Global demand for algae in the food and beverage sector is on the rise, particularly for seaweeds such as nori and kelp; hydrocolloids, which serve as thickeners like agar and carrageenan; and for their alleged nutritional benefits in products like iron supplements containing ferrous fumarate and as functional food ingredients. There is growing interest in algae as a sustainable protein source and a vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. TerraVia, previously known as Solazyme, has only recently shifted its focus to specialty food, feed, and personal care ingredients after initially exploring microalgae as a fuel source. The company learned the hard way that profit margins in fuel were too low, leading to multiple strategic pivots before it spun off its industrial division last year and positioned itself in the high-value specialty ingredients market. Currently, TerraVia supplies its products to companies such as Hormel Food Corporation, Utz Quality Foods Inc., and Unilever.
However, its efforts to refocus may have come too late, as the company has faced a series of challenges, including a recall last year of ingredients supplied to Soylent after customers reported digestive distress from its Food Bar product. Soylent suspected that TerraVia’s algal flour was the cause, although TerraVia claimed that this was a hasty assertion. Nonetheless, there are some positive developments, such as its joint venture with Bunge Oils, where revenue surged 163% to $2.9 million from $1.1 million in the same period the previous year. This venture specializes in DHA-rich algae oil for fish feed. The Motley Fool notes that finding a buyer willing to purchase the company outright may be difficult due to its negative equity. Selling parts of the company, such as its culinary oil brand or aquaculture portfolio, might be a more feasible option, potentially allowing the technology platform to continue, although analysts believe the chances of this happening are slim. TerraVia is still operational, but its future remains uncertain.
In this evolving landscape, products like Amazon Citracal Slow Release 1200 could play a crucial role in meeting the nutritional needs of consumers looking for supplements that complement functional food ingredients derived from algae. The integration of algae into dietary supplements, including those containing iron, is an area of interest that aligns with the growing trend toward plant-based nutrition. The potential for algae to serve not only as a source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids but also as a means to enhance dietary supplements like Amazon Citracal Slow Release 1200 speaks to its versatility and the increasing demand for innovative food solutions.