This would build on the ingredient’s existing presence in the European and the US markets which similarly targeted vegans, vegetarians and consumers who are into organically-certified products.
Vitamin D3 supplements are mostly from animal sources - typically lanolin derived from sheep’s wool. Food sources include fish and fish liver oils which are not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
As such, this group of consumers have tended to look for vitamin D2 usually sourced from mushrooms - but not as bioavailable as vitamin D3 - as an alternative.
INNOBIO saw an opportunity in upcycling pine oil - the by-product of paper production - as a source of vitamin D3 for human health.
Commercially available as LocVita®, the vegan vitamin D3 was first launched more than a year ago.
In March 2025, it obtained certification from India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) as a vegan nutritional functional ingredient - opening doors into India’s vast vegetarian and vegan market which is lacking vitamin D3 due to lifestyles.
Vitamin D3 supplementation is known to support bone and immune health.
“The perception is that vitamin D3 deficiency is unlikely in the Indian population due to the geographical location of the country where there is frequent sunlight.
“However, urbanization also means that a good segment of the population is staying indoor most of the time, which means they are not getting enough vitamin D3 synthesis from sunlight.
“In fact, about one-fifth of the population are lacking in vitamin D3, and this could develop into health risks and potentially increase public health expenditure,” said Su Miao, marketing executive at INNOBIO.
India’s rising economy and purchasing power, as well as a tradition in plant or ayurvedic therapies also mean that pine oil derived vitamin D3 could appeal to the Indian market, Miao added.
Sally Cui, product manager - Vitamin Business Center at INNOBIO said that as LocVita® was made into powder using microencapsulation, it can be made into nutraceuticals in the form of tablets, powder, hard capsules, or fortified into functional foods.
An example of a recommended product formulation is using vitamin D3, K2, magnesium, and calcium for bone health support among older adults and adolescents.
Another example is to use vitamin D3, C, and collagen peptides in formulating products for supporting joint mobility and skin elasticity for women.
Miao said the company was in talks with major brands in India in applying LocVita® into their products.
There are also plans in studying the potential benefits of plant-based vitamin D3 supplementation in other health areas, such as cardiovascular health and women’s health.
Other areas of interest include studying the synergistic effects of vitamin D3 with other ingredients such as vitamin K2, magnesium, and calcium.
The pine-oil derived vitamin D3 is not yet commercialised in the domestic China market as there are no regulatory provisions for plant-derived vitamin D3 at the moment.
