AlgaEnergy, a Spain-based microalgae supplier with business units in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Asia-Pacific, is the first microalgae-biotechnology company in the world to become a B Corporation (B Corp).

The company joins a community of over 3,800 businesses globally that are B Corps such as Patagonia, Triodos Bank, Danone, Alpro, Ben & Jerry’s, Harris-Woolf Almonds, Burton, Swell, Tillamook, WeTransfer and Innocent. The distinction is awarded to companies that meet a rigorous set of social and environmental standards that represent a commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.

“We are all elated to celebrate this achievement,” said Augusto Rodríguez-Villa, founder of AlgaEnergy. “We began the rigorous certification process in 2019. Becoming a B Corp is not only a first for our industry sector. It is also a recognition that our company and our employees value people and our planet first.”

B Corp measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. To gain B Corp status, a company must verify a high standard of socially and environmentally responsible practices related to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, working conditions, employee benefits, equal opportunities and diversity. Verification of standards related to governance, workers, community, environment and customers must be renewed and independently verified at least every three years.