Weekly Roundup: ACG to open Asia’s biggest capsule manufacturing plant, BASF accelerates CO2 reduction targets

26 Nov 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, ACG, a provider of nutraceutical solutions, is set to open Asia’s largest capsule manufacturing site in Maharashtra, India. BASF has developed a project organization called “Net Zero Accelerator” to accelerate its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030. Meanwhile, UK-based researchers found that the inclusion of prunes in a structured weight management program can aid in weight management.

In brief: Business news
ACG’s manufacturing site in India will produce 40 billion capsules annually. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Maharashtra to set up the site R&D center. The plant will serve both Indian and international pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. Additionally, the plant will employ key design principles from the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It will be powered significantly by green renewable energy to create and sustain value. It will also employ automation and industry 4.0 technologies to minimize resource intensity and ensure products meet global manufacturing practices.

With its Net Zero Accelerator project organization, BASF will accelerate its activities to reduce its CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030 compared with 2018 and become climate neutral by 2050. The Net Zero Accelerator focuses on implementing and accelerating low-CO2 production technologies, circular economy and renewable energies projects. By pooling expertise around renewable energies, BASF will increase the speed of implementation and achieve scaling effects more quickly, thus making an important contribution to climate protection. Based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, the new project organization will start in January with around 80 employees.Sugar & Kush Milk Chocolate Full Bar (Credit: Sugar & Kush).

In brief: Launches and releases
Ingredientsonline.com unveiled custom, private label products developed with effective formulas and quality ingredients alongside its growing catalog of natural nutraceutical ingredients. Private label products are finished products that are ready to sell to consumers. Ingredientsonline.com currently has over 70 existing private label products live on its platform. Alongside the private label launch, the company also launched an Elderberry Gummy. The crimson-colored gummy is vegan, gluten-free and ready to be sold as a finished product.

US-based liquid herbal extracts company WishGarden Herbs launched five artisanal formulas: Clear Complexion Blemish Buster, Rise & Shine Daily Energy Boost, Magic Mint Breath Spray, Serious AM Cough Soothing Syrup and Serious PM Cough Soothing Syrup. The company also expanded its portfolio of whole herbs by introducing maca, schisandra and yerba mate. These three herbs are featured in the new Rise & Shine herbal tincture. The Magic Mint Breath Spray supports healthy microbial balance in the mouth. The Rise & Shine Daily Energy Boost nourishes the endocrine glands, nervous system, liver and brain for an all-day metabolic boost. Meanwhile, the Clear Complexion Blemish Buster nourishes the skin and supports healthy kidney and liver function. The Serious AM Cough Soothing Syrup and PM syrup alleviate coughs and promote restful sleep.

ChildLife Essentials, an infant and children’s nutritional supplements producer, unveiled its new product ChildLife Sleep Essential – an all-natural sleep support supplement free of melatonin. The formula combines a blend of herbal extracts with Suntheanine and ETAS to encourage healthy quality sleep. The Suntheanine is Taiyo’s proprietary form of L-theanine, an amino acid naturally found in green tea. Suntheanine can preserve sleep quality and foster a sense of calmness. ETAS is Amino Up’s proprietary enzyme-treated ingredient derived from asparagus stalks. ETAS may contribute to maintaining healthy sleep time, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.Prunes have the potential to aid in weight loss (California Prune Board).

Women’s CBD brand Sugar & Kush released its latest naturally flavored keto creation: CBD chocolate bars. They are available in Dark Chocolate, Cookies N Cream, and Milk Chocolate varieties. Sugar & Kush uses hemp-derived CBD isolate in all of itsproducts. These products aid in relieving stress, anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, migraines, PMS symptoms and chronic pain. It is recommended that the Sugar & Kush CBD Chocolate Bar should not be entirely consumed in one sitting as some consumers feel tired after its consumption.

In brief: Research and studies
An Australian study found people who respond well to the recommended dietary therapy of restricting intake of fermentable carbs for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have an abundance of particular types of bacteria in their gut. The finding opens up the potential for new treatments and better management of the condition, which affects up to 15% of people worldwide, say the researchers. The findings could also pave the way for developing a microbial signature to identify those who would respond best to a low FODMAP diet and better manage those who wouldn’t.

HPingredients Corp’s CitruSlim was found to be effective in reducing body weight in obese patients. CitruSlim reduces cortisol, cholesterol, triglycerides and hyperglycemia. These properties can reduce body weight or body mass index (BMI) in obese patients CitruSlim is a blend of Citrus bergamia and Eurycoma longifolia.

UK researchers showed how the inclusion of prunes in a structured weight management program – in place of usual snacks – is compatible with weight loss. The results of the studies have been welcomed by the California Prune Board, who have championed the health and nutritional benefits of prunes as a snack. The researchers concluded that dried fruit could produce satiety and be incorporated into a diet during weight management. Findings also revealed that participants who consumed prunes experienced more significant satisfaction, convenience, and ease of keeping to the diet program than the active weight management group without prunes.From left to right: Martin Westphal, Stefan Schaller, Dr. Jos Simons and Dr. Matthias Tyssen (Credit: Fresenius Kabi).

In brief: Appointments and awards
Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company, announced professor Stefan Schaller, doctor of medicine at Charité, Universitätsmedizin, Germany as the winner of its JUMPstart education program and research grant worth €250,000 (US$282,000). The announcement was made at the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) Congress. JUMPstart is an initiative that aims to nurture research in parenteral nutrition through the mentoring, education and networking of clinicians and researchers. The grant is awarded to help to advance community-led research in parenteral nutrition to make a difference for critically ill patients.

Prebiotic solutions provider, Clasado made three new appointments this week. Dr. Gediminas Baltulionis, Dr. Sophie Castle and Lana Vonkova joined Clasado as scientist and R&D specialist, nutritional scientist & HCP manager, regulatory affairs, and R&D support intern. The appointments mark the next significant step for Clasado as the business continues to extend the reach of its prebiotic GOS ingredient, Bimuno.

By Nicole Kerr