Growing demand spurs new capacity for spirulina. (Pharma & Fine Chemicals)

Chemical Market Reporter, December, 1996 by Lerner, Matthew

RESPONDING TO growing demand, US producers are increasing capacity for spirulina, a species of blue-green microalgae cultured commercially in vast aquacenters. Meanwhile, several new, smaller producers have been coming on line throughout India and Asia. Although the biologically produced "phytonutrient" has been on nutritional supplement shelves for more than a decade, recent interest quickly overtook producers' ability to supply consumers.

At the same time, suppliers are also feeling the pull of emerging applications in the animal feed industry. Now, two major producers, Cyanotech of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and Earthrise Farms, located outside Palm Springs in the California Desert, are taking steps to bring more material to market. "Demand has...

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