Spanish vitamin B12 facility achieves full-spectrum production capability
A €25 million investment in HTBA’s Spanish manufacturing site has established Europe’s first complete active B12 production facility, while also advancing solvent-free flavonoid processing technology. The Barcelona-based company’s expanded capabilities position it to meet growing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry demands for high-purity vitamin B12 variants and plant-based bioactives.
Advanced manufacturing processes elevate production standards
The newly inaugurated state-of-the-art facility in Murcia represents a significant expansion of HTBA’s manufacturing capabilities. The investment has enabled the company to produce all active forms of vitamin B12, making it unique among European manufacturers. This technical advancement strengthens the continent’s position in global vitamin B12 production, traditionally dominated by Asian manufacturers.
Sustainable flavonoid extraction breakthrough
Alongside B12 production advances, HTBA has pioneered a water-based extraction process for diosmin, eliminating the need for artificial solvents. This innovation in flavonoid processing technology marks a notable shift in manufacturing methodology, particularly for compounds used in vascular health applications. The company reports this makes them the sole global manufacturer capable of producing diosmin through entirely solvent-free methods.
Environmental impact reduction
The modernisation project has yielded substantial environmental benefits, with the facility now achieving a 98% waste recovery, revaluation, or recycling rate. New automation systems and renewable energy integration have optimised resource consumption across production lines.
CEO Alexandre Valls-Coma emphasised
the company’s long-standing expertise, stating: “Our origins in citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12 date back more than 45 years and this innovation project marks a huge milestone for HTBA, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to producing high-quality, environmentally responsible products on a global scale.”
Market positioning
The enhanced manufacturing capabilities position HTBA to serve growing demand across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and beverage, and animal nutrition sectors. The company’s dual innovation centres in Spain and Ohio, USA, enable rapid response to market requirements and emerging applications for both B12 variants and citrus-derived compounds.
Technical specifications and quality control measures at the new facility align with pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards, while the water-based extraction process for flavonoids represents a significant advance in green chemistry applications for nutraceutical production.
The completion of this manufacturing expansion strengthens Europe’s position in high-purity vitamin B12 production, while advancing sustainable practices in bioactive compound extraction. This development indicates growing investment in environmentally conscious pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing within the European Union.
