04.01.10
Jungbunzlauer’s roots extend far back to Bohemia in the 1800s, when it was part of a distillery at the center of the sugar industry. Back then its focus was alcohol, but today it is known for producing a more industrial product—citric acid.
As the company’s fermentation technology evolved, advanced and expanded, Jungbunzlauer was able to create and supply more ingredients to the marketplace. Today, its wide portfolio of fermentation ingredients are produced at the company’s four production facilities in Austria, Germany, France and Canada.
During the last few years, Jungbunzlauer has moved beyond the production of its core products, citric acid and xanthan gum, to focus on specialty ingredients geared toward the health and wellness sector.
Through its HealthyChoice@Jungbunzlauer platform the company offers a range of organic mineral salts to the dietary supplement and functional food industries. Produced in Germany and Austria, Jungbunzlauer supplies: calcium citrate, calcium lactate gluconate, potassium citrate, potassium gluconate, magnesium citrate and zinc citrate. On the sweetener front, it produces the low-calorie natural sweetener erythritol at its France facility.
So what prompted Jungbunzlauer to enter the health and wellness market? According to Colleen Zammer, market development manager—Health & Nutrition, the company wanted to move into more specialty segments of consumer goods. “Organic mineral salts were a natural extension of our core organic acid products, and these minerals are the foundation of a number of consumer health benefits. Minerals are both functional and familiar to consumers, and organic minerals are more of a specialty item than standard inorganic minerals, which has proven to be a win-win for Jungbunzlauer,” she said, adding, “Health and wellness is an area that seeks differentiation and a natural base, and therefore was seen as a great fit for Jungbunzlauer, which could deliver on both.”
Some of its latest ingredient standouts include zinc citrate and magnesium citrate. “The newest addition to the HealthyChoice@Jungbunzlauer portfolio is zinc citrate, which was launched in 2009. This versatile mineral plays a role in hundreds of biological process that makes it critical and functional for all ages,” Ms. Zammer explained. “We have also reached a critical production threshold for magnesium citrate, which has enabled us to move production of that product to our high capacity production facility in Ladenburg, Germany. Use of magnesium citrate has become popular in the sports nutrition industry for its muscle recovery benefits, as well as in ‘anti-energy’ drinks for its calming effects.”
As for its flagship citric acid product, Jungbunzlauer is headed for the pharmaceutical market. “As we also serve the pharmaceutical industry, we recently achieved pharmaceutical grade status and a drug master file (DMF) for citric acid. We market this grade of citric acid as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to the pharmaceutical industry. We have offered pharma grade potassium citrate with a DMF since 2000 as well.”
Commenting on the state of the industry, Ms. Zammer said, “The nutraceuticals industry continues to ride the same cresting wave that it has for the last decade or so. The bad economy has hurt some segments while boosting others, and negative press has had its short-term impact as well.”
But, she pointed out, the industry is nothing if not resilient—one that always seems to bounce back and grow, despite obstacles that crop up along the way. “I believe this speaks to the fact that there is a general interest and need on behalf of consumers for natural, functional products that can support their health and wellness, prevent illness and allow them to lead healthy, productive lives.”
Where is Jungbunzlauer headed? “Jungbunzlauer plans to become and remain a major player in the nutraceuticals market,” Ms. Zammer stated. “Minerals will continue to play a fundamental role in human health and wellness, and research will also continue to uncover new mechanisms of action and benefits.”
For the future, she said, as new consumers enter the nutraceuticals marketplace, there will always be a more conservative segment that seeks and values the tried and true ingredients vs. the hot and trendy ones. “[The former] segment, and the finished goods manufacturers that supply it, are the ones Jungbunzlauer will remain focused on and committed to,” she said. “ We will innovate and evolve as well, with a focus on supporting clinical research for mineral claims, possibly expanding our organic mineral salt portfolio, and seeking new ingredient opportunities based on our natural fermentation technology.” —R.W.
Jungbunzlauer, Inc.
7 Wells Avenue
Newton Centre, MA 02459
Telephone: 617-614-0248
Fax: 617-964-2921
E-mail: colleen.zammer@
jungbunzlauer.com
Website: www.junbunzlauer.com
As the company’s fermentation technology evolved, advanced and expanded, Jungbunzlauer was able to create and supply more ingredients to the marketplace. Today, its wide portfolio of fermentation ingredients are produced at the company’s four production facilities in Austria, Germany, France and Canada.
During the last few years, Jungbunzlauer has moved beyond the production of its core products, citric acid and xanthan gum, to focus on specialty ingredients geared toward the health and wellness sector.
Through its HealthyChoice@Jungbunzlauer platform the company offers a range of organic mineral salts to the dietary supplement and functional food industries. Produced in Germany and Austria, Jungbunzlauer supplies: calcium citrate, calcium lactate gluconate, potassium citrate, potassium gluconate, magnesium citrate and zinc citrate. On the sweetener front, it produces the low-calorie natural sweetener erythritol at its France facility.
So what prompted Jungbunzlauer to enter the health and wellness market? According to Colleen Zammer, market development manager—Health & Nutrition, the company wanted to move into more specialty segments of consumer goods. “Organic mineral salts were a natural extension of our core organic acid products, and these minerals are the foundation of a number of consumer health benefits. Minerals are both functional and familiar to consumers, and organic minerals are more of a specialty item than standard inorganic minerals, which has proven to be a win-win for Jungbunzlauer,” she said, adding, “Health and wellness is an area that seeks differentiation and a natural base, and therefore was seen as a great fit for Jungbunzlauer, which could deliver on both.”
Some of its latest ingredient standouts include zinc citrate and magnesium citrate. “The newest addition to the HealthyChoice@Jungbunzlauer portfolio is zinc citrate, which was launched in 2009. This versatile mineral plays a role in hundreds of biological process that makes it critical and functional for all ages,” Ms. Zammer explained. “We have also reached a critical production threshold for magnesium citrate, which has enabled us to move production of that product to our high capacity production facility in Ladenburg, Germany. Use of magnesium citrate has become popular in the sports nutrition industry for its muscle recovery benefits, as well as in ‘anti-energy’ drinks for its calming effects.”
As for its flagship citric acid product, Jungbunzlauer is headed for the pharmaceutical market. “As we also serve the pharmaceutical industry, we recently achieved pharmaceutical grade status and a drug master file (DMF) for citric acid. We market this grade of citric acid as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to the pharmaceutical industry. We have offered pharma grade potassium citrate with a DMF since 2000 as well.”
Commenting on the state of the industry, Ms. Zammer said, “The nutraceuticals industry continues to ride the same cresting wave that it has for the last decade or so. The bad economy has hurt some segments while boosting others, and negative press has had its short-term impact as well.”
But, she pointed out, the industry is nothing if not resilient—one that always seems to bounce back and grow, despite obstacles that crop up along the way. “I believe this speaks to the fact that there is a general interest and need on behalf of consumers for natural, functional products that can support their health and wellness, prevent illness and allow them to lead healthy, productive lives.”
Where is Jungbunzlauer headed? “Jungbunzlauer plans to become and remain a major player in the nutraceuticals market,” Ms. Zammer stated. “Minerals will continue to play a fundamental role in human health and wellness, and research will also continue to uncover new mechanisms of action and benefits.”
For the future, she said, as new consumers enter the nutraceuticals marketplace, there will always be a more conservative segment that seeks and values the tried and true ingredients vs. the hot and trendy ones. “[The former] segment, and the finished goods manufacturers that supply it, are the ones Jungbunzlauer will remain focused on and committed to,” she said. “ We will innovate and evolve as well, with a focus on supporting clinical research for mineral claims, possibly expanding our organic mineral salt portfolio, and seeking new ingredient opportunities based on our natural fermentation technology.” —R.W.
Jungbunzlauer, Inc.
7 Wells Avenue
Newton Centre, MA 02459
Telephone: 617-614-0248
Fax: 617-964-2921
E-mail: colleen.zammer@
jungbunzlauer.com
Website: www.junbunzlauer.com
