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A leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) based in Bavaria, Germany, ABJ alive has quietly set the benchmark for quality in the dietary supplement industry for over 14 years. Initially specialising in premium natural extracts, its journey has become the foundation of a fast-growing European CDMO with bold plans for innovation and expansion. With a particular focus on hard capsules and recent investments in high-tech, automated machinery, ABJ alive maintains competitive pricing while upholding strict “Made in Germany” quality standards. Its certifications, such as IFS and compliance with HACCP standards, underscore its focus on quality. A cornerstone of its success is regular investment in state-of-the-art machinery, which has proven essential for developing and manufacturing high-quality nutraceuticals at scale. A focus on premium production is particularly vital for complex product categories like herbal and probiotic supplements, which require specialised expertise and equipment. This prerequisite is addressed with its high-output production environment, supported by a dynamic, customer-focused team that is well-versed in regulatory matters. From Idea to Market Launch ABJ alive’s journey from a niche CDMO to a leading partner for brands developing natural food supplements is rooted in its dedication to excellence and holistic service. The company built a reputation for prioritising natural components over synthetic alternatives. Continuing to handle challenging ingredients, such as plant-based extracts and probiotics, with a team of 70 employees and state-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging facilities, ABJ alive is now a one-stop shop for brands looking to bring innovative health supplements to market. The First Piece of a Bigger Picture While ABJ alive is a standout player within the dietary supplement space, the applicability of its competencies is set to elevate with the launch of a new European CDMO Group named 1Q Health. The founder and CEO Philipp Ziehr has an ambitious plan to develop a more integrated, cohesive network of successful CDMOs across Europe through a buy-and-build strategy. As the first acquisition under the 1Q Health umbrella, ABJ alive is building on its legacy of excellence, now ready to play a pivotal role in transforming the consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical industries across Europe. With more companies expected to follow in ABJ alive’s footsteps by early 2025, Ziehr’s vision for 1Q Health is for the group to become a leading CDMO partner. It aims to offer a comprehensive 360-degree service, covering everything from product development and market research to packaging, logistics and regulatory advice for businesses across Europe.
DrVita, makers of Nature’s Lab, produces high-quality dietary supplements based on advanced nutritional science. Prioritizing quality and purity, it meticulously develops each formula to provide essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and proteins, in the right forms and at optimal potency levels. It offers over 500 formulations in the form of capsules and softgels for both adults and children. DrVita’s products are available to consumers online and in-store. It also offers retailers a white-label product. “We are a flexible and true innovation partner for clients, as opposed to a typical contract manufacturer,” says Josh Minnick, vice president of sales, DrVita. “We invest time and effort in understanding customer requirements.” DrVita’s R&D and quality teams work with client formulation developers to ascertain the ingredients, quantities, and composition needed to develop each product. With its finger on the pulse of evolving consumer behavior, it helps deliver what the market needs. One example is its Ashwangandha-based supplement. The ayurvedic nutrient is known to lower cortisol levels, and DrVita offers it in the form of extract and organic root powder. Withanolides and other polyphenol plant compounds make it a powerful antioxidant. The product features patented KSM-66 Ashwagandha, which has passed 24 “Gold Standard” clinical trials. Another flagship product is Mushroom 7, a superior blend of seven ethically sourced medicinal mushroom species. It boosts the immune system, promotes cell health, and improves gut health. Products are developed in a 75,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility with a testing lab and state-of-the-art equipment from Bosch and L.L. Bohle. The manufacturing process begins after the formulation is identified and raw materials are sourced by a team that has built long-standing relationships with suppliers.
Chef Jason Schwartz, NDirector of Safety and Risk Management, SFE
Michael Teppner, Head of Global Marketing & Innovation BU Nutrition & Health Ingredients, GELITA
Adriano Dia, Chief Marketing Officer, Fyffes
Denis Vande Putte, Head of Quality - Beneo Orafti, BENEO
Ollie Rosevear, Director of Sustainability, Fuller, Smith & Turner
Dr. Claudia Durmus, Chief Technology Officer, Novataste
Victor Giansante, Chief of New Business and Product Officer, Boali
The European dietary supplements market is expanding due to health and wellness consumer awareness, targeting older adults, athletes, and niche nutritional needs, utilising scientific validation and regulatory compliance.
The European dietary supplement market is growing, driven by innovation, regulatory changes, and increasing consumer demand for preventive health,
The Future of Wellness through Personalised and Sustainable Innovation
Europe’s dietary supplement industry is on a transformative path, fuelled by consumer demand for effective, science-backed wellness solutions. With an eye on preventive health, companies are leveraging innovative, high-quality wellness products to offer targeted benefits, from immunity to cognitive support. The rise of personalised nutrition is driving the development of tailored supplements, with companies using advanced technologies like AI to create customised blends that meet individual needs. This shift towards specific, data-driven solutions leverages insights from DNA testing, lifestyle habits and personal health goals. Alongside personalisation, there’s a strong focus on sustainability and clean labelling. Manufacturers are adopting eco-friendly packaging, ethical sourcing and transparent ingredient lists, ensuring products are free from unnecessary fillers, preservatives and artificial chemicals. On a promise of these benefits, the global dietary supplement manufacturing market is estimated to reach $182.52 billion with a CAGR of 8.73 percent by the end of 2032. This edition of the Food Business Review Europe features a thought leadership article from Eric Ciappio, Senior Manager, Nutrition Science at Balchem Human Nutrition and Health who emphasises the increasing consumer interest in protein, especially plant-based sources and the need for adequate intake for in muscle health, body composition and energy across all life stages. It also features an article from Ollie Rosevear, Director of Sustainability at Fuller, Smith & Turner, who highlights the importance of sustainable sourcing in the coffee and tea industry, as well as the best practices to reduce carbon footprints in the supply chain. In this edition of Food Business Review Europe, we also bring you the story of the top dietary supplement manufacturers delivering valuable insights and solutions leading the companies to make informed decisions and giving them a competitive advantage. One of them is ABJ alive, which focuses on its role as a high-quality customer-centric contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) poised for growth and innovation as part of the 1Q Health group. In this edition featuring the Dietary Supplement Manufacturer of the Year in Europe 2024, we hope we find you the right partner to meet your organisation’s needs. Let us know your thoughts!