In a press release, the company announced that NatAxtin will be distributed in three forms: biomass, oleoresin oil, and powder for use in food.
The company has manufactured natural astaxanthin derived from the algae Haemotococcus pluvialis since 2003 with primary markets in Europe, India, and Japan.
“Today's announcement expands distribution of the branded ingredient to North America and underscores Atacama Bio's commitment to be a global supplier of natural astaxanthin,” the company said in a press release.
José Luis Arenas, founder and CEO of Atacama Bio said that the ingredient is a perfect fit for the North American market, where consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality, origin, and process of the ingredients used in their ingestible products.
"NatAxtin is produced to the highest quality standards utilizing the lowest energy process in a way that resembles nature. Atacama Bio's commitment to both quality and ecology is unsurpassed. The people of Chile and Atacama Bio have proudly served this important ingredient to many people and now to the North American market,” he said.
The company is named after the Atacama desert, noted as the driest desert in the world, providing the perfect conditions to grow the astaxanthin-rich algae. The facility is located in the Andes mountains at an altitude of over 3,500 feet. Water flowing directly from the Andes Mountains is used to manufacture the company's astaxanthin.
“Our premium location allows us to have a process that closely resembles the way that nature intended for Haematococcus pluvialis to grow, a biomimicry concept,” according to J. Tomás Arenas, VP of global marketing at the company.
In a previous interview with NutraIngredients-LATAM, Arenas said that astaxanthin is relatively unknown in Latin America.
“In the US, people take supplements. It’s cultural,” he said. “However, in Chile, people are seen as taking supplements because you’re sick and not because you’re healthy.”
