Eye Health Concerns Key Driver of Lutein Market

This augurs well for the global lutein market, given that eye health ranks among the top five health concerns in the United States, as well as in various countries across the European Union (EU).

"One of the more important studies currently being carried out in this regard is the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), which specifically examines the effect of oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the prevention of advanced AMD and cataract," says Team Leader Ashwin Sukumaran for Frost & Sullivan's North American Food and Beverage Ingredients Practice. "Industry participants believe that this study will provide definitive proof, if further is needed, of lutein's benefits in eye health."

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.food.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of the Global Markets for Lutein in Human Nutrition, reveals that this market earned revenues of US$105.1 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach US$124.5 million in 2013.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with a strategic overview of the Global Lutein Market, then send an e-mail to Vanessa Quezada, Corporate Communications, at vanessa.quezada@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number and e-mail address. An overview will be sent to you via e-mail upon receipt of the above information.

However, the market now faces a considerable challenge in the growing maturity of dietary supplements, its key end-user application segment. This application accounts for more than 90 percent of lutein volumes, but its major markets, Europe and the United States, are exhibiting growth rates of only 2 to 3 percent per year.

Manufacturers need to address this growing maturity in dietary supplements by identifying new and potentially lucrative application segments that offer opportunities for the continued growth of the lutein market. A solid body of research supporting lutein's benefits in other emerging areas such as skin health, could allow manufacturers to penetrate the promising cosmeceutical application segment.

"Recent research into new application segments for lutein, such as skin health, is creating a lot of excitement in this industry," says Mr. Sukumaran. "Building a strong scientific case for lutein's benefits in skin health would allow it to break into the lucrative, high-growth cosmeceutical application segment and help boost the market."

Compliance with legislation is another major challenge, perhaps the most significant, across the supplement ingredients markets, and this invariably varies between countries and regions. The EU and the United States have clear directives governing the use of lutein in dietary supplements and functional foods. However, this is not the case in Asia where nutraceuticals and functional foods are largely unregulated while dietary supplements are regulated either as drugs or food, depending on the legislation in individual countries.

Legislative requirements place considerable pressure on any ingredient manufacturers resource. Manufacturers must carry the burden of proof when marketing a new ingredient or launching a product. This can range from technical knowledge and testing to legal knowledge.

The situation becomes more complex when the manufacturer has a worldwide presence and launches the product in different geographical markets. In the case that a lutein manufacturer wants to supply both the US and European markets, it has to satisfy not only US standards, but EU regulations as well. Regulations of individual member states in the EU also have to be met, and a manufacturer supplying to the Asian market has to deal with more complexities.

"Currently, countries such as India, China and Vietnam are tightening their regulations, and with more national markets introducing regulations, the implications for lutein manufacturers are severe," says Sukumaran. "The technology, knowledge and certification process required to meet the demands of the European and US pharmacopoeia, as well as the new Asian markets, are expected to be a considerable challenge to this industry, having a medium impact throughout the forecast period."

Strategic Analysis of the Global Markets for Lutein in Human Nutrition is part of the Food & Beverage Ingredients Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following: the U.S. Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market, the U.S. Polyols Markets, and the European Colours Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective, and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com. - PR Newswire, UK