We developed a cutting-edge microencapsulation technology that offers a high-volume and cost-effective production of programmed-shell microcapsules for a wide range of active substances. With the timed and controlled release functions, we bring microencapsulation to the next level.

Microencapsulation is a complex technique that involves incorporating active compounds – liquids, solids or gases – in tiny protective spheres, known as microcapsules, having an average diameter as small as Ø 0.5 to 10 µm. The coating, known as shell, is smaller than the width of human hair. It creates a barrier isolating and protecting active compounds from the external environment. It also allows their release at the right place and time, and under certain conditions to suit specific needs.

It’s not just another microencapsulation

We bring microencapsulation to the next level. Our microencapsulation technology offers enhanced functionality allowing a controlled and timed-release function allowing active substances to be released at the right place and time.

The alternatives to our microencapsulation technology available on the market include emulsion spray-drying, microemulsification, liposomal and microfluidic microencapsulation.

Spray-drying is one of the most widely used microencapsulation techniques. However, it’s a low-tech, basic solution. Scientifically speaking, it’s not even microencapsulation. Microemulsification, although low-cost, is technologically limited. It does not allow to programme microcapsule shells and enables the microencapsulation of only a limited number of substances.

Microfluidic and liposomal microencapsulation are more advanced alternatives. However, they are expensive, and the production rate is rather low. Also, although liposomal microencapsulation offers some flexibility with regard to the shell design, liposomes are highly unstable, and the choice of substances is limited. While microfluidic technology allows for flexible microcapsule design with programmed shells, it is high-cost, making it difficult to use beyond research purposes.

Our advanced microencapsulation technology combines the best of all the available techniques. From a technological point of view, it’s on par with microfluidics and is in the same range as spray-drying micro-emulsification with regard to production volumes and costs. Our coaxial electrospray technology is the most technologically advanced microencapsulation solution.

Our technology produces real microcapsules, where active ingredients are placed inside tiny spheres (micro/nanoparticles), providing protection from the external environment and allowing controlled release function (ingredients are released at the right place and at the right time).

Such competitive advantages are the result of our long-standing experience and leading position in scientific research.

Controlled and timed-release function

We can design programmed-shell microencapsulation solutions of any complexity for a wide range of products (dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, cosmetics, sports nutrition and other consumer products).

Today, many microencapsulation companies produce microcapsules with the continuous (slow) release of active substances. However, the release at a defined point in time is a very complex task. None of the existing technologies can do that. Our technology can.

Our technology is the only one on the market producing programmed-shell microcapsules with a complex shell design, which can open and release active substances at the specified time and at the right place, according to predefined scenarios (timed release with high precision, slow/fast release, release by external stimuli, etc.). We can precisely programme the release time, achieving efficacy at an entirely different level. Our technology is a game-changer on the market.

The release mechanism will depend on the selection of the shell material, active compounds and final application of the microcapsules.

• Slow/fast release

We can programme the shells to ensure the prolonged release of active compounds over a long period of time, from a few days to several months, or fast release.

• Triggered release (release on demand)

Alternatively, active compounds can be released under certain circumstances. The microcapsule opening can be triggered by external stimuli (ultrasound, UV light), mechanical action (friction), and environmental conditions (change in temperature or pH).

• Timed release

We programme the microcapsules’ shells to provide the release of active substances with high precision (release at a specific time of the day). We ensure the timed-release mechanism by varying polymers’ composition and density, and shells’ thickness.

Shell materials for microcapsules

Our technology enables a broad selection of FDA-approved biocompatible and biodegradable polymers for microcapsules’ shells: synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural, such as:

• Gelatin
• Agar-agar
• Alginate
• Polylactic acid (PLA)
• Polycaprolactone (PCL)
• other polymers

These shell polymers are non-allergenic, tasteless, odourless, and 100% natural, representing a great alternative to plastic. The selection of shell materials will depend on the final application of the product taking into consideration required microparticle size, properties of active compounds, required release mechanism and manufacturing costs.

Our technology enables the production of microcapsules of various sizes (Ø 0.5 to 10 µm), mono- or multi-layered. While the microcapsules offered today on the market often significantly vary in size, our technology produces uniform microcapsules with much smaller variations in size.

The selection of shell materials will depend on the final application of the product taking into consideration required microparticle size, properties of active compounds, required release mechanism and manufacturing costs.

Our advanced microencapsulation technology

We offer multiple solutions for the design and production of microcapsules.

Our patented coaxial electrospray technology enables the production of micron- and submicron structures of a given geometry (spheres, fibres). The shells can be designed as mono- or multi-layered depending on technological needs. Our technology makes it possible to encapsulate almost any substance, including small molecules and microelements.

To produce microcapsules, an active substance enters through the inner tube and a coating polymer through the outer tube. Both are combined on the exit resulting in the controlled process of microencapsulation. This allows us to encapsulate a wide range of substances and achieve the required properties of a final product.

The production capacity of one industrial unit ranges from several kilos to several tons of microcapsules per month.

Patents:

“Photosensitive capsules and cosmetic and pharmaceutical use thereof” 2021, US10945963B2

“Biodegradable multilayer nanocapsules for the delivery of biologically active agents in target cells” 2020, US20200375914A1

“Core-shell composite material” 2018, US20180344650A1

“Array of microcapsules for controlled loading of macromolecules, nanoparticles and other nanoscale items and a method of fabricating it” 2013

In total, our team has over 400 scientific publications on microencapsulation technologies.