07.17.13
The biotech company within Fuji Chemical Group—AstaReal Co., Ltd.—is set to build a new manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, WA. The investment in a U.S. plant follows the recently finalized expansion of AstaReal´s plant in Sweden.
According to the company, the decision to expand capacity is in response to the increased worldwide demand of AstaREAL, natural astaxanthin. The current global market size of natural astaxanthin for the human market is estimated at approximately $200 million and expected to reach $700 million by 2017.
“We see the 21st century as the era of anti-aging. We believe that preventive medicine will play an even greater role in future healthcare as advances in anti-aging and lifestyle disease research drive improvements both in the treatment and prevention of disease and illness. To that end, we have succeeded in realizing the world's first industrial production of natural astaxanthin, which is both safe and high in anti-oxidative potency. We have since devoted greater efforts than any other research organization to advancing astaxanthin research. Astaxanthin is an effective anti-inflammatory agent for both human and animal application. We want to help people achieve healthier and happier lives by delivering astaxanthin to the market place across the world,” said Mitsunori Nishida, president and CEO of Fuji Chemical Industry.
The new facility will utilize environment friendly and ultra-pure bioreactor cultivation technology for the fresh water microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, which has been developed and upgraded within AstaReal since 1994. AstaReal product from the new facility is expected to hit the global market in the summer of 2014. The new production plant will more than double AstaReal’s existing production of natural astaxanthin by 2015.
According to the company, the decision to expand capacity is in response to the increased worldwide demand of AstaREAL, natural astaxanthin. The current global market size of natural astaxanthin for the human market is estimated at approximately $200 million and expected to reach $700 million by 2017.
“We see the 21st century as the era of anti-aging. We believe that preventive medicine will play an even greater role in future healthcare as advances in anti-aging and lifestyle disease research drive improvements both in the treatment and prevention of disease and illness. To that end, we have succeeded in realizing the world's first industrial production of natural astaxanthin, which is both safe and high in anti-oxidative potency. We have since devoted greater efforts than any other research organization to advancing astaxanthin research. Astaxanthin is an effective anti-inflammatory agent for both human and animal application. We want to help people achieve healthier and happier lives by delivering astaxanthin to the market place across the world,” said Mitsunori Nishida, president and CEO of Fuji Chemical Industry.
The new facility will utilize environment friendly and ultra-pure bioreactor cultivation technology for the fresh water microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, which has been developed and upgraded within AstaReal since 1994. AstaReal product from the new facility is expected to hit the global market in the summer of 2014. The new production plant will more than double AstaReal’s existing production of natural astaxanthin by 2015.
