BGG, a leading producer of natural ingredients, has announced a significant expansion of its astaxanthin manufacturing facilities in China's Yunnan Province. The expansion, set to be inaugurated on June 20, 2025, will consolidate the entire production value chain within a 20-kilometer area, dramatically reducing the previous 2,000-kilometer spread.
The expanded facility features the world's largest 100% glass-tube photobioreactor microalgae platform, which will now integrate farming, extraction, drying, and packaging operations in close proximity. This consolidation is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and significantly decrease the company's carbon footprint.
Enhanced Research Capabilities
In addition to the manufacturing expansion, BGG is establishing a new cutting-edge research laboratory and more than doubling its on-site R&D team. The enhanced research division will focus on advancing microalgae innovation and improving ingredient quality.
"We are proud to unveil our latest investment in our state-of-the-art microalgae platform, spanning the entire value chain," stated Chunhua Li, founder and principal shareholder of BGG. "The enhanced synergy between manufacture and R&D will sharpen our innovation pipeline and accelerate speed to market."
The expanded research team will also collaborate with regional and global research institutes to study tropical plants and fungi in the local biome, potentially leading to new natural ingredient discoveries.
Building on Previous Growth
This expansion builds upon BGG's previous growth initiatives in 2023 and 2024, which more than doubled the company's production capacity and solidified its position as the world's largest astaxanthin producer.
"We are committed to staying ahead of global shifts to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers," said Jürgen Nelis, BGG World CEO. "By strengthening our supply chain on multiple fronts, we are building a future-ready business that can thrive no matter how the trade landscape evolves."
AstaZine and Other Natural Products
BGG's natural astaxanthin product line, marketed under the brand name AstaZine, is produced from Certified Organic Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. The company promotes astaxanthin for its antioxidant and antifatigue properties, as well as its benefits for skin, eye, and brain health.
Beyond astaxanthin, BGG's portfolio includes several other natural ingredients, such as ApplePhenon (apple polyphenols), CyaniMax (cyanidin 3 glucoside), FucoMa (fucoidan), and LingonMax (lingonberry extract).
Industry Presence
The company will be showcasing its expanded capabilities and discussing the facility investment at Vitafoods Europe, taking place May 20-22 in Barcelona, Spain. BGG representatives will be available at Stand 4D236 to discuss their product portfolio and address questions about global trade considerations, including tariffs.
The inauguration ceremony on June 20 will include industry partners and representatives from the Chinese government, highlighting the significance of this investment for both the company and the region.
