The GNT Group, a market leader in using algae as natural ingredients for color, has begun construction of an additional spirulina plant at its headquarters in Mierlo, the Netherlands. The new facility will more than double GNT’s capacity for blue and green food colorants. Currently, the family-based company produces enough spirulina to color more than one billion portions of food per year.

The increasing distrust of consumers towards additive colorants and the quickly developing application possibilities of spirulina are fueling international demand. “More and more major food and beverage companies are announcing the replacement of artificial colors,” said Dr. Hendrik Hoeck, Managing Director of the GNT Group.

“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 color solutions,” he said. “Anticipating this role, GNT was the first to develop Colouring Foods from spirulina more than 20 years ago.”

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, making them ideal for clean label products.

The GNT Group is completely integrated, from the cultivation of the raw material to processing and the final application. The company’s biologists continuously monitor the production and supply to ensure best quality and constant availability.

Operations at the new facility are scheduled to begin in August of 2017.