The firm recently exhibited at the HI Japan trade show in Tokyo where it was optimistic that a combination of demographic factors, consumer interest and new category opportunities bode well for the future.
Ross Noris, Aker BioMarine APAC GM said: “First and foremost, there’s a rising demand for supplements that support health, longevity, and vitality for an ageing population. Japan has one of the fastest-ageing populations in the world. And as a result, there’s an increasing focus on products and ingredients tailored to the needs of older adults, including healthcare, wellness, and supplements designed to support aging healthily.
“Another aspect of healthy aging is preventative health. Younger generations of Japanese consumers are becoming increasingly proactive about their health and are seeking out supplements that promote wellness. With the growing trend of preventative health comes personalization and supplements tailored to consumers that address specific health needs or lifestyle goals.
“We are also seeing more and more younger people turn to supplements like krill oil to proactively protect their hearts, joints, eyes, skin and more. Consumers want broad spectrum supplements and krill oil can deliver this.
The company also stressed that understanding is growing on how krill oil phospholipids work at a cellular level to reduce inflammation and that it would continue to support a growing body of science to help better understand how it can impact and improve the life quality of an ageing population.
In terms of new business opportunities in Japan, Norris said it was important to keep the conversation moving forward and the momentum high around krill oil with both customers and prospects.
“We are excited about our new research on skin health and what this could mean for the future, especially when it comes to beauty from within innovation,” he added.
“We also expect to receive an FFC in early 2025 for the skin benefits of krill oil, which will help us introduce krill oil to more consumers.
“Skin health is a fast-growing category for Japanese based functional foods and supplements and continues to be a key area for Japanese consumers. The Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on skincare and beauty, often prioritizing products that promote healthy, radiant skin. The popularity of multi-step skincare routines, innovative ingredients, and high-quality formulations reflect this focus. This has helped the skin care category become one of the top ten categories for functional foods.”
Skin barrier function
Japan’s FFC regulations permit brands to make broad health claims based on evidence from both trials and literature reviews.
Norris pointed to wo new studies, published together in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, which show the positive effects on skin barrier function from krill oil supplementation.
The purpose of these studies was to investigate the impact of two different doses of krill oil on skin barrier function (trans epidermal water loss, TEWL) in healthy adults with secondary outcomes related to skin hydration, elasticity and the Omega-3 Index.
He added: “Both studies indicated that daily oral intake of krill oil (1 and 2 g) resulted in significant improvements in strengthening the skin barrier function as well as improving hydration and elasticity, compared to the placebo group. Significant correlations were also observed between these improvements and the Omega-3 Index in red blood cells, highlighting the link between omega-3 fatty acids and skin health.”
Aker BioMarine has also introduced its B2B algae brand FloraMarine to the Japanese market, which it says has been warmly received by brands.
“With the highest natural DHA concentration, we can offer a unique consumer proposition in what is fast becoming a competitive market,” said Norris.