Healthy aging and active lifestyles prime opportunities for collagen NPD: Lonza expert
01 Apr 2019 --- A new generation of active consumers, as much as the aging population, now shift their attention towards preserving joint health. “There is a growing global demand for bone and joint health ingredients, as consumers are increasingly aware of the preventive benefits of proper nutrition,” notes Dominik Mattern, Associate Director and Head of Business Development for Consumer Health & Nutrition at Lonza. Mattern offered his insights on new collagen ingredients and joint health solutions during a recent NutritionInsight webinar.
The webinar, “Moving with the times: a new generation joint health solution for today’s consumer,” examines the changing consumer landscape, including the expectations of both aging and active consumers as well as the rising global demand for joint health solutions and anti-inflammatory support.
The NutritionInsight webinar comes at a time of increasing NPD in this space. Innova Market Insights reports that products with bone and joint health claims are on the rise and enjoyed a 13 percent CAGR (2014-2018).
Approaches to joint health and consumer targets
Seniors looking to maintain mobility and active consumers looking for sports supplements are key demographics that present prime opportunities for collagen NPD. “In addition to supplementation to nourish the joints, anti-inflammatory support is another trending space,” says Mattern.
“It is safe to say that the aging population continues to grow and there is also a younger generation that is concerned about healthy aging. Additionally, we see a shift towards performance and being active and healthy. Consumers know that joint health is not only for the elderly but offers health benefits to the younger generation as well.”
UC-II ingredient
Honing in on Lonza’s UC-II ingredients, Mattern discusses the science behind the development of the ingredient along with its formulation and unique joint health properties. UC-II has the potential to meet the needs of a growing consumer base he says, which is seeking to maintain joint health. Moreover, Mattern gives a first look at Lonza’s new generation of ready-to-market innovative dosage forms and formulations that address mobility concerns related to healthy aging.
According to Innova Market Insights, products with collagen type II targeting bone and joint health have experienced a CAGR of 57 percent from 2014 to 2018.
Lonza’s UC-II ingredient is potent in small doses, Mattern states. The small dose gives the product a great deal of formulation flexibility, “meaning you can easily use a small dose in more complex formulations and still have a product that is easy to swallow when we are talking about traditional dosage forms like soft gelatin capsules,” he says.
In terms of other applications like bars, for example, Lonza doesn’t currently have too much experience, but the company is looking into beverage and gummy applications increasingly. “As we are a science-based company, of course, we want to make sure that the products have a good shelf life, as well as stability,” Mattern notes.
The fastest growing market categories for new products tracked with a bone and/or joint health claim (Global 2014-2018), are sports bars with a CAGR of 61 percent, sports powders with 41 percent CAGR, meat snacks with 35 percent CAGR and gummies/jellies with a CAGR of 14 percent, according to Innova Market Insights data
According to the studies Lonza has conducted with its UC-II ingredient, it is more efficient when consumed daily as a supplement. “When you think about a beverage or a bar, which are a convenience food or functional food, then it might make sense to add UC-II for joint health as long as we make sure the consumer takes the bar/beverage every day,” Mattern explains.
The studies showed that in healthy adults 90 days are needed for results to be seen. Two months supplementation should be the minimum period for the ingredient to take effect. However, some consumer reviews have mentioned an evident improvement in mobility much faster, according to Mattern, but these should be taken with a grain of salt, he says.
Additionally, Mattern discusses how joint health and collagen supplementation may improve the lives of people’s pets. “Our animal friends suffer from the same non-communicable diseases as humans do, such as obesity and arthritis, which is a big issue,” he notes.
The webinar further expands on the “very broad basket of consumers that are looking after mobility and joint health and the form of independence which mobility ultimately is,” according to Mattern, in addition to the needs of this increasing consumer base.
