For more than a decade, Foodmate has been dedicated to providing professional softgel solutions based on animal-derived materials. Now, we are expanding our offerings with EkoGel™, a plant-based gel solution designed as an alternative to gelatin for softgel production.
This development reflects our continued focus on formulation needs, product innovation, and evolving market demand. For brands targeting vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, or clean-label markets, a plant-based shell can offer a clear product positioning advantage.
With our experience in softgel applications and formulation development, we aim to help manufacturers explore plant-based options without overlooking the practical requirements of commercial production.
Beyond Fish Oil: Applications and Production Performance
Plant-based softgel capsules can serve a broader range of applications than conventional nutritional oils. Foodmate’s EkoGel™ JN Series is designed for different types of fillings, including high-concentration krill oil (56–60%), CoQ10 formulations containing 40% CoQ10, and paste-like multivitamin and mineral combinations.
Other potential applications include fish oil, algal oil, vitamin E, phospholipids, natural extracts, and selected complex formulations. Suitability depends on the specific filling and formulation requirements.
For manufacturers, filling compatibility is only part of the equation. The shell must also perform reliably during encapsulation and subsequent processing.
According to Foodmate’s EkoGel™ JN Series product information, the system can achieve a reported good yield of at least 98% in large-scale production. The specified seaming ratio is 70–90%, with a shell thickness of approximately 0.5–0.6 mm. These figures provide a starting point for evaluating the system under the manufacturer’s own production conditions.
Moreover, the EkoGel™ JN Series also supports low-temperature spray or injection at approximately 28–32°C. Gel preparation takes around 3–4 hours, and the melted gel can remain usable on the machine for up to 12 hours under the stated conditions. These features offer flexibility in production scheduling and may help reduce unnecessary heat exposure for sensitive fillings.
Temperature Stability, Storage and Easier Handling
A softgel solution needs to perform beyond the encapsulation stage. Temperature resistance, storage conditions, and handling can all affect the finished product and the overall manufacturing process.
Foodmate’s EkoGel™ plant-based softgel solution is specified to resist agglomerating at temperatures up to 55°C, while maintaining flexibility without cracking at temperatures down to −18°C under the stated conditions.
The finished capsules are also designed to resist sticking when stacked or pressed together, which can simplify handling after production. The product information describes no distinctive unpleasant odor during prolonged storage in an enclosed space and indicates that special drying and light-protected storage are not required.
These characteristics can offer practical advantages for manufacturers. However, final storage conditions and shelf life should still be evaluated for the complete formulation, packaging, and intended distribution environment.
EkoGel™ JN06 and JN08: Which Plant-Based Gel Will You Choose?
Foodmate offers two EkoGel™ JN Series options: JN06 and JN08. Both contain no animal-derived ingredients, but they differ in composition and intended release application.
EkoGel™ JN06: With Carrageenan
JN06 contains carrageenan and is designed for applications where cost efficiency and sustainability are important considerations. During production, the reclaim gel generated from the process can optionally be reused, helping reduce material waste. Furthermore, it is designed for gastric-soluble softgels.
EkoGel™ JN08: Carrageenan-Free
JN08 does not contain carrageenan and is positioned for clean-label applications and markets where carrageenan is a consideration. It is designed for enteric softgels, offering an option for formulations that need to pass through the stomach before releasing their contents in the intestinal environment.
Both JN06 and JN08 can also be considered for customized immediate-release and sustained-release applications, depending on the formulation and process requirements. The appropriate release profile should be established through formulation development and validation.
This flexibility allows manufacturers to select a plant-based softgel solution according to the filling, release requirements, target market, and production setup.
From Plant-Based Gel to a Production-Ready Solution
Switching from gelatin to plant-based softgels involves more than selecting a different shell material. Manufacturers may need to assess filling compatibility, production equipment, molds, and process parameters before moving to commercial production.
Foodmate offers one-stop solution:
- Formulation development and process customization
- Production-line compatibility assessment and equipment upgrades
- Pilot and scale-up testing
- Process parameter optimization and technical training
- Production-line optimization and yield improvement
- Stable mass production and ongoing technical support
For manufacturers exploring high-concentration nutritional oils, CoQ10, complex vitamin and mineral formulations, or customized release profiles, the right solution starts with understanding the product and its production requirements.
With EkoGel™ JN06 and JN08, Foodmate is expanding its softgel solutions to include plant-based options for different applications. Our goal is to help manufacturers move from formulation development to practical, scalable plant-based softgel production.
Contact Foodmate to discuss your application and explore a plant-based softgel solution tailored to your product and production needs!
