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SupplySide Global, Day 2: Supplier Diversity and Functional Innovation
Day 2 of SupplySide Global brought more new supplier connections and creative applications, with mitochondrial health emerging as a hot topic. India’s growing presence across both the supplement and food industries was also evident.
New sources and supply alternatives
We identified two new Indian suppliers of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), along with a new Indian supplier of fenugreek gum and fiber. The supplier highlighted fenugreek fiber’s low-FODMAP positioning, a point of interest for digestive health applications.
Supplier diversification was a recurring theme in starch discussions. GPC offers dent corn alternatives to waxy maize starches, emphasizing collaboration with customers’ R&D teams to find the best fit for each application rather than offering a one-to-one replacement. We also discovered a new cassava/tapioca starch supplier. More details will be included in the next Quarterly Review.
Innovation through application
Distributors showcased inventive products combining ingredients from across their portfolios. In some cases, their applications stood out as more innovative than those of their principals, who also had booths at the show.
- High-protein shakes and bars: Kerry’s ube vanilla high-protein shake delivered excellent flavor and texture, although no formulation handout was available. Ingredion featured a high-protein, high-fiber shake and a protein bar, while Cargill’s Dubai chocolate protein bar was another excellent offering.
- Protein and fiber gummies: Univar showcased a gummy containing Ingredion tapioca syrup and Cargill pectin. Its aerated, almost marshmallow-like texture was particularly appealing.
- Agave fiber: New to IMR, agave fiber was promoted as a texturizer for reduced-sugar and sugar-free beverages, helping restore the mouthfeel lost when sugar is removed.
Functional ingredients and delivery formats
Mitochondrial health attracted attention, with Nexira launching a product at the show aligned with this theme. Rousselot introduced Nextida Nxcogni, positioning collagen-derived ingredients for cognitive support, another example of the show’s emphasis on targeted functionality.
Gelita introduced a gelatin designed for softgel capsules that burst in the mouth, followed by rapid dissolution of the outer shell. The lightly flavored peppermint samples were tasty, and the shell dissolved in approximately 20 seconds. Gelita also introduced Curaderm, positioned as nutritional support for wound care.
Gellan gum applications
GBH, a newer gellan manufacturer, featured medium-acyl gellan gum in a ready-to-drink high-protein beverage and a gummy alongside Nura proteins and fibers. The applications demonstrated a useful combination of ingredients and marketing efforts. GBH’s brochure also offered a clear comparison of medium-acyl gellan with other gummy gelling systems, highlighting improved heat stability and stability across a broad pH range.
Day 2 highlighted the value of pairing new ingredient sources with thoughtful application development, from starch alternatives to functional beverages and novel supplement formats. If we didn't get a meeting on the books, IMR would still be happy to connect; please reach out!
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