Press release
Health Care
September 2, 2020

Evonik expands AvailOm® high-load omega-3 powder platform for dietary supplements tailored to healthy agers, vegans, pregnancy and other consumer groups

  • AvailOm® is the highest load omega-3 in its class with superior bioavailability, stability and convenience
  • A high DHA grade of AvailOm® derived from algae plus high EPA and DHA grades derived from fish oil are now available
  • AvailOm® enables differentiated omega-3 and multi-ingredient supplements tailored to specific applications

Evonik today announced the expansion of its AvailOm® platform of high-load omega-3 powders to help nutraceutical companies develop superior algal or fish-oil based formulations of their dietary supplements. Each of the three grades is tailored to address the lifestyle needs of consumer groups, such as vegans and vegetarians, or specific application areas such as healthy ageing, pregnancy and maternity.

AvailOm® is the highest-load platform of omega-3 powders in its class with 50% EPA and DHA (refer to footnote) as a free fatty acid by weight, giving it a bioavailability more than five times higher than traditional omega-3 fish oil soft-gel capsules. Being directly compressible into tablets and with an oxidation resistance of more than four years, AvailOm® enables the development of pure or multi-product combination supplements with omega-3 that are more convenient and easier to swallow. It can also prevent side-effects associated with fish oil capsules including undesirable smells and aftertaste, or fishy burps.

“AvailOm® highlights Evonik’s commitment to the development of advanced food ingredients that are sustainable and scientifically proven to improve health and overall quality of life,” said Cornelis van den Muyzenberg, Vice President Food Ingredients and Strategic Projects. “We look forward to leveraging our AvailOm® platform, as well as our complementary formulation and scale-up services, to help nutraceutical customers create differentiated supplement brands that are safe, convenient and comfortable for consumers to take as part of their normal daily routine.”

“With this expansion of our AvailOm® platform, nutraceutical companies can further differentiate their supplement brands by selecting from one of three separate grades that are each tailored to specific consumer groups or health areas,” said Dr. Christopher Studte, Director New Health Ingredients at Evonik. “In addition to the provision of guidelines that can help optimize the use and handling of AvailOm®, a range of formulation development and scale-up services are available to help customers accelerate their speed to market.”

AvailOm® 50 High DHA Algae has a higher concentration of the type of omega-3 known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is associated with infant development, eye health and cognition function. Being derived from algal sources, it is ideal for use by vegans and vegetarians, especially during pregnancy or early motherhood. An additional fish-oil based DHA grade known as AvailOm® 50 High DHA is also available.

AvailOm® 50 High EPA has a higher concentration of the type of omega-3 known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is associated with heart and joint health as well as reduced inflammation, making it ideal for consumers seeking supplements that support healthy ageing.

All grades of AvailOm® are sustainably sourced to protect not only fish and krill, but other marine life that depend upon them.

Evonik will host a free webinar on best practices and emerging trends in the formulation of combination products with omega-3 on Thursday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. CEST. For more information and to register, click below.

Company information

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €13.1 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.15 billion in 2019. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. More than 32,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life, day by day.

About Nutrition & Care

The Nutrition & Care segment is led by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH and contributes to fulfilling basic human needs. That includes applications for everyday consumer goods as well as animal nutrition and health care. This segment employed about 8,200 employees, and generated sales of around €4.6 billion in 2019.

About Availom®

AvailOm® utilizes a proprietary process to combine free fatty acids and essential amino acids to form a solid omega-3 lysine complex with unmatched properties. This technology allows EPA and DHA to be readily absorbed without any requirement for the body to break down ethyl ester or triglyceride forms for their uptake. AvailOm® is cleared for marketing within Europe and the U.S as well as many other countries. For further product or regulatory information on AvailOm®, contact Evonik at healthcare@evonik.com or visit the AvailOm® website page here.

About omega-3

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids that must be consumed either by the intake of certain foods, or via dietary supplements. Only marine or algal-based sources contain the most beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Multiple clinical studies support the potential benefits of omega-3 supplements for a healthy heart, brain, joints and eyes, as well as many other applications. However, more than 80% of the world’s population are deficient in omega-3, with much of North America and Europe being well below the recommended omega-3 index of 8%, representing the percentage of EPA plus DHA of total fatty acids in red blood cells. The World Health Organization and other health and nutrition-focused organizations recommended a daily intake of between 250 and 500 mg of EPA plus DHA. This effective uptake is equivalent to 200 g of Scottish salmon, two large standard fish oil soft-gel capsules, or a single small tablet of AvailOm®. Due to increasing consumer demand, the global omega-3 market is expected to grow from $US 4 billion in 2019 to $8.5 billion in 2025.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.