Questions and answers

Algae and cultivation

What strains do you have in the collection?

All our available strains are indexed and searchable in the strain catalogue.

I am searching for an algal strain with specific properties. Can you help?

Please contact us and we will do our best to help you.

Can you advise on how to cultivate specific strains?

Sure, contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Services and collaboration

Can we collaborate with NORCCA on projects?

Get in touch with us! NIVA and UiO have leading expertise in algal systematics, biology, physiology, genetics and ecology, toxic algae and monitoring, and of course algal culturing and isolation. We welcome the prospect of project collaboration with other organizations, and will forward your request to the researchers at NIVA and UiO that will contact you.

Are you available for bioprospecting?

We welcome organizations that wish to consider exploiting the potential resources in our cultures. In addition to our algal cultures, we offer our leading expertise to augment the process. Get in touch!

Can I deposit strains in your culture collection?

Yes, we can deposit strains from external sources. We assess the possibility of deposits on a case-by-case. Contact us and we can work out the details.

Pricing and Invoicing

What about duties and taxes?

All prices quoted in the shop are excluding value added tax (VAT). VAT will only be added on the invoice of orders within Norway. We are required to declare the actual cost of our products on the customs documentation for international shipments. The payments of any duties or taxes assessed by the receiving country are the responsibility of the buyer and will be billed separately by the shipping provider.

How do I pay for the order?

You can pay on-line by using credit card payment or PayPal.

What does the algae and growth media cost?

Each algal strain (20 ml) has a fixed price of 500,- Norwegian Crowns (NOK) for education (high school and University courses only),  600,- NOK for research purposes, and 1300,- NOK for commercial use (including toxicity testing and feed). Medium growth kits are sold in two sizes. The price is fixed for all uses and excludes the additional shipping cost. The 500 ml and 1000 ml cost 400,- NOK and 600,- NOK respectively.

Shipping

How long after I place an order will you send the algae?

We will start processing your order as soon as possible. Smaller orders are normally shipped within a week of order, while large or complex orders can take up to three weeks to process.
If you have ordered K- or UiO strains, please note that the dispatch of these strains may require additional time. We anticipate that these strains will be ready for shipment within 2-3 weeks after placing your order. If the strains you ordered are not in optimal condition, such as being contaminated or non-viable, rest assured that our dedicated staff will promptly address the issue. Our team will reach out to you to discuss the situation and the available options.

Do you ship to my country?

We make an effort to ship to any country. Note that some of the strains in the collection are toxic and may be subject to import or export restrictions. We will contact you if this is the case with your order. Also note that it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that it is legal to import the algae strains ordered in the buyer’s country. Any issues arising in customs are the responsibility of the buyer.

How long does shipping take?

We will send you a confirmation e-mail when the order has shipped. We use the Express Post for all our shipping, and their shipping time estimates vary from country to country. Express shipping within Norway generally takes 1day (over night). International curer delivery estimates vary, and generally takes 2-3 days.

What are my obligations when the algae arrive?

Our goal is always for the cultures to arrive in best possible condition. Once the shipment leaves us, it can be subjected to a range of stress, like varying temperatures or vibrations, which can affect the survivability of the algae. Cultures need to be inspected immediately upon arrival to determine if they are viable. You should get in touch with us immediately if there are any problems detected. Issues must be reported within 14 days of receiving shipping confirmation from us. Later notice will forfeit all rights for a replacement.

What happens if the algae are non-viable on arrival?

First of all, we’re sorry this happened. We will re-ship any cultures that were non-viable on arrival. Note that we will only re-ship if you give us notice within 14 days of receiving the e-mail confirming that the shipment has been sent.

What shipping options do you provide?

We offer only “express” shipping, both within Norway and internationally. Prices are independent on weight or international shipping location. Express shipping over night within Norway costs 600 NOK, within Scandinavia 1000 NOK. International express shipping with curer delivery costs 1200 NOK.

Can I collect orders myself?

Yes! Make sure you choose "Collect at NIVA" or "Collect at UiO" before submitting an order. After you submit an order we will get in touch with you to arrange a date and time for collection.