Sustainability & Green Formulation: Advancing Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Coatings with Natural and Responsible Solutions

Advancing Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Coatings with Natural and Responsible Solutions

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development. Today, formulators are looking beyond product performance to evaluate the environmental impact of excipients, manufacturing processes, sourcing strategies, and the overall lifecycle of a product. At the same time, growing demand for clean-label and naturally sourced ingredients is driving innovation across the industry.

Green formulation approaches focus on the use of renewable raw materials, natural ingredients, responsible sourcing practices, and environmentally conscious manufacturing. By carefully selecting excipients and optimizing formulations, manufacturers can reduce reliance on synthetic materials while maintaining the performance, quality, and regulatory compliance required for modern dosage forms.

At BIOGRUND, sustainability is not limited to a single product or ingredient. Through innovative coating systems, natural color solutions, and reformulation expertise, the company supports customers in developing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products that align with evolving sustainability goals.

The Role of Natural and Renewable Excipients

Excipients can significantly influence the environmental profile of a finished product. As a result, formulators are increasingly evaluating opportunities to incorporate naturally derived materials and renewable raw materials into coating systems and formulations.

Natural polysaccharides offer an attractive alternative to conventional synthetic polymers due to their functionality, availability from renewable sources, and compatibility with clean-label concepts. By leveraging these materials, manufacturers can support sustainability initiatives while maintaining the performance expected from modern film coating systems.

Sustainable ready-to-use Film Coating Systems from BIOGRUND

AquaPolish® – Fast Release

AquaPolish® fast release incorporates pectin, a naturally derived polysaccharide obtained from citrus peel, a valuable by-product of the juice industry that contributes to resource efficiency and circular economy principles. This makes pectin an attractive choice for manufacturers seeking to combine coating performance with sustainability objectives.

AquaPolish® E – Enteric protection

For enteric applications, BIOGRUND offers AquaPolish® E, a coating system based on alginate, a naturally derived polysaccharide obtained from brown seaweed. Beyond its excellent film-forming properties, alginate is sourced from a renewable marine resource that can be harvested sustainably. Responsible seaweed management and controlled harvesting practices help preserve marine ecosystems while ensuring long-term resource availability.  At the same time, it provides reliable gastro-resistant performance and supports the growing demand for naturally sourced excipients in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Thanks to BIOGRUND’s formulation expertise, the system remains highly flexible: depending on customer requirements, alginate can be adapted, combined with other natural materials, or replaced by alternative functional polymers to meet specific technical, regulatory, or sustainability objectives.

shop More Biogrund excipients here

Natural Colorants for Sustainable Coatings

Sustainability considerations increasingly extend beyond functional excipients to include coloring systems. BIOGRUND supports the use of naturally derived colorants that can help reduce dependence on synthetic pigments while maintaining product appearance, product identification, and brand differentiation. Combined with natural coating polymers, these solutions contribute to cleaner formulations and support sustainability-focused product development.

Reformulation as a Pathway to Greener Products

For many existing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, sustainability improvements do not necessarily require the development of entirely new formulations. Through targeted reformulation projects, BIOGRUND helps customers evaluate opportunities to replace synthetic excipients with naturally derived alternatives, optimize coating and tableting compositions, and align products with evolving sustainability and clean-label requirements.

This approach allows manufacturers to improve the environmental profile of established products while preserving their proven functionality, stability, and performance. By combining technical expertise with formulation flexibility, BIOGRUND supports a practical and efficient transition toward more sustainable products.

Looking Beyond the Formulation

Raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, transportation, and end-of-life considerations all contribute to the overall environmental impact of a pharmaceutical product. By integrating sustainability considerations early in development, manufacturers can make informed decisions regarding ingredient selection, sourcing strategies, and formulation design. The result is a more holistic approach that balances product performance with environmental responsibility.

Sustainability as a Corporate Commitment

BIOGRUND’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond product development. The company’s EcoVadis certification reflects ongoing efforts in environmental stewardship, responsible sourcing, ethical business practices, and sustainable procurement.

Driving the Future of Green Formulation

As sustainability expectations continue to grow, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers are seeking practical solutions that combine performance, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility. Natural ingredients, renewable raw materials, clean-label concepts, and reformulation strategies are becoming increasingly important tools for achieving these goals. BIOGRUND helps customers advance toward more sustainable formulations. By combining technical expertise with responsible product development, the company contributes to a greener and more sustainable future for the healthcare industry.

Source: Biogrund, website www.biogrund.com, Contact: [email protected]

If you have any questions or need a sample by Biogrund, please feel free to contact us: