In line with its long-term strategy to expand international sales, the Spain-based company has finalised two distribution agreements in Europe and one in Japan.
Deimos, a specialist in food ingredient and nutraceutical distribution, will distribute Nektium's portfolio in Italy and San Marino.
An Area Studi Mediobanca report published last year found that Italy has a 26% share of the supplement market, making it Europe’s most significant market, with Germany (18.8%), France (14.7%), the UK (9.5%), and Spain (7.2%) the closest.
The report also revealed that average per capita expenditure is around €64 in Italy, compared to €33 in Germany, €32 in France, and €21 in the UK.
Furthermore, Nektium has solidified its 10-year partnership with Becarre Natural, a French plant extract specialist, which will now serve as the exclusive distributor of Nektium's products in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
These partnerships come on the heels of Nektium's recent expansion into the mainstream food and beverage sector, extending beyond the dietary supplement and nutraceutical categories.
As a result, Nektium's ingredients can now be incorporated into various applications, including sports and energy drinks, dairy products, gummies, and cereal bars.
Portfolio
Nektium offers elderberry extracts from the Black Elder species, produced in European GMP facilities.
The extracts undergo an ID assessment program that includes fingerprint analysis for the identification and quantification of anthocyanins, DNA sequential barcoding for authenticity, and standardisation of biomarkers.
The standard elderberry extract, also available as organic certified material, contains 6% anthocyanins, known for their antioxidant properties which play a key role in neutralising free radicals.
Nektium also recently launched a new grade with 10% anthocyanins to meet the growing demand for more concentrated extracts.
Their immuno-stimulant ingredients also include an Echinacea angustifolia extract, which is designed to modulate the immune system and aid recovery from colds.
Popular with consumers, Echinacea has a long history of use, and research has found evidence for its immune-stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties.
Echinacea angustifolia is a species that is rich in the natural phenol echinacoside and contains alkylamides.
Nektium creates extracts from the roots and guarantees a minimum of 4% echinacoside.
Product Popularity
Bruno Berheide, Commercial & Partnerships Director, Nektium, states: “Since the onset of the pandemic, there’s been a huge demand for immune health products containing natural ingredients.
“Botanicals fit perfectly with what consumers want and the Confederation of British Industry has highlighted significant potential across Europe for immune-boosting botanicals.”
He explained that the demand for elderberry and echinacea has skyrocketed, noting that, with its abundant reserves of active components, particularly phenolic compounds like anthocyanins, elderberry has emerged as a top-selling ingredient.
Additionally, he explained that Echinacea has swiftly secured its position as one of the most sought-after ingredients in the realm of immune health noting: “It’s often taken to reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, and the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) has accepted it for supportive treatment of the common cold.”