Four suppliers have received £2 million in funding to advance Phase 2 of Northern Ireland’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), focused on mitigating blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and nearby waterbodies.

The selected teams — Queen’s University Belfast, Wholeschool Software Ltd with Biild.ai, Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd, and Clear Water Systems Ltd — will refine and test scalable treatment systems proven effective in Phase 1. Their work targets harmful algal bloom (HAB) reduction, ecosystem safety, and long-term water quality improvements without causing further environmental damage.

Backed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and managed by the Strategic Investment Board, Phase 2 marks a key step from proof of concept to commercial readiness. The suppliers will demonstrate measurable results in suppressing algae growth and ensuring compatibility with wider sustainability goals.

Minister Andrew Muir emphasised that restoring Lough Neagh requires science-based collaboration between the public and private sectors. The initiative aligns with DAERA’s broader Lough Neagh Action Plan, which prioritises environmental recovery and the health of Northern Ireland’s freshwater systems.

Running until March 2027, this stage will determine which technologies can be scaled for wider use across the region, potentially reshaping how the UK addresses harmful algal blooms in freshwater environments.

Learn how these four innovators are transforming algae control into a scalable environmental solution. Read the full article here.