iConnectHub
Access
Login/Register
Supplier Login
Asia Pacific is now shifting toward science-backed nutritional solutions. The region’s nutritional supplements market, valued at USD 192.44 billion in 2024, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.71% through 2030, based on a report from Grand View Research. This positions global ingredient suppliers to drive innovation in healthy aging across all life stages.
In the field of mineral chelated production, Balchem has decades of expertise and got over 150 legacy patents granted to its name. Five of its key ingredient brands: Albion® Minerals, Optifolin+®, VitaCholine®, OptiMSM®, and K2VITAL™ were showcased to the region’s manufacturers and consumers at Vitafoods Asia 2025.
At this event, Oliver Riemann, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager for Albion®, talked about consumer behavior in APAC and how Balchem is positioning its clinically validated innovations.
“In Asia, nutrition habits and how consumers value a healthy lifestyle and the quality of ingredients have changed over the last years. A decade ago, the region was dominated by commodity ingredients, particularly inorganic minerals like magnesium oxide. Inorganic minerals don’t show a very high bioavailability for the human body. But on the other hand, they are really cheap, and that drove their popularity,” he said.
Now, both consumers and brands are seeking more specialized solutions. This is a big opportunity for Balchem’s flagship brand, Albion®, which includes pioneering chelated minerals.
At Vitafoods Asia 2025, Oliver Riemann, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager for Albion®, talks to FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal about the company's key ingredient brands.
Chelation as a differentiator in mineral supplementation
Chelation refers to the process of binding a mineral to an amino acid to form a stable, bioavailable complex. “It forms a unique molecule, with the mineral in the middle—like magnesium or iron—and it’s wrapped with an amino acid. In our case, its glycine,” Riemann explained.
This structure improves both absorption and tolerability, giving chelated minerals higher bioavailability and absorption rate, so the body can utilize them better with little or no side effects.
Riemann mentioned iron as a key example, saying that other forms of iron, like inorganic iron sulfate, can cause gastrointestinal distress and constipation. “But the idea of chelation shields the iron away with the amino acid wrapping. That makes it tolerable to your body, so you don’t suffer from side effects, and your body absorbs up to five times more iron. That’s the main benefit.”
The mildness of Ferrochel®
Ferrochel® is a chelated iron supplement with extensive clinical validation. Balchem’s Ferrochel® is cited in over 22 publications and 14 of these used it in clinical studies to demonstrate its high absorption rate and reduced side effects compared to traditional iron salts.
“Our most recent milestone was an independent meta-analysis conducted at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver he said. “It combined 13 independent trials on ferrous bisglycinate in general and several of these cite Ferrochel® as the material used. That’s the gold standard of scientific proof.”
This makes Ferrochel particularly suitable for pregnant women and even children.
Balchem has data to show that pregnant women are not willing to stand the side effects of iron sulfate, the most widely used form of iron in supplementation. Their consumer research shows that over 50% of pregnant women who take ferrous sulfate stop their supplementation because of the GI distress they suffered.
“They would prefer to take the risk of malnutrition during pregnancy rather than take ferrous sulfate because they can’t accept the side effects. Ferrochel® can reduce the side effects by over 60%,” Riemann said.
Brands that are planning to enter the child nutrition space should consider the most tolerable iron with the strongest scientific backing, which is Iron Bisglycinate, like Ferrochel®, he suggested. “Iron is critical for cognitive development—it transports oxygen throughout the body. But iron can cause side effects, and you don’t want children to suffer from that.”
Earlier this year, OptiMSM® was granted Food with Functional Claims (FFC) approval by the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency (Source: Balchem)
Better sleep and relaxation with Magnesium Bisglycinate
“Just like iron, magnesium can cause tolerability issues. Magnesium citrate is a cheap source that’s widely used, but it causes laxative effects,” Riemann said.
In contrast, Albion® Minerals Magnesium Bisglycinate – a fully reacted amino acid chelate that binds magnesium to two glycine molecules - is proven to boost bioavailability and digestive tolerance. A clinical study also shows it is effective in reducing leg cramps, and that it is up to three times better absorbed compared to magnesium oxide or citrate.
The role of magnesium in relaxation is well-established, and Riemann noted growing market traction for its use in stress, sleep, and recovery. “The trend started about two years ago in the U.S. market. Brands and influencers now widely promote Magnesium Bisglycinate for mood and sleep support.”
It is important to note the synergy between magnesium and glycine: “You have health benefits from magnesium, and science tells you also glycine supports sleep. Magnesium bisglycinate brings both together—it is not a blend, it is a real molecule. The glycine is tightly bound to the magnesium,” Riemann explained.
This positions Magnesium Bisglycinate also as an alternative or a complement to melatonin. “Melatonin covers over 50% of the sleep support market, but it’s maturing—only growing 2% per year. Magnesium, on the other hand, is growing over 20% annually in this category.”
Riemann added: “Some consumers intentionally avoid melatonin. That’s where Magnesium Bisglycinate offers a differentiated solution and can be also well combined with GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) or ashwagandha to give it a further twist. It’s a big opportunity for brands to innovate.”
OptiMSM® for joint health and beauty from within
OptiMSM® impresses for its purity and versatility because MSM is distilled four times, unlike most companies that use crystallization instead. Distillation removes heavy metals, microbes—anything you don’t want—and leaves a very clean molecule.
Originally introduced for joint health and active aging, OptiMSM is also gathering pace in the beauty and personal care sector. “Asia Pacific is one of the most important markets for skin health—especially Korea, where OptiMSM has full approval for use in beauty products. That’s a milestone for the region.”
Clinical studies support OptiMSM’s beauty benefits. “We have evidence for skin health, and a brand-new study showing that it reduces the risk of hair loss,” Riemann said. “It’s evolving into a space where it fits perfectly with other ingredients like Zinc Bisglycinate, which supports hair, nails, and skin strength.”
Growth in the Asia Pacific
Riemann is optimistic about the Asia Pacific’s market potential, even though the region currently represents the smallest share of the company’s global turnover.
“Balchem is a US-based company, and the USA has been our home market for decades. If you just look at the turnovers we’re making today, Asia Pacific makes the smallest amount of contribution, but shows the highest growth rates. That’s one of the reasons why we believe it’s the right time and the right place to be in Asia Pacific,” he said.
“The region is continuing to grow significantly in supplementation and nutrition. Asian consumers and brands love convenient, innovative dose forms—liquid shots, ready-to-drink formats, sachets, jelly strips. Very trendy, very functional.”
Balchem is actively working with partners to adapt its ingredients to these formats. “We show customers how well our products fit into these new delivery systems.”
On the health benefit side, the focus is straightforward: “We’re going to continue convincing customers about chelated minerals, and that is to spread the word that this form has so much more to offer.”