HISTORY
Earthrise Nutritionals
HISTORY
Company History — Key Phases & Milestones
Vision, Foundation, and Early Cultivation
Earthrise® traces its origins to 1976, when a group of U.S. visionary pioneers founded Proteus Corporation to develop spirulina, a blue-green algae, as a sustainable global food resource. Supported by private California investors, the team began commercial cultivation in the hot desert region of Southeastern California in the late 1970s, a location chosen for its optimal climate. During this formative period, Proteus evolved into Earthrise® Nutritionals, laying the foundation for large-scale spirulina production in the United States.
Global Expansion Through Strategic Partnership
In 1981, Earthrise® entered into a strategic partnership with Dainippon Ink and Chemicals (DIC) of Japan, a diversified global company committed to advancing micro-algae for food, biochemical, and pharmaceutical applications. This collaboration united California entrepreneurship with Japanese corporate innovation and operational excellence, driving rapid expansion of spirulina production and market reach worldwide.
Integration and Global Leadership
In 2005, Earthrise® Nutritionals became a wholly owned subsidiary of DIC Corporation. With Earthrise® as its flagship U.S. operation and complementary farms abroad, the DIC Group established itself as the world’s largest producer of spirulina, strengthening global supply capabilities and quality leadership.
Natural Color Innovation and Sustainability Leadership
Responding to the global shift toward natural food colorings, DIC approved the development of a new spirulina extraction facility in 2013. Construction began in June 2014 and was completed in 2015, enabling the launch of LINABLUE®, a vivid natural blue coloring derived from spirulina’s phycocyanin via a natural, water-based extraction process. That same year, Earthrise achieved Zero Water Discharge at its manufacturing site through the addition of a CCR Title 27-compliant evaporation pond system, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable manufacturing.
Smart Agriculture and the Future of Spirulina
On April 10, 2025, Earthrise® Nutritionals inaugurated its New Harvest Plant, marking a new era of Smart Agriculture. The advanced facility integrates centralized SCADA-controlled cultivation across approximately 420,000 m², AI-driven algae growth monitoring, collaborative robotics, drone-based facility analysis, and an advanced water management system achieving zero off-site industrial wastewater discharge while maintaining exceptional product quality.
Today, Earthrise® operates the world’s largest spirulina farm in California. Together with the global DIC Group, Earthrise® continues to lead the industry in spirulina production, natural ingredients, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.
Earthrise Non-GMO Project Verified
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