Inner Mongolia Zaihuishou Bio-Engineering Co, based in Otog Banner, Ordos, recently announced that its spirulina powder is set to be exported to Germany.

According to Guo Chunyu, the company's sales director, this shipment consists of 18 metric tons of spirulina and is scheduled to depart for Germany in about two weeks. To date, the company has exported over 2,000 tons of spirulina, with markets across the European Union, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Since 2003, Otog Banner has developed the world's largest spirulina industry cluster, producing 5,200 tons of high-quality spirulina powder annually, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the global output. Over 20 types of products are exported to more than 40 countries and regions. Otog’s spirulina recently received a geographical indication trademark, achieving dual protection with its geographical indication product status.

In recent years, the local spirulina industry has moved towards high-end development. In collaboration with Zhejiang University, a joint research center for biomedicine was established, leading to the development of advanced products such as spirulina exosome ultra-pure liquid and nano spirulina eye drops.

This has created a comprehensive cycle from resources to technology, clinical applications, and industry, and has resulted in 11 national invention patents and one Japanese patent, marking a significant shift from raw material production to a burgeoning biopharmaceutical industry.