01.01.06
Sterling Gelatin: Advancing Innovations in Gelatin
In 1995, Sterling Gelatin and Croda Colloides joined forces to establish a premier manufacturing facility in India dedicated to the gelatin business. Today the business operates as a unit of The Sandesara Group, which is a company operating businesses across a wide range of industries.
Over the years, Sterling’s business has evolved in many directions, most recently setting its sights on the nutraceuticals industry and finding unique applications for its edible and pharmaceutical gelatins. According to J.J. Sharma, marketing chief, it was the strong demand for its bovine gelatin that prompted the company to enter the nutraceuticals space. As a result, Sterling recently launched STERIysate cold water, highly compressible gelatin. Mr. Sharma says this new product adds “extra punch to food, energy and health formulations.” In addition to STERIysate, the company also supplies pork skin gelatin and fish gelatin.
Sterling says its gelatin contains 80-90% protein and is not only used extensively in the pharmaceutical, food and photographic industry, but also in such diverse industries as cosmetics, metal refining, paper, plastics and toiletries.
Pharmaceutical gelatins are supplied to conform with the current European Pharmacopoeia, as well as the current BP, USP, or other pharmacopoeia, as required. Generally, the Sterling specifications for pharmaceutical gelatins impose much tighter limits than the pharmacopoeia require. Additional tests may be included, such as particle size distribution, viscosity, viscosity degradation and isoionic point, depending upon customer requirements.
Mr. Sharma believes the nutraceuticals industry offers Sterling Gelatin a wide range of opportunities, especially as consumers become more health conscious. “We are striving to serve the high demand in the nutraceuticals market as a result,” he said, adding, “And we see the market reaching new heights in the years to come.”—R.W.