Lonza spotlights pullulan capsules to address growing plant-based demands

29 Oct 2020 --- Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) is tapping into the major plant-based market with its Capsugel Plantcaps. Ahead of next week’s webinar, Stéphane Vouche, marketing manager, tells NutritionInsight how the plant-based sector has developed and where challenges remain.

“Quality by design is the answer to R&D obstacles. Already at this level, we take the impact of choosing a plant-based polymer – used to make capsule shells – into account,” he says.

Aspects include considering whether it will be convenient for the customer, if it will perform well during automation and which ingredients it will be compatible with.

Interestingly, there initially was a link between plant-based capsules and particular fillings, notes Vouche. However, now Lonza’s plant-based portfolio can take up any challenge a gelatin capsule would have taken, and plant-based is present across all segments. 

“Moreover, the portfolio of plant-based capsules allows customers to tune the delivery of their ingredients by selecting the appropriate plant-based capsule. One example is DRcaps for stomach acid protection versus Plantcaps for immediate release.”The Capsugel Plantcaps are made from pullulan, which is fermented from tapioca.

Embracing pullulan
The Capsugel Plantcaps are made from pullulan, which is fermented from tapioca. 

“Pullulan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide obtained through non-GMO fermentation of starch syrup obtained from cassava plants. It is globally accepted, safe and offers our capsules unique attributes that contribute to the performance of the product,” says Vouche. 

Earlier this year, Vaughn DuBow, marketing manager of Americas CHI at Lonza, explained how the company spent countless hours and dollars making these options capable of not simply being a plant-based ‘knock-off’ of the original, but offering them with the same color richness as other Capsugel capsules.

In addition to being vegan, the capsules can be positioned as clean label, thus appealing to a variety of consumers. 

In September, Vouche observed that clean label is now not so much a trend as a movement that encompasses a complex, nuanced set of consumer values and ideals. 

Plant-based takes hold
The upcoming year is forecast to see the rising appeal of plant-based products in different regions and categories, according to Innova Market Insights. The market researcher recently announced “Plant-Forward” as the second of its Top Ten Trends for 2021, as further detailed in a video interview with Lu Ann Williams, global insights director. 

A 2019 consumer survey from the market researcher revealed that three in five global consumers are incorporating more plant ingredients into their diets. 

Accordingly, the nutrition industry responded with a host of launches. Between 2015 and 2019, there was 34 percent average annual growth of supplements launches tracked with a plant-based or vegan claim. 

Notably, plant-based capsules, in particular, have also seen growth. In 2015, they made up 12 percent of total supplement launches, but this rose to 18 percent in 2019. Environmental considerations are closely connected with the plant-based movement.

Sustainability takes center stage
Environmental considerations are closely connected with the plant-based movement. 

Another consumer survey from Innova Market Insights revealed that sustainability – in addition to health, diet variety and taste – are the top reasons for people considering plant-based alternatives. 

The market researcher also reveals that the proportion of global consumers expecting companies to invest in sustainability rose from 65 percent in 2018 to 70 percent in 2020. 

Organic claims are also sometimes associated with environmental factors, but Vouche flags that this can create challenges for industry.

“We live in a fragmented world. What is organic in one country is not necessarily in the other. Harmonization would certainly help,” he stresses.

Looking ahead, however, Vouche expects that plant-based is here to stay, and sustainability will be key. 

On November 5, Lonza will host a webinar diving into the science and regulatory landscape of this space, as well as sharing more about Plantcaps’ novel applications. Registration is currently open here. 

By Katherine Durrell