ALBON
Project Overview
About
Nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater from dairies, abattoirs and other food processors can trigger harmful algal blooms in rivers and lakes. ALBON adds a modular treatment unit to existing wastewater systems, where bacteria break down organic matter and algae absorb nutrients while supplying oxygen naturally. This reduces the need for energy-intensive mechanical aeration. The harvested algae are converted into biochar that stores carbon, rather than sent to landfill. Early trials show strong nutrient removal, suggesting a lower-energy way to protect waterways and recover value from waste.
Team
Tom Bessell
Tom Bessell is Co-Founder and COO of ALBON, a climate-tech startup that uses algae and bacteria to strip nitrogen and phosphorus from agri-food wastewater. He co-founded ALBON in 2023 as a University of Sydney commerce student, and has since led its finance and fundraising, helping take the technology from a council field trial to a paid pilot at a commercial dairy. Tom was selected as a 2026 One Young World Scholar and has co-led ALBON to runner-up in the MIT Climate & Energy Prize and to the Sky Zero Prize at London Business School's Cleantech Challenge.
Maxwell Giffney
Maxwell Giffney is ALBON's Marketing Lead, turning a technical wastewater process into content people actually want to watch. Within his first month, ALBON's social content drew more than 300,000 views. Max is studying a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Finance alongside a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney, where he has worked on industry projects with Accenture, the Red Cross and Cricket NSW. A former NSW Sailing Team member who competed at the 29er World Championships, he has spent years on the water and cares about keeping it clean.