Careddi Successfully Commissions 200L Ultra-High Pressure (100MPa) Supercritical CO₂ Extraction System in Chile, Enabling In-House Astaxanthin Production

Chile – July 2026 – Careddi Technology Co., Ltd. has successfully completed the on-site installation and comprehensive training for a 200L (100L×2) ultra-high pressure supercritical CO₂ extraction system for a Chilean natural products company. The client operates a large-scale microalgae cultivation facility in the country, leveraging the region's exceptional natural sunlight and pristine water sources to cultivate Haematococcus pluvialis at scale. For years, however, the company operated solely as a raw material supplier, relying heavily on third-party contract manufacturers for astaxanthin extraction. The commissioning of Careddi's system marks a pivotal transformation—the client has now established its own in-house deep-processing team, evolving from a commodity feedstock provider to a high-value extract manufacturer.

 

Eliminating Toll-Processing Dependency: Drastic Cost Reduction and Efficiency Gains

 

The client acknowledged that outsourcing extraction to third-party processors came with significant drawbacks: exorbitant tolling fees that eroded profit margins, rigid production schedules dictated by external providers, and limited control over critical process parameters, which compromised batch-to-batch consistency. With Careddi's 200L ultra-high pressure extraction line now fully operational, the client can immediately convert their home-grown Haematococcus pluvialis biomass into high-purity astaxanthin oil on-site. This fundamental shift has completely eliminated toll-processing dependency, substantially reduced overall production costs, and multiplied throughput efficiency—providing a solid foundation for the company's long-term industrial-scale supply strategy.

 

Ultra-High Pressure Hardware Tailored for Astaxanthin Processing

 

Astaxanthin recovery demands extreme pressures and unwavering system reliability. Careddi custom-engineered this system with a design pressure of 100MPa, ensuring safe and stable long-term operation within the 80–90MPa working range—the optimal window for efficient cell-wall disruption of Haematococcus pluvialis. Fabricated from high-grade 304SS stainless steel, the system is further equipped with an additional dedicated CO₂injection pump beyond the standard configuration, guaranteeing ample and consistent flow delivery under sustained high-pressure conditions—eliminating any risk of pressure drop or flow insufficiency during demanding extraction cycles.

 

Notably, the client's microalgae cultivation employs a distinctive natural cultivation approach: the early stages utilize closed photobioreactors, while the final stage takes place in open ponds under natural high-intensity sunlight, allowing the algae to accumulate astaxanthin through natural stress conditions—without any chemical inducers. This unique natural cultivation method produces biomass of exceptional quality, while also placing higher demands on extraction equipment adaptability. Careddi's ultra-high pressure system, with its broad pressure adjustment range and precise temperature control, perfectly matches the extraction requirements of this naturally-derived feedstock.

 

Fully Automatic Control with On-Site Software Customization

 

The client opted for the fully automatic model, where valve openings, extraction temperatures, system pressure, and other critical parameters are all intelligently managed via a centralized HMI panel. Recognizing the unique physical properties of microalgae slurry, Careddi embedded a senior software engineer within the installation team. This specialist remained on-site to meticulously fine-tune the PLC automation logic and optimize control sequences specifically for the client's feedstock, ensuring seamless alignment between automated routines and actual material behavior—greatly simplifying operation and enhancing batch reproducibility.

 

Full-Cycle Pre-Service Support Ensures True Turnkey Delivery

 

Prior to manufacturing, Careddi engineers held multiple meetings with the client's team to pre-plan piping routes and equipment footprints based on the actual workshop layout, preventing potential on-site interference. During the pre-shipping trial phase, we sourced surrogate materials with properties highly similar to Haematococcus pluvialis and conducted comprehensive pilot extraction tests to validate separation efficiency and processing capacity in advance. This meticulous preparation minimized on-site commissioning time, delivering a true "turnkey" experience.

 

International Certifications Empower Global Market Expansion

 

The client's products have obtained multiple internationally recognized certifications, meeting strict non-GMO, gluten-free, allergen-free, non-irradiated, and solvent-free standards. The commissioning of Careddi's ultra-high pressure extraction line will enable the client to supply higher-value astaxanthin extracts under its own brand to global markets, further solidifying its leadership position in the natural astaxanthin space.

 

Careddi remains committed to empowering the global natural products extraction industry with cutting-edge supercritical fluid technology, offering complete solutions from laboratory R&D to full-scale industrial production.