Multifunctional collagens: Upcycling innovations, new blends and palatable formulations

Demand for multifunctional collagens is surging, with applications diversifying across industries for nutraceuticals, skin care, and functional foods and beverages. New and innovative collagens working in tandem with other highly functional ingredients offer expanded benefits in solutions tailored for specific health needs in joint comfort and function, beauty-from-within, sports performance, gut health, and active lifestyles. 

Nutrition Insight speaks to Stratum Nutrition, Bioiberica, BioCell Technology, and Dolcas Biotech to explore the latest formulation advances and market trends around this essential ingredient.

“North America and Asia have been leading the way in innovation in the multifunctional collagen space with products combining health categories like skin health and joint mobility in convenient delivery formats,” highlights Marie Parks, ingredient science specialist at Stratum Nutrition.

“Multifunctional collagen activity in Europe is on the rise, especially those that are positioned as sustainable, clean label options. While collagen was primarily positioned for beauty-from-within and joint health, we are seeing crossover in the active lifestyle and healthy aging categories.”

Collagen is also being paired with gut health ingredients to support the gut-skin and gut-joint axes, which can also overlap with the sport performance category, she notes. “Stratum Nutrition’s Nem (clinically supported for joint comfort and cartilage protection) and Ovolux (clinically shown to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and moisture) are ideal for these hybrid formulations.”

“When combined with gut health ingredients like Bimuno — our award-winning prebiotic fiber — and Humiome Post LB, a postbiotic for gut barrier and digestive health, brands can create multifunctional products that appeal to consumers seeking comprehensive wellness solutions.”

The rapid growth of the collagen market has led to confusion among consumers and industry professionals alike regarding product differentiation, scientific claims, and specific benefits.Canada is showing accelerated adoption of multifunctional collagen solutions, while Japan is a significant driver of Asian demand, according to K.G. Rao, founder and CEO of DolCas Biotech. He notes a particularly growing focus on tripeptides for holistic well-being, which are offered in the company’s “triple-action” next-generation marine collagen, Morikol.

“Customers and consumers are becoming more aware of the fact that not all tripeptides are the same, and it is important to know if your collagen is providing you with the most bioactive category of tripeptides,” he highlights.

Confusion around collagen

The rapid growth of the category comes with mounting confusion, says Monica Gomez Navarro, the marketing manager of Branded Ingredients at Bioiberica. She notes: “Both consumers and industry professionals are increasingly asking: What truly sets one collagen ingredient apart from another? Which health claims are grounded in science? And which collagen ingredient is best for X benefit?”

“To demonstrate the levels of uncertainty in the market, our recent collagen survey — which included over 100 nutraceutical professionals — found that 84% know that collagen plays a role in joint health, but only one in two were confident about which specific ingredient type is best for this benefit.”

To prevent the collagen segment from being “clouded by misinformation, inconsistent standards and a lack of clear guidance,” Gomez Navarro urges for more targeted research, transparent labelling, and greater clarity.

“That’s exactly why Bioiberica launched the Collagen Symposium,” she continues. “This dynamic, expert-led event unites thought leaders from across health and nutrition to dive into the latest science, regulatory shifts, formulation hurdles, and innovation opportunities — creating a vital platform to help the industry cut through the noise and realize collagen’s full potential.”

Functional eggshell membrane

Stratum Nutrition’s natural eggshell membrane-based ingredients Nem and Ovolux are “redefining collagen innovation” by also delivering synergistic bioactives — such as elastin, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycans.

“Nem, our flagship partially hydrolyzed eggshell membrane ingredient, is backed by a robust clinical portfolio demonstrating joint health benefits,” details Parks.

“Our latest ingredient, Ovolux, uses an unhydrolyzed form of eggshell membrane, allowing the body to gradually break it down and absorb its building blocks — many of which naturally decline in the skin with age, including multiple collagen types, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.”

Stratum Nutrition’s natural eggshell membrane-based ingredients Nem and Ovolux are “redefining collagen innovation” by also delivering synergistic bioactives.Stratum Nutrition’s Nem and Ovolux align well with these demands and trends, offering clinically supported joint and skin support from upcycled eggshell membrane in formulator-friendly doses, deeming them as effective, versatile, and eco-conscious options for multifunctional solutions.”

Produced from upcycled eggshell membrane in the US, Ovolux is non-GMO, halal, and kosher multifunctional collagen ingredient available in “formulator-friendly doses for effective, versatile, and eco-conscious options for multifunctional solutions.”

In a six-week clinical trial, 300 mg of Ovolux daily significantly improved skin elasticity, firmness, and moisture compared to placebo. 

Formulating palatability

BioCell Collagen pioneered the Multifunctional Collagen category when it introduced the first bioactive matrix of collagen on the market — BioCell Collagen — in early 2000.

“A true pioneer, BioCell Collagen is not isolated or purified collagen protein. It is a naturally occurring matrix of hydrolyzed collagen type II peptides, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid,” says Douglas Jones, the global sales and marketing manager at BioCell Technology.

“This unique matrix is not a blend of individual ingredients. Various studies, including seven human clinical trials, support its safety, functional efficacy, and bioavailability.”

BioCell Technology’s latest offering is BioCell Collagen ERP. “ERP stands for “Extra Refined Palatable” specifically made for the supplement consumer that prefers the ease of taking supplements in a non-pill format like gummies, chewables, lozenges, and lollipops,” notes Jones.

In other palatability innovations, DolCas Biotech offers Morikol, a fine, concentrated powder that is odorless, flavor-neutral, and highly soluble. The next-generation marine collagen is distinguished by its unique tripeptide structure and promises “superior bioavailability at an exceptionally low daily dose.”

“This enables effortless incorporation into capsules, gummies, hot and cold beverages, chocolates, bars, and other confections — a major departure from bulky, inconvenient collagen powders,” says Rao.

Formulation advances boosting seamless collagen palatability, including for marine ingredients, is advancing health-haloed snacking.With its low molecular weight and neutral taste, Morikol is designed to “seamlessly” integrate into functional foods and beverages. “It has already been infused into confections — such as milk, dark, and white chocolates — without compromising flavor, aroma, or texture. Just one 8 g square of chocolate delivers a clinically efficacious dose, making collagen both indulgent and convenient,” says Rao.

“Morikol also stands out as a triple-action collagen — covering skin, joints, and whole-body connective tissue support — that delivers results as a stand-alone, while still offering easy formulation alongside other trending actives,” he stresses.

Next to typical skin, joint, bone, tendon, and ligament support, Morikol has shown benefits for cardiovascular health, wound healing, immune defense, and digestive tract integrity. “Its low dose and solubility make it a natural partner in multi-ingredient blends for gut, brain, and immune health — paving the way for personalized nutrition and multifunctional formulations,” Rao underscores.

Trending collagen formats

Jones at BioCell Technology highlights trending formats: “We are seeing soft center chews and other sensory products being introduced. Collagen is emerging across other categories in the retail setting, like cosmetics and food. We are observing more interest from companies seeking ingredients that are Halal certified.”

Gomez Navarro at Bioiberica affirms: “While capsules remain a staple, consumer interest is rapidly shifting toward new and engaging delivery forms, like gummies, snack bars, and ready-to-drink shakes, which turn daily supplementation into a treat.”

“Bioiberica is tapping into this trend with the recent unveiling of a collagen-fortified milk prototype at Vitafoods Europe featuring our Collavant n2 native (undenatured) type II collagen, effective at just 40 mg/day. This low-dose, functional drink formulation offers a novel way to support joint health, blending science-backed efficacy with everyday appeal.”

In May, Bioiberica became the first collagen manufacturer to achieve NutraStrong Collagen Verification for its native (undenatured) type II collagen, Collavant n2, for mobility. Nutrition Insight reported on this advancement from Bioiberica’s manufacturing site in Palafolls, Spain.