AXF Natural is building a production facility in the Canary Islands, Spain, to produce Haematococcus pluvialis biomass containing 5% natural astaxanthin for aquafeed. Our goal is competitive pricing and superior performance, with the first commercial-scale production planned for January 1, 2028.
Why Use Natural Astaxanthin in Aquafeed
And Why Choose AXF Natural?
Microalgae are the original source of astaxanthin in the food chain. Adding our product to your aquafeed enhances its natural positioning and helps your aquaculture customers offer fish raised with a natural alternative to synthetic astaxanthin.
Natural astaxanthin predominantly contains the 3S,3′S stereoisomer and has greater antioxidant activity than synthetic alternatives. This may support fish health and reduce the need for antibiotics, while providing consumers with a naturally sourced ingredient. Natural astaxanthin is also largely esterified, which improves its inherent stability; synthetic astaxanthin typically requires a protective formulation.
Unlike synthetic astaxanthin and astaxanthin from yeast, which must be dispersed in oil and subsequently coated onto feed, our biomass can be mixed directly into the feed before extrusion. EU: Listed as a feed material in the Catalogue of Feed Materials (Regulation (EU) No 68/2013, Part C, 7.1.1, “Algae”).
US: The FDA lists Haematococcus algae meal (dried algal biomass) as a color additive exempt from certification under 21 CFR § 73.185.
AXF’s production facility builds on four years of research and development focused on reducing production costs. This enables us to offer natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis at a price that is competitive with synthetic and other natural alternatives.
Microalgae are the original source of astaxanthin in the food chain. Adding our product to your aquafeed enhances its natural positioning and helps your aquaculture customers offer fish raised with a natural alternative to synthetic astaxanthin.
Natural astaxanthin predominantly contains the 3S,3′S stereoisomer and has greater antioxidant activity than synthetic alternatives. This may support fish health and reduce the need for antibiotics, while providing consumers with a naturally sourced ingredient. Natural astaxanthin is also largely esterified, which improves its inherent stability; synthetic astaxanthin typically requires a protective formulation.
Unlike synthetic astaxanthin and astaxanthin from yeast, which must be dispersed in oil and subsequently coated onto feed, our biomass can be mixed directly into the feed before extrusion. EU: Listed as a feed material in the Catalogue of Feed Materials (Regulation (EU) No 68/2013, Part C, 7.1.1, “Algae”).
US: The FDA lists Haematococcus algae meal (dried algal biomass) as a color additive exempt from certification under 21 CFR § 73.185.
AXF’s production facility builds on four years of research and development focused on reducing production costs. This enables us to offer natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis at a price that is competitive with synthetic and other natural alternatives.
Our Production Facility
Located in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
1
Planned 15-hectare site with a fully closed photobioreactor design
2
More than 500,000 kg of dried biomass with 5% astaxanthin content per year
3
Controlled inputs, a low risk of contamination and consistent year-round output
Specifications
OUR MAIN PRODUCT- Haematococcus pluvialis cultivated in a closed system under standardized conditions to ensure a consistent product profile
- Biomass harvested at 5% astaxanthin content
- Finely milled and spray-dried for maximum bioavailability
- Packed under nitrogen in multilayer aluminum bags that protect against light, air and moisture
Astaxanthin Oleoresin
DOWNSTREAM PROCESSINGFor post-extrusion coating of aquafeed pellets, as with synthetic astaxanthin, our biomass can be processed into astaxanthin oleoresin.
- Standardized to 10% astaxanthin
- Extracted using supercritical CO2
- Formulated with high-quality sunflower oil or fish oil
