BGG World, along with its subsidiary Algae Health Sciences (AHS), has announced the second major expansion of its glass tube photobioreactor microalgae farm in the last two years. The expansion will double the current capacity of the company’s AstaZine astaxanthin line. Plans have already been finalised and groundbreaking will commence on May 1, 2022 with a one-year projected completion date. The expansion is located approximately one kilometre from the current facility. 

Expansion is necessitated by two factors, the company says: an increase in overall worldwide demand for astaxanthin, and a move by brands around the world to use AstaZine. 

“The worldwide market for Astaxanthin is robust, plus brands around the world are embracing our clinically-validated AstaZine ingredient as the world’s most innovative and highest quality natural astaxanthin,” said Shaheen Majeed, CEO of BGG Americas and Algae Health Sciences. “The team, led by Peinan Zhang, BGG’s Global Product Manager for Astaxanthin, realised that this investment was the only sustainable way forward to answer the increasing demand as consumers increasingly understand the importance of using Astaxanthin for improving human health.” 

With two novel food approvals in the EU for two different extraction methods and an NDI in the USA of 24mg, AstaZine has reportedly demonstrated efficacy in several human clinical trials. The ingredient is patented for the use of astaxanthin to support heart function during exercise; and is the subject of 289 structure/function claims submitted to USA FDA without objection.