Nutraceutical Manufacturing

What Are Nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals are food products or by-products that provide health benefits beyond basic nourishment. They include a wide range of products, such as vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and probiotics. Popular nutraceutical products include collagen, greens, and multivitamins.
Supplements, vitamins, and other nutraceuticals products are available in different forms – such as pills, capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids – for convenient consumption depending on the ingredients and intended purpose or desired effect.
Blister packs of green and orange pills on a Dorner 1100 series conveyor belt.

Nutraceuticals vs Pharmaceuticals: Key Differences

While both nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals are related to health and wellness, the two have critical differences.
Pharmaceuticals are specifically formulated drugs, often with synthetic compounds, to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. They are subject to rigorous testing and regulation by health authorities like the FDA.
Primarily designed to promote overall health and well-being, nutraceuticals are classified as dietary supplements or functional foods and are not intended to cure or treat specific medical conditions. Formed with a holistic approach from natural sources, they are regulated differently than pharmaceuticals and have more lenient requirements.

The Growing Nutraceutical Industry and What it Means for Vitamin and Supplement Manufacturers

The nutraceutical industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer awareness and demand for natural health products.
Integration of reliable and efficient conveyor systems helps manufacturers meet consumer demand and overcome production challenges, such as quality control.
Bottles of prescription medications on a Dorner conveyor belt.
Empty bottles for nutraceuticals on a Dorner 1100 conveyor belt with side transfer.

Common Challenges in Nutraceutical Manufacturing

To successfully navigate the complexities of the nutraceutical industry, supplement manufacturers need to address several key challenges, including:

Product Quality and Consistency

Any variations in the composition or dosage of the supplements can impact their effectiveness and consumer satisfaction. Manufacturers must implement strict quality control measures throughout production to ensure that each product meets the highest standards.

Cross-Contamination Prevention

Contamination can occur through contact with allergens, microbial contaminants, or residual particles from previous manufacturing runs. To ensure product safety, manufacturers need conveyor systems that minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Efficient and Safe Material Handling

Maximize productivity and minimize downtime in nutraceutical manufacturing with systems that promote high safety and sanitation standards.
Supplement manufacturers need conveyor systems that can handle different materials, such as powders, capsules, tablets, and liquids, with precision and reliability.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards

Manufacturers must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other regulatory requirements, such as those outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Conveyor systems from reputable manufacturers like Dorner and Garvey are designed with industry standards in mind. They incorporate features such as easy-to-clean surfaces, hygienic design, and compliance with FDA regulations, ensuring manufacturers meet their regulatory obligations.

Dorner’s Top Conveyor Systems for Supplement Manufacturers

At Dorner, we offer a range of conveyor solutions designed to meet the unique needs of supplement manufacturers. These systems combine advanced technology, hygienic design, and customization options to enhance the efficiency and safety of nutraceutical manufacturing processes.

AquaGard LP

The AquaGard LP conveyor system is designed for applications with stringent hygiene requirements. It features a stainless-steel construction, sanitary design, and easy-to-clean surfaces. This system can handle a wide range of product types and sizes, making it an ideal choice for supplement manufacturers seeking superior hygiene and flexibility.

AquaPruf

The AquaPruf series is another excellent choice for supplement manufacturers. This conveyor system is built for sanitary applications, featuring a robust stainless steel frame, FDA-approved materials, and a sanitary design that minimizes potential contamination points.

FlexMove

FlexMove conveyors are versatile and customizable, making them ideal for the nutraceutical industry. These systems allow for easy integration with other equipment, such as packaging machines, allowing manufacturers to optimize their production processes and make the most of their available floor space.

1100 Series

The 1100 Series conveyor system from Dorner is designed for handling small parts, making it suitable for supplement manufacturers dealing with very small components, such as individual capsules. With its compact frame design and Class 100 cleanroom-certified belting options, the 1100 Series conveyor system ensures efficient and reliable handling of small parts and products.

ERT150

The ERT150 conveyor system is a low-profile, edge roller technology solution that offers precise and efficient handling of various product sizes and shapes. Its innovative design eliminates the need for traditional transfer methods, reducing product damage and improving productivity.

2200 Series

The 2200 Series conveyor system combines versatility and reliability, making it suitable for a wide variety of nutraceutical manufacturing applications. The 2200 Series conveyor system provides efficient and flexible material handling solutions for supplement manufacturing with its low-profile design, multiple belt options, and customizable configurations.

Garvey Pharmaceutical Conveyors

Garvey conveyors offer versatile solutions for vitamin and supplement manufacturing to improve cleanliness, increase efficiency, and maximize throughput at higher speeds.
Precisely positioned pill packs on a Dorner 1100 series conveyor.

The Importance of Quality Control in Nutraceutical Manufacturing

Quality control is paramount in the nutraceutical industry to ensure that products meet the highest safety, efficacy, and consistency standards. Implementing robust quality control measures throughout manufacturing is essential to identifying and rectifying deviations or defects.
With conveyors from Dorner, you’ll have options that can enhance your quality control measures. Precision positioning features allow for more accurate nutraceutical product inspection, grouping, and packaging of products, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring consistent product quality.
Automating part of your production process with conveyors allows you to implement better traceability through labeling and sortation, which is crucial for quality control audits, regulatory compliance, and addressing potential product recalls.

Benefits of Automating Your Processes with Conveyors in Nutraceutical Manufacturing

Integrating conveyor systems in nutraceutical manufacturing brings numerous benefits that enhance operational efficiency, improve product quality, and ensure employee safety.

Increased Efficiency

Conveyor systems streamline the production process by eliminating manual material handling tasks and reducing the time and effort required for product transfer. With automated conveyors, manufacturers can achieve higher throughput, faster cycle times, and improved overall efficiency.
Our conveyors minimize bottlenecks and maximize productivity by optimizing the flow of materials. The seamless transfer of ingredients between processing stages ensures a smooth and continuous production flow, reducing downtime and optimizing resource utilization.

Improved Accuracy and Precision

Manual handling of ingredients and products can introduce variability and inaccuracies into the manufacturing process. Conveyor systems provide precise control over:

Enhanced Safety and Hygiene

Conveyor systems help create a safe working environment by minimizing the need for strenuous manual labor and reducing the risk of workplace injuries.
Advanced conveyor systems, such as Dorner’s AquaGard LP and AquaPruf, are specifically designed for hygienic applications. They feature easy-to-clean surfaces, sanitary design, and FDA-approved materials, ensuring compliance with industry standards and promoting product safety.

Flexibility and Customization

Conveyor systems offer the flexibility and customization needed to accommodate various product types, sizes, and weights for specific processes to allow manufacturers to adapt to changing market demands and production requirements.

Traceability and Documentation

Traceability is a critical aspect of nutraceutical manufacturing, ensuring product integrity and compliance with regulatory standards. Conveyor systems equipped with advanced tracking and documentation features enable manufacturers to trace the entire production process, from raw material intake to final packaging.

Key Considerations for Choosing Nutraceutical Industry Conveyors

In supplement and vitamin manufacturing, you need the best systems to support the high demand for your products and the strict regulatory requirements established by governing authorities. Dorner conveyor systems provide the performance and reliability you need to enhance your production process and meet your unique needs.

Adaptable and Flexible

The nutraceutical industry is dynamic, with changing product formulas, packaging formats, and production requirements. Conveyor systems should be adaptable and flexible to accommodate these variations. Look for systems that offer modular designs, adjustable speeds, and customizable options to meet your specific manufacturing needs.

Reliability and Durability

In a demanding manufacturing environment, conveyor systems must be reliable and durable. Supplement manufacturers should choose conveyor solutions that are built to withstand the rigors of continuous operation and require minimal maintenance to minimize downtime.

Hygienic Design and Easy Cleaning

Prevent contamination and ensure product safety with conveyor systems with hygienic design, including smooth surfaces, minimal crevices, and easy-to-clean components. Expertly designed conveyors, such as Dorner’s AquaGard series, also offer cleaning features that help to significantly cut down on cleaning time, allowing you to get your production lines up and running in minutes.

Industry Standard Compliance

Manufacturers should choose conveyors from reputable manufacturers that prioritize FDA compliance to ensure they can safely manufacture their products.

Meet the Growing Demand of the Nutraceutical Industry With Automated Conveyor Solutions from Dorner

Integrating conveyor systems into nutraceutical manufacturing processes offers numerous benefits for supplement manufacturers, vitamin manufacturers, and other nutraceutical producers. These systems enhance efficiency, improve accuracy, ensure product quality and safety, and facilitate compliance with regulatory standards.
By choosing the right conveyor system and partnering with experienced manufacturers, nutraceutical companies can optimize their production processes and meet the growing demand for health-focused products.
Our specialists can work with you to find the best fit for your exact needs and unique space, customizing your new conveyor system to enhance your operation. Give us a call today to get started and maximize your production!

Nutraceutical Conveyors From Dorner

AquaPruf Conveyors

  • Tool-less disassembly. Cleaning prep in under a minute, complete disassembly in less than 3 minutes
  • Optional frame cut-outs and belt lifters for continuous access to inside of the conveyor
  • Tip-up tails allow for quick release of belt tension
  • Continuous TIG-welded 304 stainless steel frame
  • Spiral cam belt tensioning with patent pending thread-less design
  • Patented sprocket alignment key
  • Gearless, oil-free iDrive2 sanitary motorized roller

AquaGard LP Conveyors

  • Quick five-minute belt change for increased uptime
  • Compact and enclosed tensioning system providing smooth and snag-free cleaning
  • 304 stainless steel frame, head and tail plates
  • V-Groove frame with guided belt ensures accurate tracking
  • Tip-up tails for access inside the conveyor for cleaning and maintenance
  • Streamlined design fits where other conveyors do not
  • Low-profile, operator safe design with no pinch points
  • Small 1.25 in (32 mm) diameter rollers for transfer of small products
  • A variety of FDA approved belting to meet application needs

2200 Belted Conveyors

  • Small Part Transfers
  • Part Accumulation
  • Precision Part Movement
  • Small Part Handling and Positioning
  • Part/Package Infeed and Outfeed
  • Automated and Manual Assembly

FlexMove Conveyors

If you are looking for a high quality flexible conveyor system, the FlexMove offers superior efficiency and productivity for virtually any application. This model is one of the best flex conveyor systems on the market.

1100 Miniature Belt Conveyors

  • Small or light weight product movement
  • Medical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Life sciences
Top