Empowering Australian Natural Health Brands! Custom Cooperation on Milk Thistle Extract + Milk Thistle Compound Capsules, Achieving Integrated Service

1. Demand Communication and Plan Formulation (1 month)

In the early stage of cooperation, our team engaged in multiple rounds of both online and offline communication with the customer to deeply understand their specific product requirements:

• Formula Optimization: The customer aimed to enhance the activity retention rate of silymarin and improve the liver-protecting efficacy of the product.

• Taste Improvement: The existing capsule product needed to have its bitterness and astringency reduced, with a focus on adjusting the dissolution rate of the capsules to ensure stable and quick absorption of active ingredients in the body.

• Eco-friendly Packaging: The packaging needed to comply with Australian degradable material standards, combining environmental sustainability, aesthetics, and product stability during transportation and storage.

Based on these needs, our technical team collaborated with the R&D and design departments to formulate a detailed cooperation plan, outlining the technical approach for formula optimization, R&D sampling timelines, and packaging design direction. After two rounds of plan adjustments, we reached an agreement with the customer and signed the cooperation agreement.

2. Formula Optimization and Technical Breakthrough (2 months)

Silymarin is the key active ingredient in milk thistle extract, and its activity retention rate is crucial to the product’s liver-protecting efficacy. Our technical team focused on this critical issue by conducting in-depth research:

• Extraction Process Selection: We analyzed various extraction methods, such as supercritical CO₂ extraction and ethanol extraction. Ultimately, we chose supercritical CO₂ extraction due to its ability to extract active ingredients under low temperature and low pressure, preserving the activity of silymarin.

• Parameter Optimization: Through extensive experimentation, we optimized extraction parameters—pressure, temperature, and time—to increase the activity retention rate of silymarin from the industry average of 85% to 92%.

• Synergistic Formulation: The team scientifically compounded milk thistle ingredients, adjusting the ratio of silymarin and other components based on their synergistic effects to further enhance liver-protecting properties.

Throughout this phase, we maintained close communication with the customer, providing regular updates and experimental data, and invited them to review the progress at key milestones to ensure alignment with their expectations.

3. R&D Sampling and Adjustment (1.5 months)

After finalizing the formula, we entered the R&D sampling stage, completing three rounds of sampling based on the formulated plan. Each round tested taste and dissolution rate, followed by adjustments based on customer feedback:

• First Round: Basic capsules were produced, but they had a slight bitter and astringent taste. The dissolution rate was slower than industry standards (30 minutes, compared to the standard of 20-25 minutes). To address this, the R&D team added natural sweeteners (e.g., steviol glycosides) to improve taste and adjusted the disintegrant ratio in the capsule shell to enhance dissolution.

• Second Round: The bitter and astringent taste was significantly reduced, but some residual taste remained. The dissolution rate improved to 25 minutes, closer to the standard. Further adjustments were made to the sweetener levels, and the capsule filling process was optimized for uniform distribution of active ingredients.

• Third Round: The final product met the customer’s taste expectations (no bitterness or astringency, with a slight natural plant fragrance). The dissolution rate stabilized at 22 minutes, meeting both industry standards and the customer's needs. After internal testing with 200 consumers, the satisfaction rate exceeded 90%, confirming the final sample.

4. Eco-friendly Packaging Design and Production (1 month)

During the packaging design stage, we adhered strictly to Australian degradable material standards while aligning with the customer’s brand image and product characteristics:

• Material Selection: We selected degradable plant-based plastics for the capsule bottles, which offer 100% degradation in the natural environment, good impact resistance, and sealing performance, ensuring product quality. The bottle caps were made from degradable paper material, and recyclable aluminum foil gaskets were used to further enhance the packaging’s environmental sustainability.

• Appearance Design: The packaging design integrated the customer’s brand colors (e.g., green and blue) and milk thistle plant motifs to highlight the product's natural attributes. The front prominently displayed the product name, core ingredients, efficacy, and Australian degradable material certification logo. The back included product usage instructions, precautions, and production dates to ensure clear and accessible information.

• Sample Confirmation and Production: After a preliminary review of the packaging design, samples were produced and submitted for customer feedback. Adjustments were made based on their input, such as color depth and pattern size. Once confirmed, production commenced in parallel with capsule manufacturing to ensure seamless integration of the product and packaging, ultimately ensuring timely delivery.