Inside BENEO’s new pulse plant: pioneering sustainable protein from faba beans
–Suresh Garg, Founder & CMD, Zeon Lifesciences
For the seventh feature in NUFFOODS Spectrum’s 12th Anniversary Special interview series, we turn the spotlight on Building Tomorrow’s Nutraceutical Powerhouse with Suresh Garg, Founder & CMD, Zeon Lifesciences. Garg shares Zeon’s Vision 2030 to be a global growth engine for science-backed nutraceuticals through its integrated CDMO model, multi-format manufacturing, and advanced R&D. With a strong innovation pipeline, expanding export footprint, and partnerships with global brands, Zeon aims to drive India’s leadership in the nutraceutical supply chain for the next decade. Edited excerpts;
How is Zeon Lifesciences envisioning its growth in the Indian and global nutraceutical contract manufacturing market by 2030?
By 2030, Zeon envisions being a growth engine for brands seeking science-backed nutraceuticals — offering end-to-end Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) services from formulation and pilot batches to commercial scale and global regulatory support. Our roadmap targets multi-fold growth in export revenue, a broader global client base, and the doubling of our Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) manufacturing capacity — underpinned by strengthened quality systems and dedicated R&D for differentiated, patented formulations.
We currently operate four manufacturing units under one integrated complex, support 12 dosage forms, offer 1,200+ formulations and 800+ active SKUs, hold 40+ recognitions and 15+ certifications, have an R&D and Quality Assessment team of 120+ scientists, and exports to 10+ countries.
With the global nutraceuticals market size projected to reach $919.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.6 per cent from 2025 to 2030, Zeon is poised to expand capacity and innovation to significantly increase its share in both Indian and international markets.
Can you share any specific percentage growth targets Zeon is aiming for in terms of revenue, export share, or market penetration by 2030?
By 2030, we aim to significantly scale its operational and commercial footprint. Our growth agenda focuses on increasing the share of exports in overall revenue, penetrating new high-potential geographies, and expanding partnerships with leading nutraceutical brands worldwide.
We are working towards measurable gains in production throughput, faster go-to-market timelines for client products, and higher value-add through innovation and patented formulations. While we do not disclose exact percentage targets, our strategic plan is designed to deliver sustained growth of around 15–20 per cent year-on-year. The emphasis will be on building long-term client relationships that translate into consistent revenue acceleration and a stronger brand presence in the global nutraceutical ecosystem.
What are your key focus areas for innovation in nutraceutical and wellness product development over the next five years?
Over the next five years, our focus is on science-backed innovations in medical nutrition, cognitive health, gut health, sports nutrition, healthy ageing, beauty-from-within, and pet nutrition. We are advancing delivery systems like sublingual sprays and sustained-release formats, investing in clean-label and plant-based solutions, and strengthening clinical validation to ensure higher bioavailability, efficacy, and market differentiation.
Zeon has strong R&D capabilities — how do you plan to leverage this to co-develop next-generation formulations with your partners?
We will continue to strengthen and expand our R&D collaborations to bring next-generation nutraceutical formulations to market in partnership with our clients. Our DSIR-certified, NABL-accredited laboratory conducts over 20,000 tests each month and more than 400,000 quality evaluations annually, supported by nine academic associations for research.
We support co-development in advanced delivery systems such as nano-encapsulation, sublingual sprays, and liposomal technologies. With a team of 120+ scientists, state-of-the-art analytical tools, pilot-scale facilities, and walk-in stability chambers, we are well-positioned to deliver innovative, clinically validated, and commercially scalable solutions that help our partners lead in their respective markets.
What consumer health trends (e.g., immunity, gut health, beauty-from-within, etc.) are shaping your product pipeline and strategic roadmap?
Consumer demand is increasingly shaped by proactive health management and preventive wellness. Key trends influencing our product pipeline include gut health for overall wellbeing, immunity support, beauty-from-within solutions, cognitive health for healthy ageing, and performance-focused sports nutrition.
We are also seeing growing interest in plant-based, clean-label, and clinically validated products, in addition to pet nutrition. These insights guide our strategic roadmap, ensuring our innovations align with evolving lifestyle needs and deliver measurable health benefits.
How is Zeon supporting startups and emerging brands in the nutraceutical space through your CDMO capabilities?
At Zeon Lifesciences, we see startups and emerging nutraceutical brands as vital contributors to industry innovation, and we are committed to accelerating their journey from idea to market. Through our integrated CDMO model, we offer a complete solution — from formulation development and pilot runs to packaging, regulatory guidance, quality control, and full-scale manufacturing.
Our four integrated manufacturing units are equipped to produce a wide range of formats, including powders, capsules, tablets, diskettes, sprays, and other liquids, giving young brands the flexibility and scale they need.
Backed by over 1,200 ready formulations, more than 1,800 validated raw materials, advanced in-house R&D capabilities, and deep regulatory expertise, we help our partners create differentiated, effective products that meet global quality standards. This combination of research strength, manufacturing agility, and speed-to-market focus enables startups to innovate confidently, launch faster, and grow sustainably in competitive markets.
With growing demand for science-backed and clean-label supplements, how is Zeon strengthening its clinical validation and quality testing infrastructure?
We are enhancing the company’s clinical validation and quality testing to meet the rising demand for science-based, clean-label supplements. Our R&D centre in Paonta Sahib is recognised by DSIR and has a NABL-accredited lab that conducts over 20,000 tests each month and more than 400,000 quality evaluations each year.
At every stage of production — from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products — Zeon’s skilled Quality Assurance team executes rigorous physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory evaluations. Supported by several third-party testing partnerships and certifications such as GMP, NSF, FDA registration, and FSSC 22000, Zeon has consistently set benchmarks for quality in the nutraceutical sector.
This commitment has been recognised through multiple prestigious accolades, including two National Quality Awards — first in 1994 by the President Shankar Dayal Sharma and again in 2023 by Entrepreneur India — as well as the Outstanding Food Safety Award from CII in 2022.
Additionally, for products requiring clinical validation, we work with reputable research institutions like NII, NIPER, IIIM, UPES, BITS Pilani, and many more to conduct trials, support health claims, and strengthen credibility with published findings. This integrated setup ensures that every supplement with our label is safe, transparent, and backed by scientific rigour, building trust with partners and consumers.
Are there plans to expand your manufacturing footprint or invest in advanced technologies (e.g., soft gel, effervescent, or gummy lines) by 2030?
Yes, there are plans for expansions in terms of advanced technologies. We are already into soft gels, sprays, and liquid-filled capsules, and are exploring more dosage formats for easy lifestyle adaptation and improved efficacy in the body. Our focus is also on building flexible, high-efficiency production lines that can adapt to evolving market trends and client needs.
What are Zeon’s future plans for strategic partnerships — either with ingredient suppliers, research institutions, or global nutraceutical brands?
Strategic partnerships are central to Zeon’s vision for the coming decade. We are associated with Vitonnix for sublingual sprays and Optibiotix for a patented weight management ingredient. We are also engaged with patented ingredient suppliers to formulate innovative products, research institutions for preclinical studies, and major MNCs in nutraceuticals operating in India.
How does Zeon aim to contribute to India’s leadership in the global nutraceutical supply chain by 2030?
Our strategy is built on three pillars — scale, science, and compliance. Zeon Lifesciences is advancing India’s stature in the global nutraceutical supply chain by scaling innovation, expanding exports, and leveraging advanced manufacturing.
With close to four decades of experience and India’s largest CRDMO infrastructure — including a DSIR-certified R&D centre and more than 15 international certifications — we are strategically expanding its global footprint across multiple markets and planning entry into ten more, including the U.S., U.K., UAE, and South Africa.
The company also collaborates with leading research institutions for technology transfers, patent filing, and clinical validation, reinforcing India’s position as a reliable, science-backed manufacturing hub. Investments in manufacturing automation further enhance capabilities to produce diverse dosage forms — ranging from tablets to sprays and liquids to powders — under one roof.
Through its integrated infrastructure, academic partnerships, and global outreach, Zeon is poised to deepen India’s leadership in the international nutraceutical ecosystem by 2030.
Sanjiv Das