Valensa Announces Expansion of Astaxanthin Extraction Capacity

13/02/08 Valensa International has announced that it has increased its capacity for the extraction of Haematococcus pluvialis for the manufacture of finished all-natural astaxanthin. The move was made in light of recently growing demand for a high-quality astaxanthin in North America, Asia and Europe that is both pesticide-free and allergen-free – two conditions that are only possible with select raw material sources and extraction facilities. In addition to market demand, a recently formed Strategic Alliance with Cyanotech Corporation (Kona, HI), where Valensa provide extraction services of raw material provided by Cyanotech, will require increased capacity to facilitate orderly growth of supply for the market and increased uptake of Valensa’s own ZANTHIN natural astaxanthin brand. The capacity expansion will be approximately 20% and will be achieved primarily through manufacturing efficiencies and de-bottlenecking its facilities in Eustis, Florida, USA. The expansion will include new facilities for screening biomass against the presence of pesticides. Astaxanthin products extracted at Valensa’s Eustis facility will be certified pesticide- and allergen-free.

According to Dr. Rudi Moerck, President of Valensa, high quality astaxanthin biomass and strict quality control in manufacturing are the two key elements for creating a finished astaxanthin product that meets or exceeds the quality and regulatory requirements of world markets. “There is growing interest and excitement about the potential of astaxanthin –  the world’s most potent antioxidant with clinical trial data indicating support in areas such as eye health, neurological health, immune support, inflammation reduction and skin health. Recently, the demand for a high quality, pesticide-free source of the product has outstripped supply. The Strategic Alliance that we have formed with Cyanotech Corporation and our move to increase extraction capacity will help meet market requirements for this growing demand,” he said. “Valensa has provided extraction services to Cyanotech for some time now and we were impressed by their biomass purity and pesticide-free profile,” he said.  “Our company has previously qualified a number of astaxanthin biomass sources, but product purity and overall product integrity led us to choose Cyanotech as our principal algae biomass supplier.”  Valensa’s ZANTHIN natural astaxanthin product has been marketed in the United States for over a decade and was the first astaxanthin extract to have Novel Foods approval in the European Union in July 2004.   “These approvals require a pesticide-free, solvent-free and allergen-free astaxanthin. By qualifying our suppliers and screening our raw materials, through the use of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology and through our superior quality management, we are uniquely postioned to deliver the astaxanthin products required by world markets,” said Dr. Moerck.
 
Valensa operates a world-class ultra-high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide extraction facility in Florida, USA and markets its ZANTHIN brand of natural astaxanthin globally as oleoresin and 2.5% beadlets.  Incoming biomass quality control by Valensa and state-of-the art laboratory testing assure that the natural astaxanthin extract produced meets or exceeds quality, purity and allergen standards worldwide.  Valensa formulates astaxanthin into a broad spectrum of nutraceuticals and supplements, including a patented eye care product. Valensa also formulates natural astaxanthin into a number of other products such as AstaCran and Z-Omega Fish Oil Analogue.   Given that astaxanthin is one of the most potent carotenoid based antioxidants it can be an effective component of Valensa’s proprietary O2B Peroxidation Blocking Technology.