Simplifying the Complex Journey of Supplement Creation
The quest to craft the perfect supplement involves a plethora of intricate decisions. Every element of supplement production, from determining the delivery format to procuring the correct materials, entails its share of compromises. This is particularly true when selecting ingredients, as their unique physical properties can pose potential challenges. The interaction between ingredients and excipients often requires adjustments to the process speed, output quality, flow, and formulation itself, which can complicate the creation of desired dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, powders.
The supplement market is projected to experience a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% through 2030, fueled by the rising consumer awareness of dietary supplements and an amplified focus on health, especially post the COVID-19 pandemic. As demand escalates, so does the necessity for versatile dosage forms to accommodate consumers’ lifestyles. However, this accentuates the importance of product creation, as the consumer seeks convenience, regardless of the manufacturer’s obstacles.
Confronting Manufacturing Obstacles Head-On
Formulating finished products often presents certain challenges which may discourage manufacturers from pursuing specific formulations. Tablet forms, despite their popularity, may be overlooked due to factors such as size, durability, and the choice of a suitable excipient. Similar challenges exist with capsules, demanding a delicate balance between the flow in the encapsulation machine and the required density within the capsules. Powdered supplements bring up solubility issues that must be skillfully navigated. Manufacturers are often faced with the dilemma of how to adequately address these challenges.
Typically, they resort to one of the following four options:
- In-house Problem-Solving: The production team might turn to the R&D team to devise a solution using the company’s internal resources. While sometimes successful, this approach may not always be feasible due to equipment or expertise limitations.
- Return to Supplier: If the procured ingredient doesn’t meet the product’s requirements, the manufacturer may revert to the supplier, requesting a more suitable or higher-quality product. However, this isn’t always a viable option as direct communication with the supplier isn’t guaranteed, or the supplier may not have an alternative or the capacity to customize.
- Collaboration with a Third-Party Processor: Engaging an external processor to refine the raw materials to meet the product specifications is another alternative. Although this offers access to necessary expertise and equipment, it incurs additional costs and extends the timeline.
- Acceptance of Sub-Par Processing: A less favorable option involves persisting with unsuitable raw materials and conceding to potential processing issues, or else abandoning the development of certain supplements with the given ingredients.
TSI’s OptiMized® Ingredients is Unraveling the Knots at the Root
Choosing from the aforementioned options inevitably entails compromises—higher costs or extended delivery timelines. However, the TSI Group presents a groundbreaking alternative. By partnering directly with a supplier capable of processing ingredients to be ready for specific operations, manufacturers can sidestep the need for compromise.
TSI’s OptiMized® Ingredients have proven their potential in various instances. Take creatine-based products as an example. Although popular, delivering them as soluble powders may not always be the most desirable due to the large dosage requirement and unpleasant taste. TSI’s solutions have enabled the successful creation of more compressible creatine, leading to smaller tablets, adaptable formulas, and efficient process flow.
Another example involves alpha-lipoic acid, a notably hygroscopic ingredient that can cause stickiness during the production process. This can lead to slow run speeds, broken capsules, and frequent interruptions for equipment cleaning. TSI’s carefully calibrated processing balances flow and density, thereby overcoming these challenges.
OptiMizing Ingredients with Experience and Expertise
By choosing a partner like TSI Group that delivers ingredients processed to preempt potential problems, operations can be streamlined significantly. Many compromises that arise later in the process could be mitigated if the right ingredient provider is chosen early in the product development and manufacturing stages.
TSI Group stands out as an experienced and reliable provider in this regard. With over 25 years of experience in ingredient manufacture, the TSI Group is well-equipped with full-scale finished dose operations and processing facilities. Their locations in China provide a strategic advantage as the majority of the world’s supplement ingredients are sourced from there. As a seasoned contract manufacturer in the space, TSI has confronted and surmounted many of the same issues as its customers, developing effective solutions along the way.
By harnessing TSI’s expertise, clients can save time, reduce expenses, and eliminate the headaches that arise from processing issues. This allows supplement manufacturers to concentrate on what truly matters: providing consumers with health-enhancing products. In essence, with TSI’s OptiMized®Ingredients, the need for compromise becomes a thing of the past.
References
1. Market Analysis Report
2. Statistica