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More and more people around the world are turning to food and beverages that offer them functional added value and are tailored to their personal needs. This growing demand is also reflected in a survey conducted by Innova Market Insights: 42 % of respondents said that a product’s health benefits were a key quality criterion for them. According to the survey, one in five is willing to pay more for functional ingredients that address specific health issues (Innova Market Insights: Global Ingredient Trends 2025).

How manufacturers score in the marketplace

This opens up a wide range of innovation opportunities for food and drink manufacturers. By highlighting certain ingredients on the packaging, the functional added value of a product can be better communicated and health-conscious target groups appealed to. The micronutrient experts at SternVitamin help manufacturers to develop innovative products that are tailored to specific target groups and at the same time enable health claims to be made. Based on nutritional trends, the company develops customized micronutrient premixes that reflect current market demand in line with trends.

Personalised nutrition as a key topic

Personalised nutrition was highlighted as one of the key themes in Innova’s Nutrition Trends 2025 study (Innova Market Insights: Top 10 F&B Trends 2025). “Consumers are increasingly attaching importance to products that are specifically tailored to their stage of life or their specific health needs. This applies to dietary supplements as well as to food and beverages,” explains Anna Schäfer, Junior Product Manager at SternVitamin. SternVitamin’s focus is particularly on women’s health. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause mean that women of different ages and stages of life want to actively support their bodies. With premix solutions such as SternWoman 45+, which contains plant extracts such as green tea and blackcurrant extract in addition to various vitamins and minerals, SternVitamin supports interested companies from idea generation to product development.

From nutrition trends to functional products – focus on micronutrients

As Innova’s nutrition trends show, there is growing interest in a wide range of health trends, and increasingly in products with functional added value. With an annual growth rate of 6.4 %, this trend is also reflected in the market for new products enriched with vitamins and minerals (Innova Market Insights, CAGR 2020-2024).

The “beauty from within” trend represents a holistic approach to health that aims to enhance beauty from within. For example, vitamins such as A, C and E are important for a strong skin barrier, while various B vitamins are important for beautiful and healthy hair.

In addition to physical health, consumers are also interested in mental health. Globally, 36 % of respondents cite mental and emotional wellbeing as a primary health goal (Innova Lifestyle & Attitudes Survey, 2024). In line with this, SternVitamin has developed the Matcha Wafer Snack with the SternPowerUp premix, which supports cognitive performance with a blend of B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc and matcha powder, and can reduce the occurrence of fatigue.

The gut is also increasingly becoming the focus of health-conscious nutrition. Scientific research shows that a healthy microbiome is essential for the immune system, digestion, and even mental wellbeing. Manufacturers offering innovative solutions for holistic gut health are thus tapping into another growing market segment. Anna Schäfer: “With SternGutFeeling, SternVitamin has an innovative premix solution consisting of short-chain fructooligosaccharides, vitamins C, D, E, zinc and selenium in its portfolio, and supports manufacturers in product development with scientific expertise in micronutrients.”

Tate & Lyle PLC, a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Quantum Hi-Tech (Guangdong) Biological Co., Ltd (Quantum), a leading prebiotic dietary fibre business in China from ChemPartner Pharmatech Co., Ltd (ChemPartner) for a total consideration of USD 237 million.

Quantum engages in the research, development, production and sale of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). Together, FOS (from sucrose) and GOS (from milk sugar/lactose) represent around 25 % of the global dietary fibres market which is forecast to grow at around 6 % per annum. In China, which currently represents the majority of Quantum’s sales, the FOS and GOS market is forecast to grow at around 10 % per annum.

The acquisition of Quantum significantly strengthens Tate & Lyle’s position as a leading global player in dietary fibres, bringing a high-quality portfolio of speciality fibres, strong R&D capabilities and proprietary manufacturing processes and technologies. The acquisition expands Tate & Lyle’s ability to provide added-fibre solutions for its customers across a range of categories including dairy, beverages, bakery and nutrition (including infant nutrition), and to meet growing consumer interest in gut health. It also significantly expands Tate & Lyle’s presence in China and Asia, and extends its capabilities to create solutions across food and drink utilising its leading speciality ingredient portfolio.

The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of ChemPartner, a public company listed in China, of which Quantum is a wholly-owned subsidiary. At completion, consideration will be paid in cash for 100 % of the equity interests in Quantum. For the 11 months ended 30 November 2021, Quantum generated revenue of USD 46 million and EBITDA of USD 14 million. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to revenue growth and EBITDA margin for Tate & Lyle in the first year of ownership.

Quantum produces its range of FOS and GOS fibres at its production site in Guangdong Province, Southern China. The management team of Quantum will join Tate & Lyle at completion. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the second quarter of calendar year 2022.