As curcumin demand increases, Sabinsa parent company opens new extraction facility

The new facility will be exclusively used for curcumin extraction, according to the company, increasing production of Curcumin C3 Complex to 25 tons from a previous capacity of 6 tons. The facility units are spread across five acres in Dabaspet, near Bangalore, India.

“Because of turmeric’s historic place in India’s traditional medical system Ayurveda, India dominates world turmeric production, with 80% taking place here,”​ said Dr. Muhammed Majeed, founder and chairman, Sami-Sabinsa Group.

“With our Curcumin C3 Complex the world leader in curcumin ingredients, expanding extraction capacity to ensure that we can continue to meet demand was the logical next step.”​

Global growth for curcumin​

Globally, the curcumin market is expected to reach more than $100 million by 2023, which is growing at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2017 to 2023, according to data from Frost & Sullivan.

The data also revealed that while there is continuous growth of curcumin in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, nutraceuticals “make up more than 50% of the curcumin demand share, both by volume and revenue, and continue to grow faster than the other segments,” ​according to a statement by Sabinsa Corporation.

The extract, which is found in turmeric, is also popular in the food and beverage space, as Google analyses pegged the root as a ‘rising star’ in terms of consumer online culinary searches​​, especially in relation to health and wellness.

Long journey for the branded ingredient​

The Curcumin C3 Complex ingredient received an FDA ‘no objections’ letter to its GRAS status​​ back in 2013. In 2016, Health Canada expanded possible health claims​​ for the ingredient, which now includes ‘helps support healthy serum triglyceride levels.’​

Sabinsa has continued research on the ingredient’s potential health benefits. A 2015 study​​ found that the ingredient may reduce risk factors in people with cardiovascular disease, while a randomized controlled trial published​​ in 2016 supports its benefit for populations with metabolic syndrome.

The ingredient has not been without some drama—in January of 2016, Sabinsa prevailed in its most recent patent infringement suit​​ based on the Curcumin C3 Complex ingredient. The company is now taking lead in establishing a trade association dedicated to curcumin​​.