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Gone from the company, gone from the website. Does it matter? It's not about algae anymore IMO. The only other question is ; was it ever about algae or was it always about spinning a story and reeling in easy money? JMO
Continued Transparency. Thank goodness for that, I was beginning to think that they might be planning to do something less than transparent. What a relief. Phew
It's really easy to have secret talks with yourself. Don't you think that there is one puppeteer behind the scenes running both companies? I do. JMO. Coincidence that the puppets in both companies just happen to have the same last names?
The fleece has already happened surely - how much lower can it go? IMO this Friday upbeat interview and then 2 weeks after that 1/2 billion more A/S
Keep it in the family
What a transition for BNPD, selling telephone calling cards, 5000:1 R/S, from nowhere becomes a sports drink company with no revenues and Daniel J Kennedy as President, to buying a algae company that hasn't produced any algae yet. Maybe someone should buy the movie rights? JMO
Customers can cancel too of course? IMO
The pic shows a low concentration algae culture that's all. Maybe it is a strain that contains EPA - but you don't have omega-3 oil until the algae is harvested, dried and extracted (and the oil analyzed). Has that all been done? Maybe you have some insider info?
Yes we remember the interview. Where he stated the O/S was 1.1 billion (it was actually 1.28 billion), and that the remaining shares were reserved for employees and there would be no further dilution (2 weeks later an additional 1/2 billion shares were authorized).
But more recently they have PR'ed that the 1/2 acre in DVJ was going to be devoted to Haematococcus (astaxanthin) for BNPD in an exclusive multi-million dollar deal. So where are they going to grow the omega-3 strain? And where are they going to extract it? I thought maybe they dropped omega-3 (nothing PR'ed in weeks after a year of weekly updates) because of increasing competition in that small space. Here is another company announcing big capacity: (all IMO of course - just trying to guess because the PR's can be confusing). If BEHL's pricing per gallon is right this companies 400t plant could generate about $200 million per year in revenues.
"Major manufacturers are looking into using Eau Plus's algae-derived omega-3 in their products, according to the London-based company.
'Lots of firms are showing interest, especially bakery and dairy firms and, now, the drinks sector,' said chief executive Tom Brudenell-Bruce. 'We've had samples requested by five of the largest drinks companies in the world.'
Firms were looking at alternatives to fish and plant seed oil because of concerns about their sustainability and high fat content. 'You have saturated fat in fish- and plant-derived omega-3 in high levels. [Omega-3 from fish oils] is becoming more expensive as fish stocks get depleted. We are negotiating with food companies around the world for inclusion in a number of products.'
Eau Plus can produce 400t of omega-3 VPURE and Omega H2O algae oils annually and aims to increase production to 1,000t.
The fish-derived omega-3 market was moving to higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid, seen in cold water fish, said Brudenell-Bruce. That was because warm water fish stocks were shrinking."
I guess the corrected DD you are talking about is that BEHL stated in a PR that they are growing the inoculum for DVJ in Santa Ana right? They also said that the last algae they grew was for inoculum in DVJ too but that appears not to have been the case IMO (where is it? Plus IMO the omega-3 "$6 million deal" has vanished from all PR's and the 1/2 acre is now for astaxanthin). Also in a PR they stated that they have to build a lab to extract the astaxanthin which will cost mega $$$$ and take much time. So even if or when they get red algae there are still technical, regulatory and $$$$ hurdles to cross before you can expect the first buck in revenues. All IMO of course
Yes indeed. And after all this effort there will be HALF an acre in DVJ, so if we are to believe that PR there will be $500 per day of revenue - and 2 billion shares - ummmmmm. Doesn't sound like much does it? IMO
Could be. You just never know though. The last half billion shares lasted from mid-June to mid-August and the stock price has dropped since then. So this half billion will last from mid-August until ????? JMO
That PBR looks really ugly.
Maybe I agree with you, but it really depends on the situation. Many posters here praise BEHL for transparency - but here again we have an example of the very opposite IMO.
A few months ago BNPD was selling phone calling cards, had a 5000:1 R/S in April and within 3 months tumbled back to under a penny. Was Kennedy CEO and President then? Or was Kennedy brought in by BEHL solely for the apparent "multi-million dollar deal"? (I say apparent because neither company has any $$$$). If Kennedy just happened to be running a successful beverage company looking for the right source of algae products then I agree with you, if on the other hand the comapny was essentially created for the deal then I am not so sure. JMO
I wonder why they didn't mention that Daniel Kennedy was the husband of Dennis's marketing assistant?
BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BEHL) President Monique Berry today provides details on the multi-million dollar contract:
Yesterday, a multi-million dollar contract was signed between Daniel Kennedy, CEO and President of Biocen Natural Development Group (Pink Sheets:BNPD), a Nevada health drink company, and BEHL President, Monique Berry. The Nevada company, BNPD, is a public company consisting of a board of directors, a sales and marketing team and distribution outlets.
Apparently Unilever have made their big bet on algae oils via fermentation (in the dark). Are you challenging their judgement?
For food and beverage products the way to commercialization with algae is to grow them in the dark, using sterile stainless steel fermenters. Solazyme have a real "multi-million deal" with Unilever. Unilever owns more than 400 brands as a result of acquisitions, however, the company focuses on what are called the "billion-dollar brands", 13 brands, each of which achieve annual sales in excess of €1 billion. The brands fall almost entirely into two categories: Food and Beverages, and Home and Personal Care.
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2010/09/08/unilever-invests-in-solazyme-search-for-palm-oil-substitute-expands-algaes-universe/
"Something" is brewing?! Could it be the same Daniel J. Kennedy, President and CEO of BNPD and husband of DF's marketing assistant? Coincidence?
But for an acquisition where would the money come from? either way?
Here is a picture of Marla Kennedy (remarkably similar to Marla Kennedy on the BEHL website you have to admit - must be the same person) and her husband Daniel J. Kennedy. Hmmmm. Small World. IMO
Did anyone see Daniel J at the Open House? Was he there? Same guy or not?
http://www.oopsmat.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=0&zenid=272d6ac32cafd0b3f1532a62d2cfd4bd
DANIEL J KENNEDY
OOPS MAT LLC
989 415-2686
Email OOPS MAT LLC
How can it be a large acquisition? No $$$$$$ JMO
Strategic alliance between the 2 major domestic producers of astaxanthin.
Both shiney and both low cost. Their production facilities are already in place and depreciated. Their scale is >100x larger (Cyanotech have 90 acres). Cyanotech is open ponds, Valensa is a closed system. Both are FDA approved. Hmmmmmmm.
Orlando, Fla., Feb. 14 - Valensa International announced today that it has increased its capacity for the extraction of Haematococcuspluvialis for the manufacture of finished all-natural astaxanthin.
14/02/2008
The move was made in light of recently growing demand for a high-quality astaxanthin in North America, Asia and Europe that is both pesticide-free and allergen-free -two conditions that are only possible with select raw material sources and extraction facilities.
In addition to market demand, a recently formed Strategic Alliance with Cyanotech Corporation (Kona, HI), where Valensa provides extraction services of raw material provided by Cyanotech, willrequire increased capacity to facilitate orderly growth of supply for themarket and increased uptake of Valensa's own ZANTHIN(R) natural astaxanthin brand.
The capacity expansion will be approximately 20% and will be achieved primarily through manufacturing efficiencies and de-bottlenecking its facilities in Eustis, Florida, USA. The expansion will include new facilities for screening biomass against the presence of pesticides. Astaxanthin products extracted at Valensa's Eustis facility will be certified pesticide- andallergen-free.
According to Dr. Rudi Moerck, President of Valensa, high-quality astaxanthin biomass and strict quality control in manufacturing are the twokey elements for creating a finished astaxanthin product that meets or exceeds the quality and regulatory requirements of world markets.
"There is growing interest and excitement about the potential of astaxanthin - the world's most potent antioxidant with clinical trial data indicating support in areas suchas eye health, neurological health, immune support, inflammation reduction andskin health. Recently, the demand for a high-quality, pesticide-free source ofthe product has outstripped supply. The Strategic Alliance that we have formedwith Cyanotech Corporation and our move to increase extraction capacity willhelp meet market requirements for this growing demand," he said.
"Valensa hasprovided extraction services to Cyanotech for some time now and we wereimpressed by their biomass purity and pesticide-free profile," he said.
"Ourcompany has previously qualified a number of astaxanthin biomass sources, butproduct purity and overall product integrity led us to choose Cyanotech as ourprincipal algae biomass supplier." Valensa's ZANTHIN(R) natural astaxanthin product has been marketed in the United States for over a decade and was thefirst astaxanthin extract to have Novel Foods approval in the European Unionin July 2004.
"These approvals require a pesticide-free, solvent-free and allergen-free astaxanthin. By qualifying our suppliers and screening our rawmaterials, through the use of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology and through our superior quality management, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the astaxanthin products required by world markets,"said Dr. Moerck.
The latest news from 8/30:
8nt2brite: In fact energy was the primary objective of BEHL for about a year with regular PR's and deals that never materialized. I have listed a few below - interesting and quite amusing reading, some of them are less than a year old. So when you started investing in Biocentric it was an energy company. Then it disappeared with no explanation and no revenues to be followed by a year of omega-3 which now seems to have disappeared without explanation or any results IMO. Now perhaps the astaxanthin year?
Management of BioCentric Energy (BEHL) Define the Next Three Years for BioCentric Energy, a Green Energy Solutions Provider
10/15/2008
BioCentric Energy's (PINKSHEETS: BEHL) Management, in a meeting today with all subsidiaries and division personnel, defined the five implementing projects for the next three years to interface for optimum productivity.
Specifically these are the Division Projects of BioCentric Energy with objectives...
1. Lake Elsinore, California -- a 100+ year old company that has the distinction of one of the top users of natural gas in California -- in a Joint Venture with Southern Pacific Energy we will deliver CO2 reduction and profitable Algae growth for production of oil to biodiesel, and gasifying the residue to biogas to produce electricity.
2. Wuhan, China -- Coal fired Steel facility emitting 40,000 tons of CO2 per year -- in a Joint Venture with Zenxin we will deliver an algae solution to reduce CO2 emissions and generate our profitable algae solution for production of oil to biodiesel, and gasifying the residue to biogas to produce electricity.
3. Orange County, Texas -- 54 acres owned by our Joint Venture Partners PEI who purchased a prior Exxon refinery for our three phase project.
a) Phase One -- utilizing the refinery assets on the ground to purify offspec products for local chemical facilities.
b) Phase Two -- The installation of our unique solution for Used Tires to deliver #4 heating oil, stainless steel, carbon black, and syngas for energy needs replacement for the onsite refinery.
c) Phase Three -- The installation of our second unique solution of Chinese Tallow and green wastes to generate a non food source biodiesel feedstock, green charcoal for power generation, and biogas for electrical generation.
4. BioCentric Consortium -- Facilitating the sale and delivery of Organic Oils for Biodiesel Production and EN/ASTM Spec Biodiesel.
5. Organizing and Facilitating Farmer Co-op in Peru to place BioCentric Energy Inc. as Mandate to facilitate the planting, harvesting, sale, and delivery of organic biodiesel feedstock.
Dennis Fisher, CEO and President for BioCentric Energy Inc., stated today, "Each Division Director is required to be well versed with the other division's progress to utilize and integrate that knowledge to expedite their timelines. The entire team shares the vision of BioCentric Energy and understands the ramifications of success. Our passion to create a lasting footprint for our children's future is the power behind our devotion."
About BioCentric Energy Incorporated:
BioCentric Energy, Inc. is primarily a research & development company, whose principals are involved in seeking innovative green energy solutions for the 21st Century. Our mission is to increase the company's value through the discovery, development, and implementation of renewable energy projects. BioCentric Energy, Inc. is dedicated to the development of new technologies as well as acquiring and fostering companies with innovative technologies designed to provide unique and effective green energy solutions for the 21st century. Along with the cultivation of important relationships and partnerships with synergistic entities, BioCentric Energy has devoted substantial time and effort in research and development in order to bring a range of innovative green energy alternatives to the marketplace.
BEHL -- BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. -- One of the Largest Poultry Companies in USA Requested Algae Samples From BioCentric
01/22/2009
BioCentric Energy Algae, wholly owned subsidiary of BioCentric Energy Holdings Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BEHL), has received a request from one of the largest poultry companies in the USA to provide them with samples of our algae for testing for possible utilization of high-grade feedstock with Omega 3.
Dennis Fisher, Board Member and President for BioCentric Energy Inc. (BEHL), stated today, "We are pleased to provide this multi-billion dollar company our algae as this will independently verify what I have stated all along... in today's market, the algae grown in our closed loop photobioreactors has a greater value as a high grade feedstock, rich in Omega 3, than as the premier building block for biodiesel. We can get almost three times payment for quality Omega 3 feedstock as we can for biodiesel feedstock." Mr. Fisher went on to say, "And, I believe Our Algae Solution is also one of the answers to reduce CO2 emissions profitably."
The Team of BioCentric Energy Algae deliver cost effective photobioreactor systems that take the emissions from smoke stacks, and in a closed loop environment, grow algae for production and harvest profitably.
BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. is dedicated to the development of new technologies as well as acquiring and fostering companies with innovative technologies designed to provide unique and effective green energy solutions for the 21st century. Along with the cultivation of important relationships and partnerships with synergistic entities, BioCentric Energy has devoted substantial time and effort in research and development in order to bring a range of innovative green alternatives to the marketplace.
BioCentric Energy to License Nevada Construction Company for Development of Multiple Acre Bio-Diesel & Livestock Feed Algae Farm
08/05/2009
BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BEHL) today announced the company has agreed to license a large Nevada Corporation a manufacturing license to build a multiple acre ALGAE farm in Nevada using the company's closed loop photobioreactor systems for the production of Bio-Diesel fuels for the company's fleet of commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and construction rental equipment.
A BioCentric Energy spokesperson commented, "This ALGAE farm will be the company's first multiple acre closed loop Photobioreactor system, dedicated specifically to the production of Bio-Diesel fuels. This is a huge advancement for BioCentric energy. The construction company who has asked for a non disclosure at this time operates and leases a large fleet of Diesel trucks and equipment in Nevada who are intent on converting their fleet to 'Green' running pollution free vehicles ahead of the 2010 emissions mandates for commercial diesel engines."
The design and planning process of the ALGAE farm is expected to begin this month, with preliminary plans to start construction of the first segment in October 2009. The completion of the entire ALGAE farm is anticipated to be by January 2010.
Part of the agreement also allows BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. to retain the 40% waste that can be used as livestock feed to create further revenue streams for the company.
BioCentric is excited and sees future possibilities of creating a hub for distribution of the Bio-Diesel in the Southwest U.S.
BioCentric Energy Develops Improved Processing Formula Accelerating Algae Growth
08/07/2009
BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BEHL) today announced the company has formulated an improved processing solution to significantly accelerate the ALGAE growth cycles.
BioCentric President Dennis Fisher today commented, "The improved processing formula we developed on site at our San Juan Capistrano, California facility significantly accelerated the ALGAE growth in the 1800 square feet closed loop photobioreactor system. This accelerated and improved nutrient formula will allow for more harvests of ALGAE in these systems thereby increasing production significantly for the final products, such as Bio-Diesel, Gasoline, Jet Fuels, Animal Feed and Nutritional supplement additives in all of our systems."
Mr. Fisher further commented, "Yesterday during the lab testing of the advanced ALGAE blend, a senior Korean representative was on site to examine and study our closed loop photobioreactor system in operation. The meeting went extremely well and discussions are currently in process for the use of the system in Korea."
Korea has a significant waste issue and many landfills which could ultimately provide some of the key components required for ALGAE growth in a closed loop photobioreactor system. The use in waste landfill applications is primarily to provide methane and anaerobic digesters for the supply of sufficient energy for the ALGAE to be self sustaining.
Company COO Dennis Shen will be returning to China next week to oversee manufacturing operations for use of the company's closed loop system in Asian countries.
The company recently purchased pressing equipment for production of ALGAE oil; the equipment is scheduled for installation early next week and upon completion the company will be processing and producing ALGAE oil for Bio-Diesel. The company plans to operate their own Bio-Diesel SUV vehicle this month which will run entirely on the Company's ALGAE oil products. This will allow further monitoring and emission lab testing from the company's corporate facility.
Clarification Statement: BioCentric Energy's Path to the Green Environment
10/01/2009
BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BEHL) today issued the following statement of clarification as to the company's path towards the Green Environment:
BioCentric energy founders Dennis Fisher and Dennis Ki Shen, decided almost 3 years ago to dedicate their time and resources to help the world find alternative solutions for alternative fuel, nutrients, nutracuetical supplements, and ultimately an alternative food source for the human race from a natural fungal source called ALGAE. At this point they decided to form a company called BioCentric Energy.
Most of the world's population considers ALGAE a fungus-type organism that grows on still pond water and unattended swimming pools that needs to dispose of such fungal species.
Along with a few other Bio-scientific teams, both Dennis Shen and Dennis Fisher realized the world's alternatives fuel and nutritional needs were actually at the world's fingertips through a naturally grown product called ALGAE.
Along with a small handful of other companies across the world, they realized that through the mass multiplication of natural ALGAE, the world had an "All Green" solution to the Alternative natural Fuel supply and a major source of nutrition at their fingertips disguised as ALGAE.
Working from a modest location in Huntington Beach, California, the team created a tabletop working version of their idealistic low cost closed loop photobioreactor system for the mass natural reproduction of ALGAE.
Less than a year later, the company had perfected a low cost way to reproduce high quality ALGAE for a multitude of alternative uses, including Bio-Diesel, as a major alternative fuel source with incredible reductions in emissions in the use of the final product. The natural by-product from the Bio-diesel ALGAE strain produces Bio-mass which itself is a major nutritional supplement for animal feeds of all types.
Currently, Biocentric has manufactured and perfected several cost effective closed loop photobioreactor systems at their San Juan Capistrano Corporate facility in southern California which have been incredibly successful in the natural mass reproduction of many strains of ALGAE for a multitude of final end uses ranging from alternative fuels, cosmetics supplements, nutrasutical, nutrient and even Omega-3 content. It seems this natural phenomenon is almost limitless in its naturally grown applications.
ALGAE research and development is now something all major oil companies are avidly pursuing in order to become part of the "Green" environment and produce energy efficient low emissions alternative fuels. Recently, Exxon announced a $600M infusion to their ALGAE R&D division for such a product.
Biocentric's mission is to continue to develop and make available to companies worldwide cost effective closed loop photobioreactor systems for the optimum environmental conditions to provide maximum efficiency in the mass reproduction of ALGAE to be able to produce a "Green" environmentally safer world for many products used daily by consumers and industries worldwide.
Biocentric currently has several contracts in place for the construction and development of ALGAE farms using their closed loop Photobioreactor systems. They are currently modifying their business plan to include Joint-Venture opportunities with prospective clients and VAR's (Value Added Resellers) worldwide.
Company President & CEO Dennis Fisher commented, "There are alternative fuel sources for the production of low emission alternative fuels such as Ethanol, which is produced from corn or vegetable oil. The problem is by using such raw materials as a source for alternative fuels, the availability of such raw materials available for food sources by the human race diminishes significantly in lieu of an alternative fuel supply. The use of ALGAE as the feedstock for ethanol plants, (with up to a 60% starch content) fulfills both requirements more than adequately to sustain human food supplies and alternative 'green' fuel products to name just two of many ultimate end products derived from ALGAE."
8nt2brite. Thanks for the balanced response, I can tell from your posts that you are a rational person, and not one of the crazies ot KoolAid swallowers here. Indeed what I posted was completely hypothetical and the "IBM not needing anymore" etc was just to make my hypothetical point in the few minutes you get before you must finish writing.
On BEHL though I just don't understand a lot of what is going on. At one point their "widget" was fuel, then it was PBR's, then it was omega-3's and now it's astaxanthin. It is difficult to know what is real and so you have to guess. The PR's have touted omega-3 for maybe a year and suddenly it drops off the radar without explanation. We are left to assume that the deal is off, or that BEHL cannot grow the algae, or cannot extract the oil or something - why not inform the shareholders "BEHL has decided not to pursue the production of omega-3 oil because XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX and instead to redouble resources on astaxanthin production because XXXX XXXXX"? THAT would be transparency and build trust - in the wake of inner Mongolia, South Carolina, North California, South America, China, Indian tribes etc. It would also be reassuring if they actually produced one of their projected products and had it certified IMO.
Also stating that the A/S will not be increased and it is repeatedly often less than a couple of weeks after stating that it won't be. And dealing exclusively with an unknown company id either a brilliant move - or really bad. And we the public are left to make that judgement. IMO
I thought BEHL was supposed to making and selling astaxanthin? If so shouldn't they also have these permits in order to sell? Or is it just another story like the year-long omega-3 story? IMO
Afraid of facing the truth?
Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq NMS:CYAN), the world leader in producing high-value, natural products from microalgae, today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of NatuRose® natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus algae as a color additive in the feed of salmon and trout to enhance the color of their flesh. This approval is in response to a color additive petition filed by Cyanotech.
Cyanotech produces NatuRose brand natural astaxanthin (pronounced asta-zan-thin) for use as a natural red pigment in the aquaculture industry to impart color to the flesh of pen-raised fish and shrimp. As a result of continued growth in the world aquaculture industry, the world market for astaxanthin is currently estimated to exceed $150 million per year. Cyanotech is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin from microalgae and has been selling NatuRose internationally since 1997. This approval will allow Cyanotech to sell NatuRose to US salmon and trout producers and to foreign producers whose products are destined for the US market.
"The FDA scrutinized the safety and efficacy of NatuRose and validated our quantitative methods of measuring the amount of astaxanthin present in the product, fish feed and fish flesh," said Dr. Todd Lorenz, Cyanotech's Scientific Director. "NatuRose is a cost-effective FDA-approved alternative to the synthetic products now used to pigment pen-raised salmon and trout."
Increasing world-wide demand for organically produced foods is fueling the development of alternative methods to grow salmon. NatuRose provides the salmon aquaculture industry with a natural alternative to synthetic coloration. In addition to allowing foreign and domestic organic salmon growers access to the large US market, FDA approval of NatuRose greatly enhances its credibility for use in salmon destined for foreign markets.
Cyanotech Corporation, the world's leader in microalgae technology, produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(TM) natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with expanding applications as a human nutraceutical; NatuRose® natural astaxanthin for the aquaculture and animal feed industry; Spirulina Pacifica®, a nutrient-rich dietary supplement; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent pigments used in the immunological diagnostics market. Corporate and product information is available at http://www.cyanotech.com
Fuji Chemical Industry has attained generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for its AstaREAL brand of astaxanthin for use as an ingredient in food and beverages.
It received the official no-objection letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 6 this year, accepting Fuji's GRAS notification which was filed with the FDA on July 7, 2009.
Prior to FDA notification a panel of experts convening in June 2009 independently determined that AstaREAL astaxanthin was GRAS.
AstaREAL astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family of natural pigments closely related to beta carotene, lycopene and lutein. It is a natural biological antioxidant found most abundantly in seafood that gives the pink and red color to salmon, shrimp and lobster.
However, animals as well as humans depend on their diet to obtain astaxanthin and other carotenoids since neither can produce it themselves.
AstaREAL astaxanthin has been marketed globally (including the US) for years as a dietary ingredient for use in supplements.
Now as the first and only astaxanthin to attain GRAS status, AstaREAL is also permitted to be marketed as an ingredient in food and beverages within the US.
Plenty of big, rich and established competitors in the global astaxanthin market - in case BEHL ever does manage to grow some haematococcus, build their extraction lab and get their product certified. Begs the question as why any reputable company would want to wait and make all that capital expense before launching their new product when they could just buy the stuff from any provider, domestic or overseas? Oh that's right - it's a little pinkie with no $$$$$. IMO
The carotenoid market will break the billion dollar barrier by 2009, carried by a rise in demand for natural colourings and their purported health properties.
But despite the boost, growth is not overwhelming, with a new report from BCC pitching the global market of all commercially used carotenoids to rise annually by 2.9 per cent for the next years, growing from $887 million (€722m) to $1 billion.
Widely used as food colourings, carotenoids are organic pigments naturally occurring in plants. Their colour, ranging from pale yellow, through bright orange, to deep red, is directly linked to their structure: the double carbon-carbon bonds interact with each other in a process called conjugation.
Most of the carotenoids on the market are currently produced by chemical synthesis and partly by extraction from plant material. Fermentation does not yet play a role, although this method is expected to play a more important role in the future.
But overall, the largest outlet will remain feed, mainly because of the outstanding importance of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. Supplement use will increase, while food applications will remain relatively small, claims the report.
One of the most well-known carotenoids is the one that gives this group its name, carotene, found in carrots and responsible for their bright orange colour.
A natural colourant used in a range of foods from ice cream to cheese, carotene, also a provitamin, is one of the two subgroups of the carotenoids. The other sub-group is xanthophylls.
For many years, beta-carotene has been used as a food colouring, but growing knowledge about the health promoting antioxidative properties of carotenoids is pushing growth and applications for a range of these colourants, from lycopene to astaxanthin.
Market researchers BCC pitched the beta-carotene market at $242 million in 2004, a rise of $30 million on 1999, and representing over a quarter of the entire carotenoid market.
Food, is still the most important outlet, where it is widely used as a colouring. But the supplement segment is coming up close behind. European players DSM and BASF dominate the market , but increasing competition from Asia is putting the pressure on prices.
According to BCC, DSM and BASF will remain the market leaders over the next five years. DSM with a global market share of 54 per cent for all carotenoids will dominate in 2009.
Astaxanthin, a carotenoid used to pigment salmon and trout, grabs second position in the carotenoid market, with a value of $234 million in 2004. The market has grown by less than $20 million over the past five years, mainly because of substantial competition, says BCC.
Canthaxanthin, traditionally used to give a red shade to egg yolks, is becoming popular for use in fish pigmentation, and has taken some of the traditional astaxanthin market away. Upcoming fermentation routes will put astaxanthin under further price competition, with the market value in 2009 estimated at $257 million.
BCC claims the fish pigment market could offset a diminishing market value in the traditional segment. The report places overall market value at $148 million in 2004. For 2009 a slight recovery to the old level of $156 million is seen, mainly because of strong volume growth and only a moderate price decrease.
But hooked up with eye-health benefits, the latest 'darling' of the carotenoids is lutein. Until the end of the 1990s, lutein was mainly used to colour egg yolks and partly for broiler skin.
After 2000 a new application developed in supplements when it was demonstrated that lutein could help to reduce age-related macular degeneration disease.
This new market pushed lutein's market value up to $139 million in 2004, compared to just $64 million in 1999. Strong growth is anticipated to continue, which BCC pitches annually at 6.1 per cent until 2009.
Red carotenoid lycopene also saw substantial growth in past years on the back of health benefits, while annatto and apo-carotenal products did not grow much in terms of market value. Zeaxanthin, acting synergistically with lutein, did see some major market growth, although starting from a very low level.
Europe still dominates the market, and tipped to continue in the near future, followed by North America.
Florida-based Valensa International has signed licensing agreements with three supplement makers for its patented eye health ingredient, astaxanthin.
Valensa’s deal comes at the same time it has joined with krill omega-3 specialist, Neptune Technologies and Bioressources to develop astaxanthin-omega-3 combinations.
But the ingredient suffered a blow in Europe last week when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an opinion stating astaxanthin-linked eye health benefits were not supported by the available science.
But this side of the pond, Valensa’s patent backs several eye health conditions.
Valensa says its patent-protected process (University of Illinois; US 5,527,533) can be used by New York-based FutureBiotics; North Dakota-based Swanson Health Products and Arizona-based Life Extension Vitamins in eye health supplements.
The patent is relevant for light-induced retinal damage, age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor cell retinal damage and damage to neurons of inner retinal layers and produces an ingredient with a four-year shelf life, Valensa said.
Along with lutein and zeaxanthin, astaxanthin has risen in the market due to research linking it with eye health.
Valensa president and chief executive officer, Dr Rudi E. Moerck, said it was gaining ground on the other two nutrients.
Four global leaders
Valensa is one of four major astaxanthin players – the others being Israel-based Algatechnologies, Hawaii-based Cyanotech and Japan’s Fuji Chemical Industry Company via its Scandiniavian subsidiary, Astareal.
Valensa said its primary market is Europe, where it claims to hold around 45 percent of the total astaxanthin market. In North America, the company said it holds around 35 percent market share. Dr Moerck said the Far East is also a growing market for Valensa, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, India and Korea.
The global astaxanthin market is estimated at about $252m, most of which is used in fish colouration. The human uses market is growing and estimated at about $27-$40m.
Most astaxanthin is derived from the algae, Haematococcus pluvialis, which is commonly consumed by fish and crustaceans – like salmon and lobster – and is responsible for their pink coloration.
Just wait. IMO your opportunities to do so will come again very shortly and the PnD cycle can continue. The inevitable further dilution to continue funding the building of showcase (sorry "commercial") PBR's and extraction laboratories and the endless stream of new opportunities spouted out in PR's will keep the stock bobbling up and down in the low sub-penny range for weeks to come IMHO. No-one seems to care that the exclusive customer is now another little pinkie from nowhere - perfect!
The money comes from shares don't forget.
But what will they be growing in it? They will have roughly 4 times the PBR area that they had in Santa Ana, no longer talk about omega-3 and the "$6 million contract" (or many many other things they PR'ed in the past). Instead they talk about Haematacoccus which they just inoculated into PBR2 for the first time apparently to grow inoculum for DVJ. I see no sign of red on the biocam do you? Then the astaxanthin has to be extracted in the lab that they are going to build with penniless BNPD in an exclusive deal. Don't get too excited about revenues just yet. IMO. There are two big domestic suppliers of astaxanthin already - with FDA approved products on the market for more than 10 years.
BioAstin Production and Purity
Cyanotech Corporation has been commercially producing microalgal products for over 21 years. During this time we have developed advanced technology which, combined with our location on the pristine Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, allows us to produce unialgal, contamination-free products.
Our most advanced technology is used for the production of BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin products from Haematococcus microalgae. The initial production of Haematococcus takes place in closed culture systems, some as large as 40,000 liters. This is followed by a short, 5 to 7 day, "reddening" cycle conducted in 500,000 liter open culture ponds. At each stage of BioAstin production, Haematococcus cultures are closely monitored by microscopic examination to ensure the cultures are pure and free from contaminating organisms. After the reddening cycle, Haematococcus cultures are harvested, washed and dried. The final step for the production of BioAstin is extraction of dried Haematococcus biomass using supercritical carbon dioxide to produce a purified oleoresin, absolutely free of any biological or environmental contamination. This supercritical extraction process is a critical step ensuring the proper potency, purity and quality of BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin.
There is a general misconception that closed culture production of microalgal products eliminates contamination from unwanted organisms. This is not true. Closed culture systems can and are contaminated by unwanted algae, fungi, and protozoa. When this does occur, elimination of the biological contamination in closed culture systems can be very difficult because of the high surface area and many "nooks and crannies" in such systems. Indeed, persistent contamination of closed culture systems has lead to serious problems for microalgae companies in California, Hawaii (not Cyanotech), and Europe. Cyanotech's closed culture systems, as well as its open pond systems, have been designed based on many years of experience to minimize problems and to ensure production of contamination-free microalgal products.
Cyanotech's natural astaxanthin production is registered as an ISO 9001-2000 Quality Management System, and holds a Food Establishment Permit from the State of Hawaii Department of Health for manufacturing and processing. We are also c-GMP and operate under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Each lot of BioAstin Nautural Astaxanthin goes through rigorous quality control to ensure the highest quality and purity. In addition to unsurpassed quality and purity, our many years of experience and proprietary technology allow us to produce far greater quantities of Natural Astaxanthin than our competitors, and we maintain a market share at over 95% of the animal nutrition market for algae-based Astaxanthin products.
http://www.cyanotech.com/bioastin/bioastin_quality.html
One example there are several more - just do your DD
The commercial producers have all the permits - just check their websites.
Should be no problem to get the proper permits then - right?
Drinking water is a very precious commodity, especially in CA, especially in the desert. Potentially polluting it, and exploiting without proper permits is totally irresponsible, if they have the permits then no-one - GFB nor BEHL - has anything to be concerned about. If they don't then GFB's actions are to be lauded in terms of environmental protection. IMO
But the company has gone completely silent on omega-3's and in all announcements we now hear only Astaxanthin for BNPD and a lab that they are going to build to extract (requires a lot of money and time). They are just about to start growing the strain for the first time in Santa Ana. So production has to be a long way off (first they have to learn how to grow, learn how to harvest, learn how to extract). They have an EXCLUSIVE arrangements with BNPD who are another pinkie start-up on 3 strains. Apparently the "$6 million" contract on omega-3 has gone, or they can't grow the strain (why else are they now silent on this and no longer talking about growing it in DVJ? - Transparency!). So what would the "indian tribes" want or be allowed to grow? Apparently Omega-3 has died and the other 3 strains they talk about are exclusively tied to pinkie #2. Presumably Kuenhle only want the plastic tubes and U-bends to grow their own algae. How much profit can there be for BEHL there? JMO
Again no mention of omega-3. Presumably omega-3 production hopes have disappeared then? And BEHL and BNPD have an "exclusive" deal for haematococcus, chlorella and spiulina.