STORY.4

In 2012, after a long period of trial and error searching for the best production method, we determined the ideal method for stably producing high quality astaxanthin to be AstaReal’s own proprietary indoor bioreactor method. With this conclusion, we set about building up our production capability in accordance with the predicted demand at our factory in Sweden, which was the only facility using the indoor bioreactor method. In 2012 alone we expanded our capability two separate times. However, perhaps because we had tried to increase production scale so dramatically in such a short period of time, our actual produced quantities didn’t increase as much as had expected. On top of that, from 2012 to 2013, demand suddenly increased far beyond what we had predicted. Desperate to get production on track as soon as possible, we dispatched numerous staff from our Japan HQ to Sweden to see what could be done on site. Additionally, in order to ride out this imbalance between supply and demand, we had days of meetings to figure out just how we could distribute and sell a limited supply of astaxanthin resources in such a way that the effect on consumers could be kept to a minimum. Looking back on it now, that time was probably the greatest test that AstaReal has faced. Ultimately this difficult period, where we were unable to adequately meet the healthy demand in the marketplace, lasted for 2 and a half years until production began at our new factory in Washington State, the U.S. in 2014.

Now maintaining a stable supply is one of our utmost priorities at AstaReal. In the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia, the demand for high quality natural astaxanthin continues to expand, and there is no sign of it stopping. So that as many people as possible can make use of astaxanthin, we will continue to learn from our experiences and to do everything possible to ensure stable supply.