FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About Alginate

Types of alginate: There are six main types of alginate commonly used: sodium alginate, alginic acid, calcium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, and propylene glycol alginate. Each of these types has variations in properties such as viscosity, gel strength, particle size, and product color (whiteness). KIMICA has a wide range of products, with over hundreds of different items.
What is the purpose of using alginate?: Alginate can be used as a thickener, gelling agent, and stabilizer to improve the texture and shape of food. There are a variety of applications, not only in food but also in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, the textile industry, paper manufacturing, steel production, and various other fields that support our daily lives. Additionally, as a natural dietary fiber, alginate can help regulate digestion and promote the excretion of cholesterol. Clinical trials have demonstrated that calcium alginate, in particular, can help suppress rapid post-meal blood glucose elevation.
How should I use alginate?: You can use the alginate product (powder) as it is, or you can dissolve it in water and use it in the form of a water solution. In many cases, the amount of alginate used is very small (around 1-2%), so the key to fully utilizing its functionality is to ensure even distribution. While using it in a water solution is ideal, if you are using it as a powder, it is effective to follow a gradual dilution process. For more details, click here.
How to dissolve alginate effectively?: Water-soluble alginic acid salts like sodium alginate dissolves in both cold and warm water. However, if the powder is added directly to water, it can form large lumps, making it harder to dissolve. For tips on effectively dissolving alginate, please refer to this link.
Is there any danger in consuming alginate?: Alginate is a natural dietary fiber found in seaweed, and there is no danger in consuming it. The safety of alginic acid and its salts has been evaluated by international organizations (JECFA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives), and the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) has been determined as "not specified." Naturally derived sodium alginate from seaweed is a safe substance without impact from BSE, genetically modified organisms, or residual pesticides. It can be used with confidence in all situations.
Is alginate environmentally friendly?: KIMICA's alginate is produced from naturally cast seaweed using renewable energy and environmentally friendly methods. For more information about the sustainability of KIMICA alginate, please refer to this link.
Is alginate the same as arginine?: No, they are entirely different substances. KIMICA’s alginate product is a polysaccharide derived from seaweed and classified as dietary fiber. On the other hand, Arginine is an amino acid known for its benefits in fatigue recovery and overall health. While the names may sound similar, the components and properties are entirely distinct.
What is Propylene glycol alginate?: Propylene glycol alginate is a modified thickener obtained from alginic acid extracted from seaweed. It can provide thickening and stabilizing effects even in challenging areas such as acidic or calcium-containing foods where sodium alginate might be less effective. When added in small amounts to dough for items like bread and noodles, it enhances texture and stabilizes shape. For more details, please refer to this link.
Why is alginate used in sandwiches?: Propylene glycol alginate helps maintain soft and fluffy sandwich bread, preventing it from getting crushed. Sandwich bread is made softer than regular bread to prevent it from becoming dry during refrigerated distribution. However, soft bread can easily become squashed and negatively affect its texture. Propylene glycol alginate ensures that the soft sandwich bread maintains its shape, resulting in a delicious, soft texture.
Why is alginate used in instant noodles?: Alginate is used to improve the texture after rehydration. Instant noodles are precooked and dehydrated to enhance their shelf life. Adding hot water restores them to a softer state. However, the cooking and drying process can weaken the noodle structure, resulting in an unsatisfactory texture when rehydrated. Alginate strengthens the noodle structure, allowing instant noodles to have a firm and chewy texture even after rehydration.
How is alginate different from other thickeners?: - As a thickener: It provides a smooth texture without excessive stickiness.
- As a gelling agent: It forms heat-resistant gels that don't dissolve even when heated.
- As a dietary fiber: It has effects such as excreting cholesterol and controlling post-meal blood glucose elevation.
- Environmental impact: Alginate is a sustainable material made from renewable resources using environmentally friendly methods, minimizing its environmental footprint.
What to do when alginate viscosity has decreased?: Alginate, a natural polymer, tends to have its molecular chains gradually shorten during storage, leading to a decrease in viscosity. Higher temperatures can accelerate this viscosity reduction. For optimal storage, keep powdered alginate in a cool and dry place. For alginate solutions, it's recommended to use them as quickly as possible.
Cotton-like clumps are found in an opened propylene glycol alginate bag. Are they foreign objects?: No, those clumps are not foreign objects. They are merely aggregated propylene glycol alginate particles. Propylene glycol alginate goes through a sieving process to eliminate any foreign particles before being filled into product bags. However, due to the fibrous nature of the particles, they can re-aggregate into cotton-like clumps after passing through the sieving process. This is not a quality issue, and you can use the product with confidence.
What is the difference between PGA and PG?: PGA (Propylene Glycol Alginate) is sometimes confused with PG (Propylene Glycol) due to their similar names, but they are entirely different substances with distinct characteristics, properties, and uses.
PGA is a derivative of alginic acid that incorporates propylene glycol groups into alginic acid molecules. For more details, click here.
PGA (Propylene Glycol Alginate) is a powdered substance that dissolves in water to form a viscous paste, and it is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in various food applications.

About Seaweed

What kind of seaweed is the raw material for alginate?: The raw material seaweed used by KIMICA is mainly a seaweed called "Lessonia" collected in Chile, a country located in South America. Taxonomically, it is similar to kelp, and it is distinct from the seaweed found in Japan.
Where is the origin of the raw material seaweed?: KIMICA primarily uses seaweed from Chile in South America. Along the west coast of the South American continent, a significant amount of large seaweed thrives due to the influence of ocean currents. Additionally, the coastline of northern Chile, the main harvesting area, has a desert climate, allowing cast seaweed to be sun-dried quickly. Thus, Chile provides favorable conditions for sourcing alginate raw materials.
Where in seaweed is alginate found?: Alginate is stored in a gel-like state between cells and in the intercellular spaces of the seaweed's body structure.
Why doesn't alginate dissolve out of seaweed?: The alginate present in seaweed binds with various minerals in seawater, especially calcium, forming insoluble salts (calcium alginate). Although partially soluble salts (sodium alginate) are also present, their ratio is significantly lower compared to the insoluble salts. This results in a gel-like, viscous texture when mixed with water, but due to the dominance of the insoluble salts, it doesn't dissolve into the water.
What happens to seaweed after alginate is extracted?: In KIMICA, seaweed components from which alginate has been extracted are further processed into powder form and sold as seaweed powder for agricultural and animal feed purposes. Additionally, seaweed components can be fermented and turned into high-quality soil conditioners. In Chile, grapevines are cultivated using seaweed compost in green areas around factories, and wine made from grapes grown in this manner is produced.
If seaweed is harvested for alginate extraction, wouldn't it contribute to natural destruction?: In the coastal areas of Chile where KIMICA sources seaweed, artificial harvesting of seaweed is prohibited for environmental conservation. The lifecycle of Chilean seaweed naturally ends in about three years, after which it detaches from rocks and drifts ashore. Local fishermen living along the coast gather the cast seaweed, dry it, and sell it to sustain their livelihoods. Since KIMICA uses this cast seaweed as the raw material for alginate, there is no risk of environmental damage.

About Food Additives

Is alginate a food additive?: Yes, alginate is a food additive. In Japan, six types of alginic acid derivatives are specified as food additives: sodium alginate, alginic acid, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, and propylene glycol alginate (under the Japan Food Sanitation Act). When using alginate, please follow the food additive regulations of your country.
Are food additives bad for your health?: No, food additives are not harmful to health.
Materials that become food additives are limited to those that have been thoroughly evaluated for safety and use. Additionally, food additives are used only in very small quantities to enhance the texture, appearance, and flavor of processed foods. When used within the prescribed limits (or reasonable limits in the absence of specific regulations), they do not have adverse effects on health. Please follow the food additive regulations of your country when using alginate.

About KIMICA

What is KIMICA’s business?: KIMICA is a specialized manufacturer that produces and sells the material known as alginate, using natural seaweed as the raw material.
What does the name "KIMICA" mean?: The name "KIMICA" is derived from the abbreviation of our former company name, "Kimitsu Chemical Industries" (KIMICA). Founded in 1941 as Kimitsu Chemical Industries, the company reached its 60th anniversary in 2001 and changed its name to "KIMICA" as part of an image revitalization and to enhance its response to global expansion.
How many employees work at KIMICA?: As of August 2023, KIMICA has approximately 200 employees in Japan and about 230 employees at overseas facilities.

About the Chile Plant

Why does KIMICA have a plant in Chile?: Chile is the most suitable country for sourcing raw seaweed. KIMICA established a production base in Chile to process the cast seaweed into alginate locally and enhance our competitiveness in the market. Among alginate manufacturers worldwide, KIMICA is the only company with a production base in Chile.
What kind of work is conducted at the Chile plant?: Alginate is manufactured using seaweed collected from the Chilean coastline. The alginate produced in Chile is not only exported to Japan but also shipped directly to customers worldwide, including Europe and North America.
What kind of country is Chile?: Chile is a unique country situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, with a long and narrow north-south orientation. It has an area approximately twice that of Japan but a population of around 19 million. Influenced by its colonial past (Spain), European culture is reflected in daily life, and the official language is Spanish. Chile is relatively safe compared to other South American countries. It's a resource-rich nation, boasting the world's largest production of minerals such as copper and lithium. In recent years, it's also gained recognition as a producer of high-quality wine and wood pulp. The country is a major exporter of seafood, with over 80% of imported salmon in Japan coming from Chile.

About the Facility in China

Why does KIMICA have a facility in China?: China has numerous manufacturers that produce alginate using cultivated kelp. Among them, KIMICA has a deep history of collaboration with Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group, one of the most experienced and reputable companies in China. In 2016, as part of further cooperation, KIMICA formed a joint venture by establishing their business unit as a subsidiary. This is KIMICA's Chinese facility, known as Qingdao KIMICA Bright Moon Marine Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.
What kind of business is conducted at the facility in China?: It manufactures propylene glycol alginate.

About Alginate Safety

Is there any danger in consuming alginate?: Alginate is a natural dietary fiber found in seaweed, and there is no danger in consuming it. The safety of alginic acid and its salts has been evaluated by international organizations (JECFA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives), and the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) has been determined as "not specified." Naturally derived sodium alginate from seaweed is a safe substance without impact from BSE, genetically modified organisms, or residual pesticides. It can be used with confidence in all situations.
Are food additives bad for your health?: No, food additives are not harmful to health.
Materials that become food additives are limited to those that have been thoroughly evaluated for safety and use. Additionally, food additives are used only in very small quantities to enhance the texture, appearance, and flavor of processed foods. When used within the prescribed limits (or reasonable limits in the absence of specific regulations), they do not have adverse effects on health. Please follow the food additive regulations of your country when using alginate.
Cotton-like clumps are found in an opened propylene glycol alginate bag. Are they foreign objects?: No, those clumps are not foreign objects. They are merely aggregated propylene glycol alginate particles. Propylene glycol alginate goes through a sieving process to eliminate any foreign particles before being filled into product bags. However, due to the fibrous nature of the particles, they can re-aggregate into cotton-like clumps after passing through the sieving process. This is not a quality issue, and you can use the product with confidence.
What is the difference between PGA and PG?: PGA (Propylene Glycol Alginate) is sometimes confused with PG (Propylene Glycol) due to their similar names, but they are entirely different substances with distinct characteristics, properties, and uses.
PGA is a derivative of alginic acid that incorporates propylene glycol groups into alginic acid molecules. For more details, click here.
PGA is a powdered substance that dissolves in water to form a viscous paste, and it is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in various food applications.

About Alginate Usage/Dissolution

How should I use alginate?: You can use the alginate product (powder) as it is, or you can dissolve it in water and use it in the form of a water solution. In many cases, the amount of alginate used is very small (around 1-2%), so the key to fully utilizing its functionality is to ensure even distribution. While using it in a water solution is ideal, if you are using it as a powder, it is effective to follow a gradual dilution process. For more details, click here.
How to dissolve alginate effectively?: Water-soluble alginic acid salts like sodium alginate dissolves in both cold and warm water. However, if the powder is added directly to water, it can form large lumps, making it harder to dissolve. For tips on effectively dissolving alginate, please refer to this link.