Table 6 Direct production costs (A), Fixed charges (B) and plant overhead costs (C), manufacturing costs (I, A + B + C), general expenses (II) and total production costs (I + II) of the biotechnological production of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis comparing four different downstream scenarios, D1, D2, D3, and D4

1. Raw materials

2. Operating labour

Approx. 15 of (III)

3. Supervisory/clerical labour

0.12 of (2)

4. Electricity

5. Maintenance and repairs

0.04 (of FCI)

6. Operating supplies

0.1 of (5)

7. Laboratory charges

0.1 of (2)

8. Patents and royalties

Approx. 0.015 of (III)

9. Supercritical CO₂ extraction via an external service provider

(€50 per kg biomass)

A. Direct production costs

Sum of (1 to 9)

Lifetime equipment

10 years

Initial costs for equipment

Salvage value of equipment

Depreciation equipment per year

10%

Initial costs for buildings

Salvage value of buildings

Depreciation buildings per year

3%

10. Depreciation total per year

11. Local taxes

0.01 of (FCI)

12. Insurance

0.04 of (FCI)

B. Fixed charges

Sum of (10 to 12)

C. Plant overhead costs

0.5 of (2, 3, 5)

I. Manufacturing costs (A + B + C)

14. Administrative costs

0.2 of (2)

15. Distribution and marketing costs

Approx. 0.05 of (III)

16. Research and development

0.02 of (IV)

17. Interest

0.02 of (FCI)

II. General expenses

Sum of (14 to 17)

III. Total product cost (I + II)