by Xinhua Writers Tan Jingjing, Huang Heng, Gao Shan
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies took the limelight at North America's leading dietary supplement expo which convenes in the U.S. city of Las Vegas, showcasing a variety of health and nutrition ingredients and products, as well as their science and tech innovations.
The expo, named SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America, drew over 1,500 exhibitors and over 20,000 participants worldwide representing the dietary supplement, food and beverage, pet health and personal care industries.
Held on Wednesday and Thursday, the expo offers a platform for global companies and professionals to launch new nutrition products, showcase ingredient innovations and new science, source ingredients and services, and see what is trending in nutrition products development.
More than 400 Chinese companies are on the show floor at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the largest ever presence of Chinese exhibitors at the expo, nearly one third of the total number of exhibitors worldwide.
"Chinese exhibitors have increasingly become more and more prominent with their presence at the show, not just through the variety of products they bring, the innovation they bring, also the sponsorship they do, the speaking opportunity they're grasping on to promote their technology and products," Jiani Lai, business development specialist of Asia SupplySide at Informa Markets, organizer of the expo, told Xinhua in an interview.
"We have seen a huge trend and increase of how the Chinese exhibitors are stepping up to the level that they have never been," she added.
Danica Cullins, executive vice president of Health and Nutrition at Informa Markets, told Xinhua that Chinese companies are leading in many categories of innovation.
"In the very early years of participation in the show, our Chinese exhibitors were still learning what the attendees here really wanted to know and what kind of questions they would ask when they came to the booth. But now we've seen huge improvements in the science that they're presenting and even just readiness to talk to the buyers," Cullins noted.
Among the Chinese exhibitors are Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients Corporation, Shanghai Unibio Lab Co., Ltd, Hebei Guangxiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, and Braveiy Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Layn Natural Ingredients, headquartered in Guilin, China, is one of the top manufacturers of plant-based ingredients in the world, specializing in sweeteners and natural flavors.
Elaine Yu, president of Layn USA Inc., told Xinhua the company lays great emphasis on scientific research, applying extraction and purification technologies to the extreme at each of the manufacturing stage, and has developed many functional products with innovative technologies.
The company has launched a factory in the U.S. state of Indiana three years ago to develop new products and further explore the North America market, according to Yu.
The United States is the largest overseas market for Hebei Guangxiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, a professional manufacturer of caffeine anhydrous.
"The U.S. market is a precursor of global health products market. Through participating in the expo, we hope to better understand the market trend, price change as well as demand for the coming year," Bruce Yang, vice general manager of active pharmaceutical ingredients export marketing division of Hebei Guangxiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, told Xinhua.
The company also eyes to strengthen links with existing partners and explore more potential customers.
Zhechen Di, sales with Braveiy Biotechnology Co., Ltd, an innovative global manufacturer of dietary supplements based in Anhui Province, told Xinhua the company expects to reach out to more global terminal brands at the expo, to further expand its global markets, especially North America market.
Braveiy is exhibiting contract manufacturing services for traditional capsules, tablets and softgels with huge capacity at the show, as well as some new dosage forms for U.S. market like liquid shots and liquid sachets.
Melatonin and magnesium supplement remains the trend in U.S. dietary supplement, Di told Xinhua.
The competence of China-made products also won recognition from global professionals.
Mario Espinosa Hernandez, supply chain and business development director of Mexican pharmaceutical company TCA Nutrition, told Xinhua that Chinese companies are taking the lead in global nutrition industry not only because of their outstanding product quality, price, but also strong technical support for their products and services.
The expo, one of the most important platforms in global health and nutrition industry, brings together health industry professionals, uniting buyers and suppliers.
Over the past years, Chinese enterprises and their international counterparts have evolved from mere trade interactions to comprehensive exchanges encompassing investment, trade and technological cooperation, according to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (CCCMHPIE).
"This significant shift has greatly facilitated the Chinese health industry's participation in the international division of labor systems, enhancing its own capabilities and standards, while contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the health and well-being of people worldwide," according to CCCMHPIE. ■