Press release
Nutrition & Care
September 27, 2017

Evonik launches ground-breaking omega-3 product for dietary supplements

  • Powder with highest omega-3 fatty acid concentration 
  • Product exhibits outstanding bioavailability 
  • Suitable for small, easy-to-swallow tablets

Evonik will present an entirely new type of omega-3 product at the SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA).

AvailOm® is a high-concentration omega-3 lysine complex that exhibits excellent bioavailability and stability. As the highest load omega-3 powder with a minimum of 45 percent EPA and DHA by weight, it is designed to reduce the number of daily dosage forms.

“With AvailOm®, EPA and DHA are absorbed as free fatty acids; there is no need for enzymatic conversion. The bioavailability of our product is therefore three to five times higher than with traditional fish oil capsules containing liquid omega-3 ethyl esters,” explains Dr. Ludger Eilers, responsible for Advanced Food Ingredients within Evonik’s Health Care Business Line.

Conventional soft gel capsules are expensive to produce, and yet do little to protect their contents against aggressive gastric acid. This can lead to unpleasant fishy reflux. In contrast, the AvailOm® powder can be efficiently pressed into compact tablets that are small and easy to swallow. When combined with one of Evonik’s EUDRAGUARD® polymer coatings, it will also prevent fishy reflux.

A single, small tablet made from AvailOm® is equivalent to the same omega-3 fatty acid uptake as from two large fish oil capsules. As a result, it is a convenient way to meet health organizations’ recommendation of several hundred milligrams of EPA and DHA per day.

The fish oil raw material used to create the high-quality omega-3 lysine complex is sourced from carefully selected suppliers. Furthermore, AvailOm® is manufactured in Europe to high quality standards. The powder has proved to be extremely stable and easy to process in all tests.
In addition to being cleared for sale in the USA (both NDI and GRAS), Evonik is pursuing registration in Europe and other markets. It is suitable as a stand-alone omega-3 tablet or capsule, or in combination with other ingredients, such as vitamins, to produce a variety of consumer-friendly, solid and powder dietary supplements.

With the launch of AvailOm®, Evonik continues to expand its portfolio of advanced food ingredients, which is one of six innovation growth fields where the enterprise is focusing its efforts. The portfolio includes naturally occurring ingredients with scientifically proven health benefits, as well as nutraceutical coating technologies that help ensure the health ingredients are released in the human body at the right time and location.

Evonik will showcase AvailOm®, as well as its other products and formulation development services, at SupplySide West in Las Vegas – both at its stand (F115) and during a presentation (27 September, 3:00-3:50 PM). More than 15,000 visitors are expected to attend, making it one of the most important annual events for buyers and suppliers in the global nutraceutical market. 


About Evonik
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 35,000 employees. In fiscal 2016, the enterprise generated sales of around €12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.165 billion.

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 7,500 employees, and generated sales of around
€4.3 billion in 2016.

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.