A Bangkok-based algae company has announced it will be expanding Spirulina production both in Thailand and internationally. EnerGaia’s company statement said this is in order to support the less-fortunate local communities by creating access to Spirulina and earn their income by producing and exporting the algal ingredient.
The Bangkok Post revealed that the company has just recently raised US$3.65 million in Series A funding. This money will be put toward expanding production of the high-protein, mineral-rich algae used to boost the nutritional value of food or taken in supplements.
The hope of EnerGaia is to increase its production from the three tonnes produced in 2018, to over 20 tonnes.
The publication claims that the country is the perfect place to grow Spirulina, as it provides the perfect temperature for the plant, between 30°C (86°F ) and 35°C (95°F). It also said that the logic behind the move was the company’s belief that there will be a resource scarcity in the future, in which alternative protein sources to meat and nuts will be needed, due to water scarcity. Despite its habitat, Spirulina actually needs a fraction of the water needed by these other sources, and The Bangkok Post says that the Thai company is conducting in-house research to make the growing process even more sustainable.
EnerGaia also has a facility in Phuket and a research and production plant at the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathum Thani.
Around the world
Across the globe, Spirulina is being increasingly farmed.
New Zealand began its first production of the algae in Manawatū village called Tahi Spirulina. The cyanobacteria are normally farmed in hot and dry conditions, so its’ success in this milder climate it a nice surprise.
In the last few years, the Olivier Group has started producing the blue-green algae in the Nantes region of France. The company is now working with regional food producers to develop products based on the ingredient.