Protein powder manufacturer British Biologicals has invested Rs 1 crore on a new additional production plant, meant for contract manufacturing. The new WHO-GMP compliant facility is located on the Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore. Currently, contract manufacturing accounts for around 15 per cent of its total turnover of Rs 100 crore.

In addition to the new plant, the company has also invested more than Rs 10 crore to set up a full-fledged corporate office in Bangalore, which is expected to be ready by March next year.

“The new manufacturing facility would also cater to the market expansion plans of the company, especially to Sudan, African countries, European and US markets,” stated V. Sridhar, executive director, British Biologicals.

British Biologicals has set up an associate company 'British Nutrition,' which will focus only on sports nutrition. Its maiden product 'X-tra Mass' is a high quality whey protein formulation targeted at wrestlers and body builders. British Biologicals' plans to solely focus are on health care segment.

The company has also come up with innovative packaging for its products, like 200 ml tetra packs for its sample products for doctors, Pro-PL (integral nutrition in pregnancy and lactation) and Kids Pro (for healthy body and sharp mind). For the promotion of its products, the company has spent around Rs 80 lakh, 20 per cent of its annual allocation of around Rs 5 crore.

In the Pro-PL it has enriched the contents with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which are vital for an infant’s brain, vision and heart development. It is also available in cardamom, vanilla and chocolate flavours with saffron.

B Protein (supplement for nutrition) and D Protein (nutrition support for diabetics) product packaging is modified where glass replaces PET bottle for the 400 gm packs. In addition, the new design features a comfortable grip.

Two new products Reno Pro and Cardio Pro for nephrology and cardiovascular recuperating patients are undergoing clinical trails at major hospitals in the country where Osmolarity tests are being conducted for the former and stability studies are going on for the latter. Its R&D division consisting of 12 scientists has developed a novel formulation 'Medi Slim' with low carbohydrate and low fat content. The product is scheduled for launch in November this year. Another product for orthopaedics is undergoing research. The powder nutraceutical market in India is valued at Rs 400 crore and British Biologicals is the leader followed by Novartis and Dumas, said Sridhar.