The Final Touch – Sustainable Supplement Packaging for Leader Foods

Learn about the development of sustainable supplement packaging and our collaboration with Leader Foods

‘Uncompromising’ is the term that Vida Brand Manager Sari Iija uses to describe Leader Foods’ Vida Kuulas health product line. Vida Kuulas food supplement range was launched last October to demonstrate that you can really have it all: top-quality natural ingredients and optimal nutritional density developed with absolute professionalism and delivered in ecological packaging.

We asked our Sales Director Erno Syvälahti and Sari Iija from Leader Foods to share their expertise on how to avoid compromises when developing a sustainable supplement product.

Iija states that Sulapac packaging seemed like a natural fit for Vida Kuulas.

“Our supplements consist of natural ingredients to satisfy the true needs of consumers. Natural and responsible are at the core of our product promise. We’ve seen how customers are increasingly interested in sustainability, so it seemed only logical to complement the product with compostable packaging that is made from wood and plant-based binders.”

The initial contact with Sulapac was made after Leader Foods R&D started thinking about new ways to use biomaterials. “Sulapac worked closely with us from the beginning”, says Iija. “Together we shared ideas that influenced the development of the product. Sulapac also helped us in finding the suitable manufacturer for the jars. The product launch was coordinated collaboratively, as were some joint marketing efforts.”

Along with the desired shape and size for Vida Kuulas jars, food and supplement safety standards were necessary considerations for finding the suitable packaging producer, explains Erno Syvälahti from Sulapac. “In order to collaborate with Leader Foods, we needed to ensure smooth implementation of our material to their manufacturing process. Our most widely used commercial application, Sulapac Universal was chosen as the material for Vida Kuulas. Universal was suitable for the molding tools that the producer already had.”

Syvälahti also notes that food supplements require thorough packaging testing.

“We needed to make sure that the packaging solution was food-safe. With the manufacturing choices settled, we moved on to samples and stability tests to ensure the product has an appropriate shelf life.”

After successful tests, the product was launched in October 2020. A few months later, Iija is happy to see that Vida Kuulas has been well-received. “We’ve received positive feedback on the quality of our supplement product, but also on the recyclable and reusable jars. We are glad to have found packaging that is both a climate-friendly and beautiful alternative to traditional plastic.”

Take a look at Sulapac’s sustainable options for supplement packaging.

Click to view our portfolio

 

Sulapac accelerates the plastic waste-free future with sustainable materials that are beautiful and functional. Like nature. The Helsinki-based company was founded in 2016 by Dr. Suvi Haimi, Dr. Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo and Dr. Antti Pärssinen. Sulapac has been ranked one of the 100 hottest startups in Europe by WIRED UK. Join the forerunners at sulapac.com.

 

Vida products are developed and manufactured by Leader Foods Oy, a Finnish food industry company established in 2001. Leader Foods Oy was created with a vision to provide high-quality and healthy products to the market to enable you to lead a more active, healthy and fulfilling life. Responsibility is at the core of Vida. Vida is developed and manufactured in Finland; the product development and production facility are located in Vantaa. vidaplus.fi