplier offering DIY and entry-level closed systems. Partial overlap with Industrial Plankton's smaller PBR 100L research unit, primarily in the research/hobby segment.

Regional players

• Cyanotech: Hawaii-based commercial producer of microalgae (Spirulina, astaxanthin) using open-pond and emerging closed systems. Shares the algae production end-market but operates as a producer rather than equipment vendor, making it a customer-adjacent peer.

Others

• SCHOTT AG: Global borosilicate glass manufacturer whose components are used inside Industrial Plankton's PBR tanks (e.g., Kavalier/Schott glass in the PBR 100L). Component supplier enabling the proprietary tank architecture rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Indust_Plankton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Industrial Plankton