Vitafoods Asia 2012

HONG KONGVitafoods Asia will return to the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from Sept. 5 to 7, 2012, in response to the thriving Asia Pacific nutraceutical ingredients market.

The 2012 show is projected to be double the size of the 2011 edition, granting visitors an opportunity to source more products and suppliers and discover innovations in the market. 

The nutraceutical market is currently enjoying a particularly strong presence in Asia, due to growing affluence and rising educational levels," said Chris Lee, portfolio director of Vitafoods. "In fact, in a survey we recently commissioned, 40 percent of professionals forecast that Asia will have the greatest share of the market within the next 10 years.

More than half of the 2011 show visitors said that they had found suppliers they would not otherwise have considered using if they had not attended the event, so this years edition with more exhibitors and educational features is a must-attend for anyone in the industry looking to source innovative new ingredients and raw materials which provide health benefits."

Vitafoods Asia will feature more than 150 global suppliers of ingredients and raw materials for nutraceuticals, dietary supplements and functional foods and drinks, including Croda, DSM Nutritional Products Asia Pacific, Danisco (UK) Ltd, Chr. Hansen A/S and Glanbia Nutritionals Singapore Pte Ltd.

There will be a feature program providing a more in-depth overview of the market to manufacturers of dietary supplements and functional foods and drinks. Free Seminars will run across the three days with a variety of experts presenting sessions on some of their latest research to inform visitors of industry news. Companies already confirmed include Naturex, Decas Cranberry Products, Allergon and InterHealth. One of the four keynote speeches will be delivered by Katrina Diamonon, senior analyst at Datamonitor, and will focus on innovative packaging formats, consumer expectations and labelling challenges.

EAS will offer free one-to-one regulatory advisory sessions from its experts, meaning visitors can benefit from sessions tailored to any aspect of their business including advice on both European and Asian regulations, strategy, labeling and claims.

A new products zone will be located at the show entrance to provide visitors information on more than 100 ingredients and products launched in the last 12 months. Visitors will also be able to discover whats new in the market as VitaTrend, from Innova Market Insights, will explain trends and business opportunities for companies across Asia. Mintel will also be available in the Mintel Consumer Insights Pavilion.

The International Pavilions will encompass more regions across the world this year, including pavilions from the Americas and Belgium allowing visitors to find specialist information from a specific region.

The Discussion Forum is new for 2012. Chaired by Simon Pettman from EAS, it will feature a panel of experts in the fields of marketing, regulation, ingredients and finished products and offer greater understanding of key issues affecting businesses.

Also new, The Finished Products Zone will consist of stands from the likes of Biotivia Bioceuticals LLC, Chengdu Better Biology Technology Co., Ltd., Golden Biotechnology Corp. and Hankintatukku Oy, which will be demonstrating weight management, anti-aging and vitamin and mineral supplements, alongside nutricosmetics and private labeling. The zone will also feature a "tasting bar" with the opportunity to sample products, from cereal bars to sports nutrition drinks and childrens supplements. 

The Health-Positioned Food and Beverages Asia 2012 Conference by IBC Asia will also be held in conjunction with Vitafoods Asia from Sept. 5 to 7, 2012, and will provide a review of what it takes to stay relevant and profitable in an expanding yet highly competitive Asian market.