This year’s CPHI & PMEC Shanghai laid bare a clear shift across the nutraceutical raw material sector. While the Natural Products Zone hosted hundreds of ingredient exhibitors, global buyers prioritized process upgrades and consistent quality over low-cost bulk supplies.

Biosynthetic amino acids and fermentation-based coenzymes stood out as top draws. Domestic manufacturers now adopt enzymatic catalysis to deliver clean-label materials that fully satisfy TGA, EU and FDA strict impurity limits, shifting buyer focus away from price competition.

The expo also facilitated face-to-face technical talks between overseas brands, contract manufacturers and Chinese producers, streamlining global sourcing for finished dietary supplement formulas.