Home / Insights / Formulating On-Trend Functional Gummies with Nature-Powered Ingredients

Formulating On-Trend Functional Gummies with Nature-Powered Ingredients

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Vegan and gelatin-free. Reduced sugar. Wellness and beauty from the inside for all ages. With our strategic market insights, you will learn about the latest trends from around the globe as well as your best ingredient options for formulating clean label-friendly, functional gummies. What ingredients offer the heat stability to capture more e-commerce sales? What ingredients will provide the consistent texture, structure and mouthfeel consumers desire? We will cover the nature-based possibilities for functional gummy formulation and answer your questions to help your brand stand out.

Looking for more on functional gummies?

During our webinar, we received many questions from attendees on topics such as heat stability, alternatives to gelatin, sugar free and fortification challenges, and more. Click the button below to see top questions and answers from our team of experts at CP Kelco innovation centers around the world.

Home / Insights / Pectin is Part of Who We Are

Pectin is Part of Who We Are

Did you know that the “CP” in CP Kelco stands for Copenhagen Pectin, the location of our first pectin plant? It was the nature-based ingredient that started it all for us almost 75 years ago. Today, as the world’s leading producer of pectin, we have expanded to three plants to serve our customers. With increasing demands for easy-to-understand, label-friendly ingredients, pectin is even more popular now for food, beverage and personal care applications.

Our sustainability story

1. Start with citrus peel byproducts

2. Byproduct is distilled into FERPEC™ fertilizer for nearby citrus orchards

3. Biomass boilers use steam from eucalyptus, a non-fossil fuel resource

4. Water byproduct is recycled as fertigation (fertilized irrigation) for eucalyptus & citrus crops

5. Leftover citrus peel is turned into Braspolpa™ animal feed

Start with citrus peel byproducts

Byproduct is distilled into FERPEC™ fertilizer for nearby citrus orchards

Biomass boilers use steam from eucalyptus, a non-fossil fuel resource

Water byproduct is recycled as fertigation (fertilized irrigation) for eucalyptus & citrus crops

Leftover
citrus peel is
turned into Braspolpa™ animal feed

From fruit tree to fertilizer, click the image above or button below to watch our short video to see how GENU^® Pectin is sustainably sourced and upcycled.

Amazing functionality

From thickening and gelling to stabilizing emulsions and foams, the special properties of pectin can be beneficial to solve a variety of personal care formulation challenges. For example, pectin is a preferred hydrocolloid for skin patches because of its ability to absorb moisture and provide wet adhesion. Pectin can enable formulation of non-wax sticks for color cosmetics containing water-soluble, active ingredients. It can also be used to prepare water-in-silicone emulsions.

Instead of dissolving when added to water, some pectin grades swell to form soft particles with a high moisture content that can provide an extra emollient texture to skin creams. The viscosity of pectin solutions can also be utilized to help evenly distribute and provide spreadability of hair conditioners and hair styling products with a smooth and silky appearance. By protecting against water loss, pectin is a great humectant in creams and lotions, and keeps skin pleasantly moisturized.

Applications

Skin creams and lotions
Masks and skin patches
Color cosmetics and mascara
Shampoos and conditioners
Hair color and hair styling products
Sun care

Pectin protects skin's acid mantle

Cleansers and soaps can increase skin’s pH levels and disturb the acid mantle, a very thin, slightly acidic surface layer that acts as a barricade to bad bacteria and pollutants. However, pectin can help you create skin care products that work with – not against – nature.

GENU^® pHresh Pectin can help restore the skin to its natural pH when it is affected by endogenous or exogenous factors. It has a gentle buffering capacity that can be used in formulations to help neutralize the alkalinity and bring the pH back into desirable levels that can help preserve skin’s acid mantle. With its unique pH balancing attributes, GENU^® pHresh Pectin helps support anti-irritation and soothing claims in skin care, tissues, scalp/hair care, shaving products and more.

Grades to suit your needs

Ask us about our ingredient grades to meet halal, kosher, COSMOS^® Certified, vegan, non-GMO and organic-compliant product claims. Let us show you how formulating with pectin can be the best move for your applications.

Looking for more information on pectin for personal care formulations?

Home / Insights / 4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies (+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies (+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

In this fast-growing category, there are several drivers shaping the future of functional gummies. Here, we outline four global trends plus three regional insights our team of innovation experts are following:

1. Going vegan.

The plant-based movement has successfully disrupted every food and beverage category, including confectionery. It challenges product developers to balance consumers’ desires and dietary preferences with ensuring a great sensory experience – while not adding too many steps to the manufacturing process. In gummies, that means finding a vegan and halal replacement for animal-derived gelatin.

The ideal candidate would be an ingredient that has a low set temperature, is easy to hydrate and offers good clarity, texture and flavor release to rival gelatin. Luckily, CP Kelco has a portfolio of nature-based ingredients for formulating vegan gummies, depending on your texture preference.

2. E-commerce for ease.

E-commerce has proven to be the game changer for functional gummies, allowing manufacturers to easily reach a global audience and giving consumers plenty of choices. However, gelatin melts at approximately 35° C (95° F). With e-commerce, your gummies can easily encounter unrefrigerated transportation and storage temperatures above this. CP Kelco can help you find a gelatin replacement like GENU^® Pectin and KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum that can stand up to the heat, so your gummies arrive in great condition.

3. Sugar-free, please.

There is a rise in demand for sugar-free gummies. Governments around the world are also implementing new food policies to encourage consumers to rethink their eating habits and hopefully reduce diet-related diseases such as diabetes by discouraging sugar consumption.

Traditionally, functional gummies contain between two and eight grams of sugar per serving on average. For reference, a sugar cube contains four grams, and the American Heart Association recommends only 25 grams of sugar daily for women and 36 grams of sugar for men. CP Kelco can help customers reformulate to reduce or remove sugar in gummies without losing the sensory experience.

4. Beauty from within.

According to Innova Market Insights, functional gummies for improving hair, skin and nails have experienced an average growth of +54% in launches (Global, CAGR 2017-2022). The APAC region led with 35% of launches in 2021, ahead of Europe (24%) and North America (14.5%). Fueled by younger generations, sales at China’s 2022 618 shopping festival were up 2,266%, according to Tmall Global, and searches for “beauty vitamins” are up 2,170% on boots.com in the UK.

Some view these “beauty bites” as the next step in inclusive beauty products, seeing all humans the same at the cellular level with no need to produce different shades for different skin tones. However, this year, a major beauty brand introduced the first 3D printed, personalized gummies tailored to the nutrient needs of an individual’s skin.

Formulating trends from around the world

With innovation centers across the world, our technical experts are well-positioned to spot trends as they happen. Here is what product developers are saying about formulating functional gummies in their regions:

Trends in Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Gummy bears were invented in Germany over 100 years ago. Today, with its strict quality standards, Germany has become a leader in the supplements market. Put the two together and you have a tasty and convenient format that Europeans love and trust. Sugar-free formulation is a big trend in EMEA.

Trends in Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Trends in the Americas

U.S. sales of functional gummies surged 74.8% in 2021, according to Nutrition Business Journal. North America is the largest market for functional gummies. Influencers and celebrities have made it even more popular by touting their favorite brands. New food labeling regulations in Brazil have made “no added sugar” a top claim there.

Trends in the Americas

U.S. sales of functional gummies surged 74.8% in 2021, according to Nutrition Business Journal. North America is the largest market for functional gummies. Influencers and celebrities have made it even more popular by touting their favorite brands. New food labeling regulations in Brazil have made “no added sugar” a top claim there.

Trends in Asia-Pacific

Despite India’s rich history with kadhas (natural remedies), busy consumers often do not have time to prepare them so functional gummies are gaining ground for convenience. Pectin is a top texture choice for its chewability. In Japan, product development is very targeted, catering to different ages and wellness needs. In China, vegan gummies are the new market favorite, replacing animal-based gelatin.

Trends in Asia-Pacific

Get that great gummy texture with CP Kelco's portfolio

Along with the trends, texture plays a vital role in determining consumer demand. With 90 years of global experience, we are the texture innovator with the knowhow to exceed consumer expectations. Contact us to learn more about how CP Kelco’s unique portfolio of responsibly sourced, nature-based ingredients and technical expertise can help you fast track your next big idea in functional gummies.

Home / Insights / Something to Chew On: How Functional Gummies Got So Popular So Fast

Something to Chew On: How Functional Gummies Got So Popular So Fast

With help from the ever-growing wellness trend, global sales of functional gummies are expected to reach $13.5 billion by 2027, according to the research firm Markets and Markets. Originally introduced as a children’s product, gummies have proven to be popular with all demographics.

For adults with pill fatigue or who have trouble swallowing, gummies are an enjoyable and convenient format to encourage repeat consumption. For those that regularly take health supplements, gummies taste like a sweet treat compared to pills and powders. Younger generations see the “fun” in functional, viewing them as a trendy combination of snack and supplement. The Wall Street Journal even joked that functional gummies are “the only way Gen Z will take a vitamin.”

Formulating with
quality ingredients

Formulating with quality ingredients

Along with the trends, texture plays a vital role in determining consumer demand. With 90 years of global experience, we are the texture innovator with the knowhow to exceed consumer expectations. Allow us to introduce you to some of our top picks from our unique portfolio of responsibly sourced, nature-based ingredients:

GENU^® Pectin

GENU^® Pectin is upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry. A consumer favorite for many years with a great sustainability story, pectin is considered to be the preferred, vegan-friendly choice with a taste and texture to replace gelatin. GENU^® Pectin also tolerates salts, minerals and vitamins common to functional gummy formulations.

It provides benefits that gelatin cannot deliver, such as heat stability to combat the harsh temperature fluctuations of e-commerce. GENU^® Pectin adds a soft gummy texture with excellent flavor release and uniform gelling properties to create the appearance consumers expect. CP Kelco offers a wide range of pectin solutions, including grades to support organic label claims and enable easier sugar-free gummy development.

GENU^® Carrageenan

GENU^® Carrageenan comes from farmed red seaweed. This nature-based ingredient has been used for centuries as a very effective gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer.

It has high heat stability, rapid setting for starchless molding, and provides a soft, chewy texture for creating vegan gummies and strips. Ask about grades to support organic and non-GMO claims.

GENU^® Carrageenan comes from farmed red seaweed. This nature-based ingredient has been used for centuries as a very effective gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer.

It has high heat stability, rapid setting for starchless molding, and provides a soft, chewy texture for creating vegan gummies and strips. Ask about grades to support organic and non-GMO claims.

KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum

KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum originates from naturally occurring bacteria on water lily plants and is now produced using a fermentation process to develop an ingredient with identical composition while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring uniform quality. Suitable for vegan and organic formulations, it helps product developers create easy-to-chew, gelatin-free gummies with excellent clarity/transparency and flavor release.

Gellan gum also offers good gelation and texture at a low use level. Heat stable in a range of pH conditions, the low hot viscosity helps it flow well into molds so you can create intricately shaped gummies.

4 Top Trends in
Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

There are several drivers shaping the future of functional gummies. See the four market trends that will make this category even bigger, plus insights from every region that our innovation experts are closely watching.

4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

Home / Insights / Water You Doing About Sustainability in Your Personal Care and Home Care Formulations?

Water You Doing About Sustainability in Your Personal Care and Home Care Formulations?

One of the United Nations’ top sustainability goals is ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. Around the globe, water availability is becoming less predictable and threatening biodiversity. Predicting a 40% shortfall in freshwater resources by 2030, the UN General Assembly launched the Water Action Decade in 2018 to help transform how we manage water.

The personal care and home care industries are heavily dependent on this precious natural resource and are taking action. A growing trend involves reformulating with less water and compact formats. How can you switch to a low- or no-water formulation without compromising on consumer experience? See how bio-based ingredients, functionality and efficiency work together to create high-performance yet eco-conscious products consumers love.

Here's how CP Kelco is reducing impact & closing the loop on circularity

Eliminate Waste

Commit to zero waste* to landfill by recycling and upcycling

Manufacturing

Continuously improve energy and water efficiency in manufacturing process

Product Design

Think readily biodegradable, compact, waterless formats

Raw Materials

Prioritize renewable, bio-based ingredients and regenerative agricultural practices

Product Design

Think readily biodegradable, compact, waterless formats

Raw Materials

Prioritize renewable, bio-based ingredients and regenerative agricultural practices

Manufacturing

Continuously improve energy and water efficiency in manufacturing process

Eliminate Waste

Commit to zero waste* to landfill by recycling and upcycling

*Defined as >90% waste diversion from landfill

Bio-based ingredients: What are they and how do they help?

Bio-based ingredients are derived from plants and other renewable materials to help product developers reduce their reliance on petroleum. Bio-based products like our ARBALON^® Cellulose Liquid and CELLULON^® Cellulose Liquid contribute to a circular economy approach. They are produced from fermentation-derived cellulose with the idea of protecting natural resources and the health of ecosystems, optimizing product efficiency and helping to eliminate waste.

What is Fermentation-Derived Cellulose?

• Forms a unique 3D net to suspend beads, scrubbers and more

• Effective in low or no water formulations

• Biodegradable

• Very low use level needed

• Produced by microbial fermentation of similar bacteria to nata de coco

It’s a unique and ready-to-use liquid solution that stabilizes in a wide range of surfactant-based formulations with minimal impact on final product viscosity. Standing out in a competitive market often requires functional, visual and sensory differentiation, which can be accomplished by the suspension of useful ingredients. FDC enables the suspension of materials such as fragrance beads, pearlescent, botanicals and other functional material – even in clear or translucent, no- and low-water systems.

What is Fermentation-Derived Cellulose?

• Forms a unique 3D net to suspend beads, scrubbers and more

• Effective in low or no water formulations

• Biodegradable

• Very low use level needed

• Produced by microbial fermentation of similar bacteria to nata de coco

Personal and home care applications for fermentation-derived cellulose

Consider bio-based ingredients made from fermentation-derived cellulose like CELLULON^® Cellulose Liquid and ARBALON^® Cellulose Liquid, proven effective in low-to-no water, compact formulations.

Click the icons above to explore key applications.

Access the latest research and tips for adopting a

circular approach to your personal care or home care product.

Access the latest research and tips for adopting a

circular approach to your personal care or home care product.

Home / Insights / What is Halal Beauty? Are Your Products Ready for the New Laws?

What is Halal Beauty? Are Your Products Ready for the New Laws?

More and more consumers are seeking information about the origin of ingredients used in their products. This includes Muslim consumers, who make up almost one-fourth of the world’s population and rely on halal certification for guidance. Halal is an Arabic word referring to ingredients permissible with Islamic standards. As it turns out, halal certification can benefit everyone.

Think of halal certification as almost synonymous with quality assurance. It verifies that an ingredient is sourced, manufactured, produced and packaged according to the highest standards of ethical values, purity and cleanliness. It covers not only the ingredient itself but all processes right up to distribution.

The entire production chain must be thoroughly inspected – from raw materials and sourcing to processing, handling and packaging – and found to have an optimum level of cleanliness that is free of any contact with impurities. Sanitation procedures are rigorous and well-documented. No alcohol may be used and any machinery in the production and packaging lines must not come in contact with what are deemed impurities.

What does halal certification forbid?

Among other things, products must not contain pork, human ingredients (such as stem cells), genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or alcohol*. Other animal-derived ingredients are permissible only if the extraction or slaughter is conducted in a very specific manner to minimize suffering and complies with certain criteria for cleanliness. Animal testing is also forbidden.

The term halal is most often applied to consumable foods; however, the same criteria is used to certify ingredients for personal care and beauty products. This is because many consider skin to be the body’s largest and most absorptive organ. So, while these products are applied topically to the skin, it is believed that the body is capable of consuming ingredients indirectly.

Is halal the same as vegan?

Not necessarily. Vegan products do not contain any animal-derived raw materials, but they might use ethanol alcohol, which would make them unable to qualify for halal certification. Also, some animal-derived products are permissible under halal compliance, including beeswax and honey.

Do any countries require halal certification?

Indonesia has implemented a halal product mandate, an “omnibus
law” that requires cosmetics, foods and beverages, and non-food products imported, distributed and traded to be certified as halal. The mandate went into effect in 2019. Brands have until 2026 to implement it.

Saudi Arabia recently introduced regulations that will require halal certifications on most ingredients that enter the kingdom. Other countries that have strict halal regulatory requirements include Malaysia, Brunei and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region of Middle Eastern countries. In other predominantly Muslim countries, it just makes good business sense to offer halal-certified products.

What ingredients does CP Kelco produce to halal standards?

All of CP Kelco’s seven manufacturing sites have undergone the rigorous halal certification process conducted by an independent third party. This includes not just our products, but the required testing for porcine DNA, salmonella and alcohol levels in each site.

Along with having a highly functional portfolio of nature-based ingredients, CP Kelco has proactively implemented the process of achieving halal certification to help support the needs of companies so they can succeed without delay or worry in every market.

*Products must have less than 0.1% alcohol to qualify as halal. At this level, one cannot taste, smell or see the alcohol, a criterion generally applied for impurities. Some certification groups may have different guidelines.

Looking for more on halal-certified ingredients?

Home / Insights / New Uses for the Consumers’ Favorite, Pectin

New Uses for the Consumers’ Favorite, Pectin

GENU^® Pectin from CP Kelco: Solving Market & Customer Needs for 75 Years

Did you know that the P in CP Kelco stands for Pectin? As the world’s leading producer of pectin, we are proud to serve the food, beverage and personal care industries. GENU® Pectin was the nature-based ingredient that started it all for us almost 75 years ago.

With increasing demands for easily recognizable and sustainably sourced, clean label products, pectin is even more relevant today. Our pectin can be found in everything from functional gummies to jams and jellies, dairy products, plant-based alternatives and skincare.

Our sustainability story

We take a circular approach to ingredient development by starting with what Mother Nature gives us. GENU® Pectin is upcycled from citrus peels, an abundant and sustainably sourced byproduct of the juice industry. We use as little freshwater as possible in processing.

Whatever is left over from our production process is turned into beneficial side products, such as fertigation (fertilizer + irrigation) for nearby crops and our patented, nutritious BRASPOLPA® animal feed for local farms. Even surplus heat from our production process at the Skensved, Denmark plant is repurposed for use in 2,200 neighboring homes, reducing both water usage and carbon emissions.

From fruit tree to fertilizer, watch our short video to see how GENU® Pectin is sustainably sourced and upcycled.

What's new?

You know pectin is a great product when formulators keep finding more and more uses for it. Led by its popularity with younger generations, sales of functional gummies have risen by 67% (CAGR 2017 – 2021), according to Innova Market Insights 2022 Lifestyle & Attitudes Survey. Pectin can act as an animal-free alternative to gelatin in functional gummies, allowing it to be marketed with a vegan claim.

Pectin provides a pleasing texture and taste, is tolerant to calcium and minerals, and enables sugar-free formulations. The other exciting benefit is that functional gummies made with pectin have better heat stability compared to gelatin. So, heat waves and unrefrigerated transportation or storage will not have a harmful effect on product outcome.

If pectin can help gummies stand up to heat, they gain another advantage over gelatin: online sales possibilities. Since the pandemic, e-commerce has become the “most powerful player in the supplements space,” which includes functional gummies, according to a recent article by Natural Products Insider. Citing supporting data from Nutrition Business Journal, e-commerce comprised almost 25% of total sales in 2022 because it allows for “infinite shelf space.”

As a plant-based ingredient, pectin has great compatibility with plant-based yogurt alternatives. It helps to protect and stabilize protein, while adding creamy texture with a very pleasant mouthfeel. GENU® Explorer Pectin can also act as a starch alternative in plant-based drinking and spoonable yogurt alternatives, helping to eliminate a step for potential cost savings and allow for one less ingredient on the label.

Pectin can also help formulators in the fast-growing plant-based burger alternatives segment by adding juiciness and providing a chewy, meat-like eating experience.

Looking for more on functional gummies?

Our sustainability story

1. Start with citrus peel byproducts

2. Byproduct is distilled into FERPEC™ fertilizer for nearby citrus orchards

3. Biomass boilers use steam from eucalyptus, a non-fossil fuel resource

4. Water byproduct is recycled as fertigation (fertilized irrigation) for eucalyptus & citrus crops

5. Leftover citrus peel is turned into Braspolpa™ animal feed

Start with citrus peel byproducts

Byproduct is distilled into FERPEC™ fertilizer for nearby citrus orchards

Biomass boilers use steam from eucalyptus, a non-fossil fuel resource

Water byproduct is recycled as fertigation (fertilized irrigation) for eucalyptus & citrus crops

Leftover citrus peel is turned into Braspolpa™ animal feed

From fruit tree to fertilizer, click the image above or button below to watch our short video to see how GENU® Pectin is sustainably sourced and upcycled.

Amazing functionality

Applications

Skin creams and lotions

Masks and skin patches

Color cosmetics and mascara

Shampoos and conditioners

Hair color and hair styling products

Sun care

Pectin protects skin's acid mantle

Grades to suit your needs

Looking for more information on pectin for personal care formulations?

RELATED CONTENT

Good Day, Fresh Face! Facial Cream Recipe

1. Going vegan.

2. E-commerce for ease.

3. Sugar-free, please.

4. Beauty from within.

Formulating trends from around the world

Formulating trends from around the world

Trends in Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Trends in Europe, the Middle East & Africa

Trends in the Americas

Trends in the Americas

Trends in Asia-Pacific

Trends in Asia-Pacific

Get that great gummy texture with CP Kelco's portfolio

Formulating with quality ingredients

Formulating with quality ingredients

GENU® Pectin

GENU® Pectin

GENU® Carrageenan

GENU® Carrageenan

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

RELATED CONTENT

4 Top Trends inFunctional Gummies (+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

RELATED CONTENT

4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies (+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

Here's how CP Kelco is reducing impact & closing the loop on circularity

Eliminate Waste

Manufacturing

Product Design

Raw Materials

Product Design

Raw Materials

Manufacturing

Eliminate Waste

Bio-based ingredients: What are they and how do they help?

What is Fermentation-Derived Cellulose?

• Forms a unique 3D net to suspend beads, scrubbers and more

• Effective in low or no water formulations

• Biodegradable

• Very low use level needed

• Produced by microbial fermentation of similar bacteria to nata de coco

What is Fermentation-Derived Cellulose?

• Forms a unique 3D net to suspend beads, scrubbers and more

• Effective in low or no water formulations

• Biodegradable

• Very low use level needed

• Produced by microbial fermentation of similar bacteria to nata de coco

Personal and home care applications for fermentation-derived cellulose

Access the latest research and tips for adopting a

circular approach to your personal care or home care product.

Access the latest research and tips for adopting a

circular approach to your personal care or home care product.

What does halal certification forbid?

Is halal the same as vegan?

Leftover
citrus peel is
turned into Braspolpa™ animal feed

From fruit tree to fertilizer, click the image above or button below to watch our short video to see how GENU^® Pectin is sustainably sourced and upcycled.

Formulating with
quality ingredients

GENU^® Pectin

GENU^® Pectin

GENU^® Carrageenan

GENU^® Carrageenan

KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum

KELCOGEL^® Gellan Gum

4 Top Trends in
Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

GENU^® Pectin from CP Kelco: Solving Market & Customer Needs for 75 Years