Ready to launch! Horn installs kit to fill and seal blast caps

Ingredients distributor Horn is installing equipment at its Nutri Granulations facility in La Mirada, California, to fill and seal ‘blast caps’, a dosing technology enabling consumers to add vitamins and other bioactives to beverages at the point of consumption.

The brainchild of Blast Cap Technologies founder Mikel Anderson, the patented self-activating dispensing caps can be customized to fit any bottle and enable firms to add meaningful doses of nutrients to shelf stable vitamin waters, juices, sports drinks and other beverages.

While Anderson has been promoting the caps for some time, major players in the industry have finally warmed to the technology this year and several firms - including two global brands - are planning new product launches in early 2012.

The filling and sealing kit will be up and running in January in time for the first wave of new launches, Barbara McPherson, vice president of Horn’s Nutraceuticals division said.

New 120,000 sq ft HQ

Horn, which has recently installed a second granulating line for calcium carbonate and other specialty products such as glucosamine at the La Mirada site, has also pumped a significant sum into a new 120,000 square-foot corporate facility in La Mirada bringing bosses of its six business units together under one roof for the first time, said McPherson.

“Nutraceuticals works collaboratively with the other units, enhancing interaction, stimulating idea exchange, and promoting synergy across Horn’s diverse range of specialty ingredients.”

The market mood is optimistic

While some companies were “concerned about spending money to introduce new products”, the nutraceuticals sector had not suffered as much as the mainstream food and beverage sector during the economic downturn, with many consumers actively looking for ways to help maintain and improve their health without expensive trips to the doctor, she added.

Meanwhile, baby boomers and other aging consumers were “increasingly interested in supplements that help maintain mental sharpness, strength and general immune health”, she claimed.

“The market mood is optimistic… Nutraceuticals just finished an exceptional year, with growth from sales of existing ingredients and the addition of new principals with exciting new ingredients.

"We anticipate strong increases in business for 2012.”

Source: Nutri Granulations