Omega-3 supplier Solutex to make nutraceutical ingredient splash at Vitafoods 2024
24 Apr 2024 --- US-based Solutex, an omega-3 supplier for the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries, will showcase its newly acquired capacity to process crude fish oil alongside its core portfolio of premium-quality eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrates, at Vitafoods Europe 2024, Switzerland between May 14–16.
“There are many providers of omega-3 ingredients, but Solutex stands out in its specialism in highly concentrated EPA and DHA oils and their derivatives, Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPMs). These ingredients are manufactured using advanced and sustainable technology to separate and purify fatty acids, which is known as CO2 supercritical technology,” Sonia Moreno, chief marketing officer at Solutex, tells Nutrition Insight.
“We can produce concentrations from crude oil up to 97% EPA, the industry’s highest concentration. In addition to these concentrates, Solutex has developed innovative IP-protected omega-3 ingredients such as monoglyceride forms that deliver highly absorbed omega-3s, or a convenient emulsion that contains a high concentration (3 g) of omega-3s in one shot of just 20 ml.”
Solutex is a pioneer in SPMs, which are the active metabolites of EPA and DHA that directly resolve inflammation. The company’s breakthrough products are IP-protected ingredients, Lipinova and Maresin 1.
Meeting nutraceuticals demand
Following a four-year expansion project at its FDA CGMP-certified facility in Mallén, Spain, the company can process 20,000 metric tons of crude fish oil annually.
At the trade show, Solutex will demonstrate its dual capacity for increased production volumes and heightened flexibility to meet growing consumer health and supplement demands at the trade show.
“This last expansion project is our fourth since the company was founded 20 years ago. Each one has kept us at the forefront of our industry, manufacturing high-quality concentrated omega-3s. This latest expansion has increased the flexibility of our offerings. We can now produce concentrates from crude oil as a vertically integrated manufacturer,” Moreno explains.
Solutex entered a recent investment round, establishing it as a premier provider of versatile, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3s from a wide range of raw materials, including fish and algae. The investment is well received at a time of increasing demand for these ingredients in the nutraceuticals sector.
“This latest investment has established us as a fully vertically integrated manufacturer, expanding our capabilities and reinforcing our competitive position. This remarkable progress will allow our customers to grow their offerings within the consumer health and pharmaceutical markets,” says Moreno.
Solutex can produce concentrates from crude oil up to 97% EPA, the industry’s highest concentration.
Meanwhile, as climate change and its potential effects loom, the nutraceutical and supplements industry is ever-looking for new and innovative ways to decrease its carbon footprint, improve sustainability and increase the circularity of the nutrient economy.
Biolipid research and innovation
The company is well-positioned in the marketplace to manufacture highly concentrated omega-3 EPA/DHA fatty acids and their derivatives and conduct biolipid research and innovation of next-generation formulas for the health and wellness industry.
The company’s headquarters and facility are located in Spain and it has commercial offices in the US, Canada, India and South Korea.
In other industry developments, the nutraceutical industry increasingly offers vegan innovations to meet the growing consumer demand for these alternatives. The International Flavors & Fragrances underscores that manufacturers face specific formulation challenges to deliver products that meet consumer needs for efficacy and delivery formats.
By Inga de Jong
