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GELITA Expert Interview with Martin Walter, Global Category Manager, Healthy Aging & Sports Nutrition

When did your GELITA career begin?

I joined in early 2008 as an intern, when GELITA gave me the opportunity to write my thesis about the market potential of collagen peptides in Asia. I then worked in different business development and product management functions, where I was responsible for the market introduction of our Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP^®), including the award-winning FORTIGEL^® and FORTIBONE^®. Today, as Global Category Manager, I’m responsible for developing our Healthy Aging and Sports Nutrition portfolio. We focus on consumer needs, such as better performance in sports or improved mobility for the aging population. Our solutions are market-oriented and show huge growth potential.

Softgel capsules are a hugely popular delivery method among consumers of medicines and nutraceuticals, but for manufacturers, creating perfect capsules can be hit and miss.

The market for softgels is buoyant. Grand View Research valued it at USD 7.67 billion in 2022 and predicts that it will grow at a CAGR of 6.9 per cent from 2023 to 2030.1 Consumers like softgels for several reasons, including ease of swallowing and effective masking of odor and taste. Softgels also offer good absortption, bioavailability and shelf life stability. However, during manufacture, things don’t always go according to plan and leakers are a common problem that can hamper quality as well as production efficiency.

When you think about endurance athletes, what would their ideal sports nutrition product look like?

For the long-distance runner, cyclist, swimmer, cross country skier, footballer, rugby player, gymnast or any other athlete who needs to sustain peak performance for extended periods of time, what should they choose?

A glance at the booming worldwide sports nutrition market shows an abundance of protein-based products for body shaping and muscle growth. There is a huge choice of carbohydrate-rich solutions that deliver short-term bursts of energy when it’s needed too. But something is missing.

After struggling with painful osteoarthritis (OA) for many years, Airedale Terrier Lady is feeling much better, after her owner discovered an innovative, all-natural solution to ease her suffering.

A very high number of dogs suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), which is a chronic progressive and painful disease with a prevalence up to 80% in older dogs ⁽¹⁾. One of them is Lady, a ten-year-old famous breeding Airedale Terrier.

⁽¹⁾ Johnson, K.A., Lee, A.H. and Swanson, K.S. (2020) Nutrition and nutraceuticals in the changing management of osteoarthritis for dogs and cats. JAVMA, VOL 256, NO. 12, 1335-1341

There’s a thriving trend for holistic self-care, with growing numbers of consumers actively seeking natural, sustainable solutions for energy levels and mental and emotional wellbeing.[1] This has led to increased interest in plant-based nootropics – botanical ingredients that help boost cognitive function. Some of the most popular include ginkgo biloba, ginseng, guarana and L-theanine, which research suggests can positively affect memory, focus, alertness and mental energy.

GELITA Expert Interview – Natalie Leuwer, Category Manager, Nutrition and Health Ingredients

How long have you been at GELITA, and what does your role entail?

I’ve learned everything about GELITA from scratch. After joining as an apprentice in 2008, I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with the company as a partner. I then worked in the Marketing & Communications department, handling digital communications, communications material such as videos, and market intelligence. These experiences were all excellent preparation for my role as Category Manager, where I’m now responsible for developing the product portfolio for food specialties. I ensure all new products are market-oriented and serve specific consumer requirements. The other key parts of my role are helping these new products grow and making already established products more successful.