“The time is right”: Lonza brings titanium dioxide-free semi-opacifier to market ahead of French ban

06 Nov 2019 --- Lonza has launched Vcaps Plus White Opal, its first commercially-available titanium dioxide-free semi-opaque capsule for food supplements, at CPhI Worldwide 2019, taking place this week in Frankfurt, Germany. The launch precedes a ban on titanium dioxide, set to come into force in France next year, Stéphane Vouche, Marketing Manager at Lonza, tells NutritionInsight from the CPhI show floor. Increased scrutiny is bound to increase demand for clean label solutions in the space – something the new product offers with its avoidance of unnecessary chemicals, plasticizers and other elements.

Vouche explains that the semi-opacifier is made using only hypromellose and food-grade calcium carbonate. “We went on quite a journey to select the best calcium carbonate for the solution. The combination of just these two ingredients gives a robust and reliable solution to consumers.”

The R&D process for Vcaps Plus White Opal started over two years ago, with the capsule having to undergo numerous tests to ensure a good standard for the market. It has led to a product that results in excellent machinability and masking capabilities of ingredients, according to the company. 

Stéphane Vouche, Marketing Manager at Lonza.Vouche highlights that a major consumer trend is the search for scientifically-backed products. “Consumers are looking for solutions that work, which relates to a number of segments. There are numerous new products that are heavily backed by research.”

White is one of the most popular capsule colors and is often chosen for its masking capabilities – for example, it helps to protect sensitive ingredients from UV light. “The performance of this capsule is very high compared to other titanium dioxide alternatives,” adds Vouche.

The EU-compliant capsules are available in multiple sizes for powder fills and can be branded using titanium dioxide-free printing. They also enable a fast delivery, thanks to its gelatin-like immediate release of ingredients.

Earlier this year, Dominik Mattern, Associate Director Business Development, Head of Business Development, Lonza, told NutritionInsight: “This is a Holy Grail product as the industry has been looking for an alternative to titanium dioxide for a long time.”

Clean label amid titanium dioxide fears
Food-grade titanium dioxide, also known as E171, is a common white pigment that has a long history of use in food supplement applications for its brightness and opacifying properties. It is widely used in candy, chewing gum, cake icing and white sauces. In cosmetic and skincare products, titanium dioxide is also used as a pigment, thickener and as an ingredient of sunscreen. However, recent scientific studies indicated potential risks associated with the presence of nanoparticles. 

Although the data is not conclusive and further research is needed, these findings have thrown the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive into question. With strong ongoing public debate, the marketing of titanium dioxide-containing foodstuffs will be suspended in France beginning January 1, 2020.Lonza was presenting in Frankfurt, Germany, at CPhI Worldwide 2019.

This comes as consumers are also seeking clean label products at an increasing rate. Indeed, Innova Market Insights reports 13 percent CAGR in food and beverage launches with a clean label claim (Global, 2013-2017). Products with this type of positioning accounted for 29 percent of global new food and beverage launches in 2017. “Clean label is certainly no longer a niche trend. Consumers are increasingly reading and looking at the label. This is the way forward in presenting new dosage forms to the market,” says Vouche.

He also notes that the clean label trend is linked to vegetarianism, which he says is also on the rise. This creates a lucrative market for the vegan capsules. “We see this technology as a real game-changer, not just for manufacturers using vegetarian capsules, but also those looking to switch from a gelatin polymer,” adds Joachim Meier, Sr. Director, Commercial Lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Lonza Consumer Health & Nutrition.

Last month, Lonza launched its vegan formulation MuscleGuard, which is designed to meet the demands of consumers in the developing sports nutrition space. Meanwhile, the company’s personal care division recently launched a new topical ingredient that promotes the appearance of youthful skin and an even skin tone by protecting against damage caused by reactive oxygen species. 

On November 8, Lonza will host a webinar discussing how food supplement makers can address the rising consumer demand for clean and clear label solutions in light of the changing regulatory environment regarding the use of titanium dioxide as an opacifier. Registration is currently open here. 

By Katherine Durrell, with additional reporting by Laxmi Haigh