AstaReal AB is a global pioneer and expert in microalgae cultivationHaematococcus pluvialis , production of products with natural astaxanthin, related R&D and clinical studies. AstaReal AB has its roots in research and development. The company was formed as a spin-off from a research group at Uppsala University in Sweden – one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Inspired by the important role of astaxanthin in nature and the animal kingdom, the research group focused on studying astaxanthin as an active substance for human use and exploring the possibilities of scaling up astaxanthin production for dietary supplement manufacturing. In 1995, AstaReal AB launched the world's first dietary supplement with natural astaxanthin.
The microalgae are grown indoors under controlled conditions in photobioreactors where light and nutrients are optimized. The algae cultures are harvested when they have reached optimal mass and astaxanthin concentration. The astaxanthin-rich algae paste is then crushed, pasteurized and spray-dried into a fine powder. The powder can be used in dietary supplements or further processed into other bulk products. Quality is one of the cornerstones of AstaReal AB, and the company is certified for ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000.