Jakarta (ANTARA) - Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has championed the development of microalgal biotechnology in Indonesia to create high-value products.

"Microalgae hold tremendous potential for development in Indonesia thanks to our favorable environmental conditions," he noted in a statement on Saturday.

As an example of this potential, Kartasasmita highlighted the work of Evergen Resources, a Central Java-based company producing Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae.

The algae produces astaxanthin, a valuable substance for protecting against the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, boosting the immune response, and guarding against the negative effects of ultraviolet light.

According to Kartasasmita, the astaxanthin derived from microalgae is rich in antioxidants and can be used in various products, including health supplements, medicines, cosmetics, food and beverages, and even animal feed.

However, he acknowledged significant challenges in developing microalgal biotechnology. High production and research costs limit consumer affordability and hinder market expansion.

Additionally, the products are susceptible to contamination during production, necessitating strict quality control measures. Finally, the market is quite competitive, with major players from countries boasting advanced technology.

"For that reason, strategic collaboration between the government, educational institutions, research institutions, and industries is crucial to accelerate product development and market penetration through effective policies," he remarked.

Beyond microalgae for high-value products, Kartasasmita also encouraged companies to explore processing algae into biofuel.

He emphasized the need for support from user industries, like state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, to provide production and storage facilities for such endeavors.

Related news: BRIN backs use of microalgae as food source in Indonesia
Related news: Unraveling challenges from research-based alternative energy