Euglena Acquires Kobelco Microalgae Business; Calbee Expands Personalised Nutrition into Singapore

Tokyo, Japan — 18 May 2026

Japanese supplement manufacturer Euglena has completed its acquisition of the microalgae business unit from Kobelco Eco-Solutions. This strategic move includes the cultivation and ingredient operations for _Euglena gracilis_ EOD-1 microalgae, alongside the Micarea supplement brand. The acquisition is poised to bolster Euglena’s immune health product offerings, leveraging the fact that paramylon from the _Euglena gracilis_ EOD-1 strain is approved for use in Foods with Function Claim (FFC) products targeting immune function in Japan. This provides Euglena with enhanced control over its supply chain for a key functional ingredient and expands its market footprint within the highly regulated FFC category.

Concurrently, Japanese food and snack giant Calbee has partnered with Singaporean microbiome firm AMILI to launch its 'Body Granola' personalised nutrition service in Singapore. This marks the service's first international foray, following its successful introduction in Japan in April 2023, where it has attracted over 50,000 users. Body Granola integrates microbiome gut health testing with a tailored granola subscription, indicating a growing trend towards combining diagnostic services with customised food product delivery. This expansion signals a broader opportunity for Japanese FFC and personalised nutrition brands to penetrate the Southeast Asian market.

Further scientific developments include Japanese research on citrulline malate (CM), where an 8g dose significantly improved repeated sprint performance and reduced perceived effort in male sprinters. Also, an RCT involving researchers from Hosei University in Japan showed that _Pennisetum purpureum_ Schumach (napiergrass) extract improved hand grip strength in adults with early-stage sarcopenia, signalling potential for novel ingredients in muscle health formulations. These studies offer new avenues for functional ingredient development and product claims, albeit under stringent regulatory review for specific health benefits.

What this means for Japan

Manufacturers in Japan should capitalise on Euglena's acquisition by exploring secure sourcing of FFC-approved paramylon from _Euglena gracilis_ EOD-1 to develop immune-boosting supplements, crucial in a health-conscious market. The Calbee-AMILI partnership exemplifies the profitability of personalised nutrition models; Japanese brands should assess domestic and regional expansion for similar subscription-based, diagnostic-linked health services. This also highlights a competitive pressure for traditional supplement brands to innovate beyond single-ingredient capsules, moving towards integrated wellness solutions. Regulatory teams must monitor FFC approvals for ingredients like napiergrass, as new scientific data could open pathways for novel claims and product development, expanding beyond established functional ingredients.

Manufacturers are advised to track ingredient cost implications and potential reformulation windows stemming from Euglena’s expanded microalgae capacity.

This trend is being actively addressed by UK manufacturing partners including Supplement Factory.