At Fi/Hi Europe, Omya presented functional ingredients for the creation of safe and natural clean-label products

Oftringen (Switzerland), December 2022 – Mineral expert Omya used Fi/Hi Europe to showcase a range of natural mineral ingredients that address processing challenges while also offering health benefits. Non-nano Omyafood® 120 and Omya Calcipur® are two new flow aids that offer superb anticaking functionalities while providing a source of calcium. Particles provide a highly porous structure with high moisture binding capacity to assist in the free flow of all kinds of powders, without lumping or dusting. Also, the very fine particles are ideally suited for applications requiring a reduction in mechanical interlocking or colour enhancement thanks to the ingredient’s characteristic white pigment.

Though powders in convenience foods, drinks, sports nutrition, and nutraceuticals are often in high demand, there are frequent processing challenges, such as powders caking due to temperature and moisture, resulting in a loss of quality in the finished product. Highly porous and non-nano Omyafood® 120 particles counteract these issues thanks to their strong absorption and moisture-binding capabilities. Their advanced porous structure also means reduced mechanical interlocking. The low-dust ingredient not only enhance flow but also allow for improved storage and product quality throughout the supply chain, resulting in better performance for the end user. The Calcipur® range of products can be used for a broad range of applications: to enrich vegan drinks with Calcium, increase the crispiness of wafers and create brilliant white-coated chocolate lentils – all demonstrated with inspirations and prototypes at the show.

For nutraceutical applications, the two innovative excipients Omyanutra® 300 DC and Omyanutra® 300 Flash, were presented. Their extremely fast disintegration is possible due to a porous structure that supports the safe carrying and release of active ingredients. Both ingredients allow for free-flowing, directly compressible blends and provide better compatibility at low compression forces than benchmark excipients such as lactose and microcrystalline cellulose. Omyanutra® 300 Flash contains a superdisintegrant making it a perfect all-in-one solution for orally and fast-dissolving tablets (ODTs/FDTs) regardless of the hardness of the solid dosage form.

A perfect round-up for the company’s own innovations were the products from the distribution portfolio. Showcased for the first time was a new range of all-natural very fine dietary-fibres from apple, oat, and cocoa – all suitable for clean label products and without chemical treatment or E numbers. By increasing the healthy fibre content of the formulation, the micronized powders allow a health or nutrition claim to be made for the final product. Moreover, the ingredients serve as binders, colourants, and anti-caking agents, supporting a smooth production process.

Stefan Lander, Vice President Consumer Goods, Group Sales & Marketing at Omya, says: “For more than 130 years, Omya has been committed to producing sustainably processed, high-quality ingredients using state of the art technology to achieve utmost functionality while also respecting nature. We are happy that our mineral specialities and exclusive distribution portfolio allow manufacturers to create futureproof finished products that are natural, effective and easy to process.”