AstaReal Technologies, Inc. opened a new production facility in Washington that is expected to begin production of natural astaxanthin by July.

The 59,000-square-foot facility, located in Moses Lake, WA, is expected to employ about 45 people and will more than triple AstraReal Group’s total production capacity.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by about 200 people, including Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, members of the state legislature, the director of the Department of Commerce, and officials and community leaders from Grant County and the City of Moses Lake.

The AstaReal Group has been producing natural astaxanthin in Gustavsberg, Sweden and the Washington factory is needed to meet an increase in global demand. The increased capacity will allow AstaReal to offer a stable supply of natural astaxanthin to its customers in the United States and around the world. The factory site in Moses Lake has ample space for further expansion.

“AstaReal is honored to be a community member of Moses Lake, Grant County and Washington State, and expects the community will experience significant growth and development, which it hopes to contribute to,” said Mitsunori Nishida, president and CEO of Fuji Chemical Industry, AstaReal’s parent company.

For more information, visit www.astareal.com.