Botalys’ flagship ginseng ingredient to feature in global NPD following US supplier partnership

30 Apr 2019 --- Belgian rare medicinal plant producer Botalys is now the supplier of ginseng raw material for both Belgian company Nutrisan and US-based Terry Naturally Vitamins. The supplier partnerships are for Botalys’ flagship ingredient – hydroponic ginseng HRG80 – which will feature in upcoming launches from the companies. Botalys is currently active in Europe and the US, however, a company spokesperson tells NutritionInsight that Korea and Taiwan are markets it hopes to be active in as they are “demanding markets for ginseng but struggle to find quality ingredients.”

Ginseng roots are traditionally used as adaptogens, and therefore, the ingredient can enter in different compositions that can help to deal with burnout, stress or chronic fatigue, the spokesperson notes. Innova Market Insights has pegged adaptogenic products as a trend for 2019. Its no. 8 trend of the year is “I Feel Good,” denoting how consumers are increasingly in interesting in boosting their cognitive and brain health. This is causing the adaptogenic herb category to “thrive.” 

Botalys’ ginseng will feature in a product soon to be launched by Nutrisan – FocuSan. The new product contains a complex of B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12) and mostly HRG80 ginseng. FocuSan is marketed as helping to improve resistance against stress at work and overcome daily challenges. It will be available in pharmacies and parapharmacies without a prescription.

“Nutrisan has always been an advocate of using herbal ingredients with the most natural profile. This innovative technology of Botalys combines exactly what Nutrisan stands for: highest purity and efficacy respecting the natural phytomatrix. On top of this, we are proud to embrace Belgian technology that offers our customers unique strengths from nature,” says Wesley Guerra, Chief Innovation Officer at Nutrisan.

Botalys’ ginseng will be included in the composition of two new Terry Naturally products to be launched later in 2019. They will be distributed exclusively across the US and Canada mainly through independent pharmacies.

The news follows Botalys’ launch of its ginseng ingredient in January this year. The launch is to take place at Vitafoods Europe 2019, held in May in Geneva, and Natural Origins group will be in charge of its Western Europe distribution. 

New product launches featuring adaptogens, such as ginseng, have included various innovative delivery forms that include chocolates, chewing gums, nutritional bars, burgers, soft chews, gummy bears, juices, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, coffee, tea and granola. Teas appear especially popular for the use of adaptogens. The market researcher has noted that in 2017, 24 percent of all new product launches tracked with adaptogens were teas.

What makes Botalys’ ginseng different?
According to a company spokesperson, the ginseng ingredient is suitable for a range of applications, from for dietary supplements, medication to food and beverages.

Botalys has spent six years researching and developing HRG80 ginseng, allowing its teams to develop a unique, worldwide process of vertical hydroponics that allows cultivating ginseng in entirely controlled conditions and with respect for environmental impact. “This innovative process allows obtaining an ultra-pure ginseng powder boasting an exceptional and constant quality that we are today proud to offer to reference clients who share the same will of offering well-being through plants,” explains Paul-Evence Coppée, Co-CEO of Botalys.

The company tells NutritionInsight that it is now are studying other apoptogenic plants such as Rhodiola rosea with a launch foreseen in January 2021.

By Laxmi Haigh