Huber Engineered Materials, a division of the J.M. Huber Corporation, has received approval for its Health & Nutrition business to begin producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), such as calcium carbonate granulation for use in the manufacturing of antacids and other pharma applications.
The license granted by California’s Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch represents a significant milestone for the continued development of Huber’s Health & Nutrition business and its Modesto, Calif., granulation facility. Huber Health & Nutrition also produces pharmaceutical grade products at its Quincy, Ill., operation, which is also registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for producing APIs.
“Huber is very pleased California has issued this license, as it allows us to expand our manufacturing capabilities and offer customers an even more robust offering of products and services,” says Minas Apelian, Ph.D., Vice President and General Manager of Huber’s Health & Nutrition business unit. “As the only granulation supplier that also produces calcium carbonate powders, Huber has full control over the calcium carbonate supply chain, allowing us to offer customers customized calcium products with superior levels of quality and service consistency.”
Huber became a granulator of calcium carbonate and oyster shell powders with its 2003 acquisition of Micro Powders and Braig Incorporated and added to its portfolio with the addition of West Coast Ingredients in 2006. A significant advancement in Huber’s particle engineering capacity was made in 2007 with the addition of fluid bed granulation and trituration.
“We’ve been able to make great strides in developing Huber Health & Nutrition, as we are recognized as a quality and responsive supplier of calcium carbonate and other nutritional ingredients to the fortified food and dietary supplement markets,” adds Apelian. “We are looking forward to strengthening our presence by offering antacid granulations and other APIs backed by our strong commitment to developing and manufacturing quality products and delivering unparalleled customer service.”