WHAT WE DO · OUR PRODUCTION METHOD
Clear Sky Technology™️
The Atacama Desert offers the clearest, most intense sunlight on the planet. Clear Sky Technology™️ is the proprietary method we built — over 23 years of research so far — to turn that light into the most potent natural astaxanthin, sustainably and at scale.
THE PREMISE
Light is the active ingredient
Haematococcus pluvialis produces astaxanthin as a defence response to environmental stress — and the strongest natural stressor is intense sunlight. Most producers can't rely on the sun, so they force stress with artificial light, chemicals or fermentation.
We don't have to. The Atacama Desert gives us the highest solar irradiance on Earth, year-round, under a famously clear sky. Our microalgae accumulate astaxanthin the way nature intended — which is exactly why ours is so potent.
HOW IT WORKS
Three conditions, one ingredient
01 — LIGHT
The clearest skies on Earth
The Atacama's pristine, dry atmosphere — the same reason some the world's greatest observatories are built here — delivers sunlight of exceptional intensity and consistency. That light is what drives our H. pluvialis to accumulate its remarkably high astaxanthin content and supporting carotenoids, naturally.
02 — WATER
Pure water from the Andes
We use sterilised pure water from the Andes Mountains, treated by reverse osmosis and ozone. Combined with HEPA-filtered air and food-grade nutrients, it keeps our closed cultivation phase free of the contamination which is the main risk in this industry.
03 — ISOLATION
Nowhere near pollution
Our 250-acre facility sits in non-fertile marginal land, far from agriculture or population. There is no pollution to guard against — a structural advantage that no urban or coastal producer can match, and a guarantee of purity built into our location.
FROM CULTURE TO INGREDIENT
The triple setting process
A robust, proprietary technology of closed and open photobioreactors — built on a high level of cleanliness and asepsis at every stage.
SETTING 01
Closed Photobioreactor Culture
Non-GMO H. pluvialis is inoculated in aseptic medium. HEPA-filtered air, reverse-osmosis and ozone-treated water, and food-grade nutrients ensure contamination-free growth.
SETTING 02
Open Raceway Induction
Microalgae move to open ponds where they grow facing the Atacama sun — resembling their natural environment and maximising astaxanthin accumulation under natural stress.
SETTING 03
Harvest, Extraction & QC
Ground and vacuum-dried at low temperature to preserve bioavailability. Oleoresin is supercritical-CO₂ extracted — free of residual solvent. Every step under GMP standard.
THE DIFFERENCE
Clear Sky vs. conventional production
How sunlight-grown astaxanthin compares to fermentation and artificial-light methods.
Comparison reflects Atacama Bio's production approach. Specific figures available on request.