Attractive Algae Non-Fuels Products and Business Opportunities
Algae are one of the most useful organisms being used in diverse industries and applications. More than 15,000 individual compounds have been identified in microalgae which are believed to be responsible for producing numerous useful products. Several high-value microalgae products are already well established in the market place and there are clear opportunities for additional new products.
Pharmaceuticals are the fastest growing section of the market, but as of now there are only two omega-3 based pharmaceutical products which could account for US $1.5billion in sales. The global market for EPA and DHA exceeded 85,000 t in 2009 and is estimated to grow to 135,000-190,000 by 2015.
Some of the top companies like Asta Real and Fuji Health have doubled its production capacity recently owing to the increasing demand of astaxanthin.
Lutein, a carotenoid extracted from algae, is capable of preventing the onset of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The global market value of lutein was around $233 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $309 million by 2018.
Algae are also widely used in the production of enzymes and toxins which, in general, have a product values in the range of US $4000-8000/kg. Algae are also used in cosmetics industry as thickening agents, water-binding agents and antioxidants.
Algae based added value commodities such as lactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates and butanol price ranges from US $1300 to US $7000/tonne.
Learn more on the business opportunities in algae non-fuel products from Comprehensive Report on Attractive Algae Product Opportunities
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