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Phoenix is a biotechnology leader specializing in microalgae solutions for sustainable agriculture. Our mission is to transform the way farmers grow by integrating natural microalgae innovations that increase productivity, improve soil health, increase crop resilience to abiotic stresses and protect the environment.
Consolidating decades of experience in this field, and a network spanning over 20 countries, we are proud to be the trusted partner of many stakeholders worldwide, genuinely motivated to improve our food production ecosystem.
Microalgae
INNOVATION WITH MICROALGAE – BACK TO THE ORIGIN OF LIFE, FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Microalgae were the first photosynthetic organisms, the origin of all plant-based life. Still present in all ecosystems, they are responsible for over 50% of the oxygen on Earth and serve as the planet’s largest carbon sink, capturing around 200 gigatons of CO2. With more than 80,000 species, microalgae offer unmatched biochemical diversity and potential. That richness, combined with their eco-friendliness, inexhaustibility and high productivity under controlled conditions, make them essential for addressing global environmental challenges.
MICROALGAE IN AGRICULTURE
Microalgae are key to understanding the origin of fertile soils and the future of sustainable agriculture. Since billions of years, microalgae (like cyanobacteria) have been essential in the formation of biological soil crusts, accumulating organic matter and enhancing nutrient cycling. Today, their power is evident in soil health, where a concentration of millions of microalgae cells per gram of soil, promote fertility and biodiversity. As agriculture faces global challenges, microalgae-based solutions provide effective answers: they increase crop yields and quality, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and regenerate degraded soils. Microalgae-based biostimulants offer significant economic, technical, and environmental advantages over alternatives based on other raw materials. These attributes not only make them superior to existing solutions, but also position them as the cornerstone of a modern, more competitive and sustainable food production ecosystem.
Our Team
Phoenix’s main asset is its own team and network of engaged professionals. Everything we do is based on the human quality and professional competence of our team, which is multidisciplinary, multigenerational, multicultural and above all, very experienced in their fields.
From experts in engineering and biochemistry, to experts in regulation and agronomy, our team is built to provide a comprehensive 360 solutions-oriented service, for our partners to have peace of mind and be able to focus on their business.
Our Team
Phoenix’s main asset is its own team and network of engaged professionals. Everything we do is based on the human quality and professional competence of our team, which is multidisciplinary, multigenerational, multicultural and above all, very experienced in their fields.
From experts in engineering and biochemistry, to experts in regulation and agronomy, our team is built to provide a comprehensive 360 solutions-oriented service, for our partners to have peace of mind and be able to focus on their business.
Augusto Rodríguez-Villa
Chairman
Madrid, Spain
Augusto Rodríguez-Villa is a Spanish lawyer and serial entrepreneur known for his leadership in various industrial sectors. In the 1980s, he founded and chaired Spain’s leading security group. During the 1990s, he played a key role in introducing automotive brands such as Mazda, Kia, Chevrolet, and Cadillac (GM) to the Spanish market, making his group the largest car importer in the country.
His business ventures have created over 4,000 jobs, and he was named “Executive of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce in 1998. He has also received honors from the Spanish government for his contributions.
In the field of agriculture, he founded the company AlgaEnergy, world pioneer in microalgae-biotechnology, of which he was President for 20 years.
In 2025, he received a relevant global award for his contributions and legacy in the field of sustainable agriculture.
Arne Pingel
Founding
Partner
Madrid, Spain
Arne Pingel is an experienced agribusiness executive with more than 30 years of international leadership across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He has built his career at the intersection of innovation and sustainable agriculture, specializing in biostimulants, biofertilizers, crop protection, and seedcare.
Before co-founding Phoenix Biosolutions, Arne served as Global Head of Strategic Marketing at Rovensa Next. He also held senior positions at Syngenta Crop Protection, driving the growth of one of the industry’s largest biostimulant portfolios, and at Bayer CropScience, where he worked for nearly two decades in roles spanning product management, country leadership, and strategy.
Arne has played a prominent role in shaping the future of the biostimulant industry, serving as President of the Board of Directors of the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC), representing more than 70 companies across the sector.
Known for his agile leadership style, Arne is passionate about mentoring teams, fostering innovation, and developing strategies that help agriculture transition toward more sustainable and resilient practices. With his deep global network and proven track record, he brings both vision and executional strength to Phoenix Biosolutions.
Miguel Rodríguez-Villa
Founding
Partner
Madrid, Spain
Miguel Rodriguez-Villa is Founding Partner of Phoenix Biosolutions, with a decade of experience in microalgae biotechnology and a multidisciplinary background that bridges science, strategy, and communication. He holds a degree in Law, Finance and a Master’s in Philosophy applied to science, bringing a unique perspective to innovation in sustainable agriculture.
Before co-founding Phoenix Biosolutions, Miguel served as Vice President of Global Strategy at AlgaEnergy, where he led international expansion and strategic positioning in the biosolutions sector. His career also spans roles in business development, capital markets, and e-commerce, with experience at companies such as Zalando, Fidentiis Equities (Bestinver), and AFA Press.
Active in the biosolutions industry, he co-leads the communication strategy for the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC), representing over 70 companies across the sector. Known for his strategic thinking and ability to connect science with market impact, he brings a strong narrative and global vision to Phoenix Biosolutions.
David Hiltz
Senior
Advisor
Nova Scotia, Canada
David Hiltz is an experienced leader in the agribusiness and biostimulant industries. With degrees in plant biochemistry, his expertise is founded in the development, differentiation, and commercialization of novel plant biostimulants derived from marine algae.
David spent almost 30 years with Acadian Seaplants, a global leader in sustainable marine-based products for agriculture and people. His role saw him lead teams spanning fundamental research, process and product development, and regulatory and commercial science, culminating in his recognition as a Technology Fellow.
As Director of Global Regulatory Affairs, David led a Global team focused on registration of Acadian’s plant biostimulants around the world. Achievements included registrations in more than 50 countries and achieving one of the first registrations of a plant biostimulant under the newly published EU Fertilizer Products Regulation.
As a recognized leader in plant biostimulants. he has participated in multiple International Industry Associations, lobbying for recognition and appropriate regulation of this emerging sector. His service has been recognized with roles on the Board of Directors of both the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC) and the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA).
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa
Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner
Madrid, Spain
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster is an experienced executive in biotechnology applied to agriculture, with a strong background in business leadership and international industry associations. For approximately a decade and a half, he served as Managing Director at AlgaEnergy, a pioneering company in microalgae biotechnology for sustainable agriculture founded by his family. He grew that company from below 15 employees at research scale to over 100 FTEs and established global commercial operations, serving millions of farmers in +20 countries through a network of valuable partnerships.
He currently is President of the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC), a world-leading industry association representing more than 70 companies across the sector. He is also Board Member as the World Agriculture Forum, and also at the Spanish Plant Biotechnology Platform. He is also founder and business angel in different startups related to green, red and white biotechnologies.
Throughout his career, Carlos has successfully led business expansions in different sectors, from media to e-commerce, but the majority of it has been dedicated to the global expansion of microalgae-based solutions in different sectors, particularly in agriculture. He has played a key role in shaping the European biostimulants industry in different fronts, from science and innovation to regulatory and business developments.
Our History
Mission & Values
Phoenix Biosolutions mission is to democratize high quality microalgae-based innovations, accelerating their market introduction by making them more accessible to farmers, leveraging on the reach of key distributors whom it establishes long-term stable partnerships with. Our model is all about empowering distributors and farmers.
- Core Values:
- Transparency – With us, reality matches expectations.
- Humility – We never stop learning.
- Partnership – Long-term relationships are our main driver.
- Excellence – We go the extra mile.
- Innovation – Our expertise is adding differential value.
Message from Phoenix Biosolutions’ CEO
Dear Visitor,
At PHOENIX, we believe that the future of agriculture lies not just in innovation—but in access to innovation.
Our company was born from two decades of experience at the forefront of microalgae-based innovations, particularly biostimulant products. As the original founders of a global leader in this space, we witnessed firsthand the transformative power of microalgae in sustainable farming. But we also saw its limitations: a traditional product-based model that kept innovation out of reach for many farmers.
So we decided to do things differently:
PHOENIX is not a mere product company. We are a service partner—working hand-in-hand with distributors, cooperatives and large-scale farmers to establish turnkey microalgae-biostimulants production facilities, transferring to them our know-how and experience, so they can produce their own biostimulants locally.
This model is disruptive by design:
- It empowers distributors with higher margins and a competitive edge, offering them more protection to develop their own market penetration strategies.
- It enables farmers’ access to more affordable cutting-edge biostimulants, that provide them with solutions to their needs.
- It shortens the supply chain, democratizing innovation and making sustainability scalable.
We are proud to be pioneering a new way forward—one that puts control, value, and impact directly in the hands of those who grow our food.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster
CEO, PHOENIX BIOSOLUTIONS