Along with creating 58 new everlasting jobs, the brand new manufacturing plant makes the corporate the “just one in Europe able to producing all energetic types of vitamin B12”, in response to Alexandre Valls-Coma, CEO at HTBA.
“Our origins in citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12 date again greater than 45 years, and this innovation undertaking marks an enormous milestone for HTBA,” he mentioned.
The Barcelona-based firm produces three forms of vitamin B12: MecobalActive, its methylcobalamin (MeCbl) ingredient; HydroxylActive, a hydroxocobalamin ingredient; and adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), branded as AdenoActive.
MeCbl is important for methylation reactions, together with the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which is vital for DNA synthesis and neurological perform, and AdoCbl is concerned in vitality metabolism, particularly within the mitochondria, the place it assists within the conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, a key step in fats and protein metabolism.
Hydroxocobalamin just isn’t biologically energetic by itself, however it may be transformed into energetic varieties within the physique.
HTBA’s funding includes advancing vitamin B12 manufacturing by way of ‘green-chemistry’ processes and in addition enabled the modernization of the corporate’s current citrus flavonoid manufacturing plant.
This has allowed for additional growth of its distinctive, patented manufacturing course of for a selected sort of flavonoid, diosmin—an ingredient that may assist promote blood circulation and deal with vascular discomfort.
This new manufacturing course of replaces synthetic solvents with water. In consequence, HTBA is now the one firm on the earth able to manufacturing diosmin with out using synthetic solvents.
Rising demand for coronary heart and mind well being dietary supplements
The corporate expects to see a continued improve in demand for practical well being options, significantly in coronary heart and cognitive well being.
As Valls-Coma defined, the cardiovascular well being complement market is ready to increase at CAGR of seven.9% by 2032, primarily pushed by customers in search of higher bodily efficiency, vitality and endurance.
Cognitive well being can also be gaining traction, with a reported 80% of customers valuing mind well being as a lot as bodily well-being.
Vitamin B12 is essential for cognitive well being as a result of it performs a key position in mind perform, nerve well being and pink blood cell manufacturing.
It helps the formation of myelin, the protecting coating round nerves that ensures clean communication between mind cells and is vital for neurotransmitter manufacturing which regulates temper and cognitive perform.
“Along with the €25 million capital expenditure within the manufacturing web site, we have now additionally made important investments in analysis and growth over the previous 4 years,” Valls-Coma mentioned. “We’re due to this fact completely poised to satisfy demand with our vary of science-backed vitamin B12 and flavonoid elements.”
