Lgem
Lgem designs and manufactures tubular glass photobioreactors (PBRs) for microalgae cultivation, ranging from 25L to 45,000L+, using patented two-phase flow technology. It sells direct to research institutes, aquaculture operators, food and pharmaceutical companies globally, supported by its AlgaeHUB® de-risking facility.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersDe Kwakel, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lgem does
Lgem is a Dutch biotech company that designs, manufactures, and services tubular glass photobioreactors (PBRs) for industrial microalgae cultivation. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in De Kwakel, Netherlands near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the company offers a vertically integrated product portfolio spanning lab-scale systems (Lab-5, Lab-25, Lab-275, Lab-550: 25–550 L), pilot-scale systems (Pilot-275 through Pilot-6600: 925–6,600 L), and industrial systems (Helios-25/35 and Entos-45: 25,000–45,000 L), all built around patented WavyWind® and Bubblebrush® two-phase flow technologies that use gas-driven circulation without liquid pumps and prevent biofouling via wall-scouring bubbles. The MPCC cloud-based control computer, Medusa® sanitary couplings, and supporting add-ons (Culture Harvest Unit, Clean Water Unit) complete a turnkey offering.
The company's commercial model is direct enterprise sales of capital equipment, augmented by AlgaeHUB®-based de-risking, pilot testing, training/support, and system integration services. Customer segments include research institutes and universities (Wageningen, UTS, University Queensland, DTU, ETH Zurich, Arizona State, Nord University, Ghent, Nantes, NIBIO, Agroscope, CIBBA, Saint Ilan, TII), aquaculture companies (CFEED), food/ingredient companies (v2food for RepliHue™ plant-based coloring), and emerging pharmaceutical/nutraceutical and environmental/bioremediation applications. Lgem secured investment from Navus Ventures (linked to the Lely family office) in March 2023 to fund international expansion, continued R&D, and the 8,000 m² AlgaeHUB facility, which doubles as both a customer de-risking platform and a commercial showcase. The company operates as a private Dutch scale-up with leadership including CEO Bas Swildens, Founder & Global Business Development Sander Hazewinkel, CSO Pieter Oostlander, and Director AlgaeHUB Jeroen de Vree.
Lgem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lgem
- Legal name
- Lgem
- Website
- https://lgem.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lgem designs and manufactures tubular glass photobioreactors (PBRs) for microalgae cultivation, ranging from 25L to 45,000L+, using patented two-phase flow technology. It sells direct to research institutes, aquaculture operators, food and pharmaceutical companies globally, supported by its AlgaeHUB® de-risking facility.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lgem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photobioreactor Systems for Microalgae Cultivation
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae) (AFAEAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Upstream Bioprocessing Systems & Equipment (cell culture/fermentation, bioreactors, feeds/media) (HLAAAJAA), Biofuel Plant EPC, O&M & Process Technology Providers (EUAAAHAK)
Keywords
Where Lgem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- De Kwakel
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lgem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Photobioreactor Hardware Sales: Sale of tubular glass photobioreactor systems ranging from lab-scale (25L) to industrial-scale (45,000L+). Systems are sold as complete turnkey solutions including circulation tanks, pump sets, sensors, switch cabinets, and control systems.
- AlgaeHUB Services: De-risking services, pilot-scale testing, business case validation, R&D services, and consultancy offered at the AlgaeHUB facility. Customers can test systems and validate production processes at commercial scale before investing.
- Training and Support: Customer support plans including training, weekly meetings, troubleshooting support, and process optimization collaboration.
- System Integration Services: Integration of PBRs into fully automated production facilities with upstream and downstream unit operations, climate-controlled buildings, and consulting for facility design.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Lab-scale systems (25-550L) for research and starter culture production |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Pilot-scale systems (925-6,600L) for validation and upscaling |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Industrial-scale systems (25,000-45,000L) for commercial production |
| Other | Multi-year contract | AlgaeHUB de-risking and R&D services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lgem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lgem designs, manufactures, and sells patented tubular glass photobioreactor (PBR) systems for cultivating microalgae, ranging from 25 L laboratory units to industrial installations exceeding 1,000,000 liters. Its systems use proprietary WavyWind® and Bubblebrush® two-phase flow technology, are fully automated and Industry 4.0-ready, and are delivered as turnkey solutions including upstream/downstream process integration. The company also operates the AlgaeHUB® facility, providing commercial-scale pilot testing, de-risking, R&D, training, and consultancy services to customers before they commit to full-scale capital investments.
Product overview
Lgem offers a comprehensive portfolio of tubular glass photobioreactor (PBR) systems for microalgae cultivation, ranging from 25 litres to 45,000 litres, built around patented two-phase flow technologies (Wavywind® and Bubblebrush®). The product lineup includes the Lab series (Lab-25, Lab-275, Lab-550) for laboratory research, the Pilot series (Pilot-275, Pilot-925, Pilot-1700, Pilot-3450, Pilot-6600) for pilot-scale operations, and the Industrial series (Helios-25, Helios-35, Entos-45) for large-scale commercial production. These systems are supported by the AlgaeHUB® platform, which provides de-risking, R&D, consultancy, and validation services. Supporting products include Culture Harvest Units, Clean Water Units, and the MPCC control computer. The systems are Industry 4.0 ready, feature automated monitoring and control, and use proprietary Wavywind® and Bubblebrush® technologies for efficient, contamination-resistant algae cultivation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AlgaeHUB: A unique de-risking facility and platform offering customers the possibility to optimize and validate their business case on industrial scale before making significant investments. The facility spans 7,000-8,000 m² with over 18 production units.
Products and services
- Lab-25 Tubular glass photobioreactor designed as a reliable research tool for producing ultra-clean inoculum material. Features a vertical tubular helix made from transparent glass pipes, a glass circulation vessel, instrumentation, and LED illumination mounted on a moveable stainless steel frame. Targeted at laboratory research and ultra-pure starter culture production.
- Lab-5
- Lab-550
- Pilot-275
- Pilot-925
- Pilot-1700
- Pilot-3450
- Pilot-6600
- Helios-25
- Helios-35
- Entos-45
- AlgaeHUB® De-risking & Validation Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 70% increased productivity compared to conventional systems
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Lgem
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lgem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Lgem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- Netherlands Agricultural Network in the GCC (LAN-GCC)minorLgem participated in a sustainable protein seminar organized by LAN-GCC in collaboration with the Saudi Agrifood Tech Alliance (SAFTA) during Saudi Agriculture 2025 in Riyadh, exploring insect-based feed and algae/seaweed solutions for aquaculture.
- v2foodflagshipLgem's collaboration with v2food led to the commercial launch of RepliHue™ ingredient, with v2food demonstrating the product at SXSW Sydney 2023. A production facility is being developed in Australia based on Lgem technology.
- v2foodflagshipLgem collaborated with v2food (Australia's #1 plant-based meat company) to cultivate a temperature-sensitive red algae for RepliHue™, a natural ingredient that changes plant-based protein color during cooking like real meat. Lgem used its Lab-25, Pilot systems, and Entos-45 to scale from lab to industrial production, achieving successful results demonstrated at SXSW Sydney in October 2023.
- LelycoreLely (farming innovators) is connected to Lgem through Navus Ventures family office. Navus Ventures draws from the knowledge and network of Lely's longstanding history in high-tech product development and successful market entry of innovations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Lgem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lgem social profiles
Digital presenceLgem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lgem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Lgem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lgem M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lgem
What does Lgem do?
Lgem designs, manufactures, and sells patented tubular glass photobioreactor (PBR) systems for cultivating microalgae, ranging from 25 L laboratory units to industrial installations exceeding 1,000,000 liters. Its systems use proprietary WavyWind® and Bubblebrush® two-phase flow technology, are fully automated and Industry 4.0-ready, and are delivered as turnkey solutions including upstream/downstream process integration. The company also operates the AlgaeHUB® facility, providing commercial-scale pilot testing, de-risking, R&D, training, and consultancy services to customers before they commit to full-scale capital investments.
Is Lgem a public or private company?
Lgem is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Lgem founded?
Lgem was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lgem based?
Lgem is headquartered in De Kwakel, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Lgem make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Photobioreactor Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are algaeHUB Services, training and Support and system Integration Services.
Does Lgem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lgem.
What industry is Lgem in?
Lgem's product category is Photobioreactor Systems for Microalgae Cultivation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEAAAE, Seaweed & Algae Aquaculture (incl. microalgae), with a secondary code of HLAAAJAA, Upstream Bioprocessing Systems & Equipment (cell culture/fermentation, bioreactors, feeds/media). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3826.