GNT Group strengthens number one position in spirulina production

Market leader and pioneer doubles capacities for blue and green Colouring Foods

21-Jun-2016 - Netherlands

The global market for food colouring is experiencing a strong rise in the demand for spirulina-based Colouring Foods. As pioneer and market leader in using the algae as natural ingredient for colour solutions, the GNT Group is excellently positioned to serve its clients’ needs today and in the future: currently, the family-based company produces enough spirulina to colour more than one billion portions of food per year. Thinking ahead of further growth, it has recently started the construction of an additional spirulina plant at its headquarters in Mierlo, the Netherlands, which will more than double GNT’s capacities for blue and green Colouring Foods.

The increasing scepticism of consumers towards additive colourants and the quickly developing application possibilities of spirulina are fuelling the demand all around the world. “More and more major food and beverage companies are announcing the replacement of artificial colours. Being the only natural alternative to artificial dyes such as patent blue V (E 131) or brilliant blue FCF (E 133), the alga plays a highly important role in natural colour solutions”, says Dr. Hendrik Hoeck, Managing Director of the GNT Group. “Anticipating this role, GNT was the first to develop Colouring Foods from spirulina more than 20 years ago. That is why we can now offer an ample supply for current market needs and have the required processing technology and unique expertise to provide high-quality products and tailor-made application support.”

Constructed in accordance with state-of-the-art knowledge and methods, the new spirulina plant will further improve GNT’s production and make processing even more efficient. Excellent cost effectiveness is guaranteed by high automation and low energy consumption of the factory. “With the new plant, we are completely fit for the future. It will further expand and strengthen our position as clear market leader in the production of spirulina-based colour solutions”, says Hoeck. Operations will commence in August 2017.

The GNT Group offers a full line of stable and high-performing blues and greens for nearly all applications. It is the only company with its own production of spirulina, being completely integrated from the cultivation of the raw material to processing and the final application. To ensure best quality and constant availability, the company’s own biologists continuously monitor the production and supply. Like all of GNT’s Colouring Foods, the spirulina-based solutions are concentrates manufactured exclusively with physical methods and water. No organic solvents, chemicals or other artificial additives are applied. Like this, they are ideal for clean label products.