Vitafoods Europe 2025 live: Lonza CHI on trending dosage formats, vegan capsules and pet care

Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) is presenting dosage form solutions, vegan capsules, and joint health ingredients at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, Spain (May 20–22). The health and capsules provider is also offering innovation services to help customers develop supplements for various niches, such as mobility and women’s health.

On the show floor, Nutrition Insight meets Catherine Lehmann, the company’s director and head of marketing EMEA, to learn about the product concepts, consumer demands, and sustainability initiatives at the Center for Applied Sustainability.

“One thing we’re seeing that resonates is specializing in dosage forms. Our aim is to see how we can drive innovation from a dosage form perspective, how we can differentiate, and how we can appeal to consumers, while acknowledging that innovation is more limited in Europe in terms of claims.”

“One thing that stands out clearly is the consumer experience, for instance, aromatic capsules, which are flavored capsules with essential oils. These provide a pleasant experience when consumers open the product. If you’ve taken supplements like fish oil or herbal products, you know how they can sometimes have an unpleasant smell,” says Lehmann.

She adds the consumer experience is much more pleasant with the essential oil coatings. “These products are gaining a lot of traction because consumers appreciate the combination of efficiency and enjoyment, as well as the added convenience.”

Vegan capsules on trend 

According to Lonza’s proprietary research, 40% of supplement users consider “vegan” to be an important factor in their purchasing decisions. Its branded innovations in this category include colorful Capsugel Vcaps Plus and HPMC and pullulan capsules Capsugel Plantcaps.

Catherine Lehmann, Lonza CHI’s director and head of marketing EMEA.“Another key aspect is the consumer preference for vegan products, which has been a major trend, especially in Western Europe. When we look at Europe, nearly all of our sales in Western Europe are vegan capsules. This aligns with the holistic concept where consumers are seeking vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan labels. We have a couple of products that meet these preferences, including HPMC,” continues Lehmann.

“This trend is strong, and customers can select the best capsule based on the formula they’re working with. For example, for an oxidation-sensitive formula, a pullulan capsule might be the best option. It’s about offering flexibility and meeting customer needs, while also providing the right solutions for various formulas. This is a growing area.”

Pet and human joint health 

UC-II undenatured type II collagen for joint health for pets was launched less than a year ago in the US and was introduced in Europe a few months ago, shares Lehmann. It is being showcased at the Pet Nutrition Hub.

Lonza details that the ingredient retains its 3D structure thanks to its patented manufacturing method, helping it stand out in the market.

“UC-II undenatured type II collagen for joint health is gaining traction for the prevention of joint issues, not only when they are already acute but also more preventively. We have seen that similar trends have occurred in the past. Currently, there is significant demand for joint health solutions when pets already have mobility problems,” says Lehmann.

“However, we’re seeing trends increasingly similar to the human market — pet owners want to extend support to their pets’ mobility over time. UC-II is also being used for this purpose now, and we want to position ourselves accordingly to leverage this trend.”

Consumers appreciate the combination of efficiency and enjoyment, and the added convenience of new dosage forms.The small dose (40 mg) is minimal, making it easy to provide for pets. “We expect a lot of traction in this area,” Lehmann adds.

Lonza’s Center for Applied Sustainability

Lehmann talks about sustainability at Lonza through its Center for Applied Sustainability, certifications, and supply chain assessments. 

Lonza achieved EcoVadis certification with a score of 75 points, earning a silver rating. “Additionally, our CHI standards are even more stringent due to our establishment of a Center for Applied Sustainability,” says Lehmann. 

“We are addressing two key aspects simultaneously. First, we recognize that we are within Scope 3 for our customers and are making significant efforts to decarbonize our production. We utilize renewable electricity across our two plants in Europe, specifically in Bornem, Belgium, and Colmar, France.”

In Colmar, Lonza is harnessing steam from the municipal grid for production. In Bornem, it has installed 5,000 solar panels in its warehouse, which accounts for approximately 10% of the company’s energy production. 

“We are also establishing agreements for electricity recycling, highlighting our strong commitment to sustainability. We take a thorough approach to scrutinizing our suppliers, which falls under the responsibilities of the Center for Applied Sustainability,” continues Lehmann.

“This center operates cross-functionally, bringing together experts collaborating with various internal teams, including production, environmental, and procurement. Monitoring our suppliers is crucial, and we are currently engaging 80% of them in our sustainability initiatives, representing a comprehensive end-to-end approach.”

According to Lonza’s proprietary research, 40% of supplement users consider “vegan” to be an important factor in their purchasing decisions.Lonza has begun producing carbon footprint reports for its products, with carbon emissions 40% lower than those of our competitors, says Lehmann. “This data is available for customers, enabling them to leverage it for their innovations.” 

“Our focus is not only on innovation itself but on sustainable innovation. This enables co-creation opportunities with customers to develop specific products around sustainability concepts, tailored to meet diverse customer requirements.”

Customized service

At Vitafoods Europe 2025, Lonza CHI is also featuring its Ennovation Services to customers. In a full-day innovation session, it meets with customers and focuses on what gaps they seek to address. 

Delivery system solutions include Lonza’s Capsugel Liquid-Filled Capsules, Capsugel Duocap dual-release capsules, and Capsugel Beadlets Technology.

The company examines a customer’s product range to see, for instance, if they have women’s health products they want to expand. Lehmann elaborates: “We also review our products, analyze market trends, and assess the gaps between what the customer has and what we offer, considering how our solutions can fit in. Product development plays a crucial role.”

“Ultimately, this is a highly customized service,” she concludes.