About
Discovering possibility.
Akay Bioactives is guided by a singular purpose: to amplify nature’s ability to enhance human health. Through clinical research and advanced technology, we transform raw materials into premier bioactive ingredients with substantiated benefits.
Our story
Creating something extraordinary.
Akay Bioactives combines the strength of Oterra—the world’s largest manufacturer of natural colors for food and beverage—and Akay, a leading herbal extract manufacturer. With more than 175 years of combined heritage, we bring deep expertise in natural raw materials, nutrition science, application and formulation, and sustainable manufacturing.
Our first nutraceutical ingredient launched in 2008, and we’ve maintained a dedicated commitment to our global product partners ever since.
Akay Bioactives enables our customers to develop natural products that promote better health outcomes. Our revolutionary ingredients are natural, rigorously tested, and transparently sourced and produced.
Our approach is driven by our core principles:
Exploring untapped potential of nature through preclinical and clinical research and development efforts
Improving efficacy by leveraging unique technologies in ingredient discovery, development, and formulation
Making a difference in health areas where we have unique capabilities
Never deviating from our commitment to rigorous science, data, safety, and quality
Giving back by supporting livelihoods for farmers and surrounding communities
Our fully integrated approach allows us to control the entire value chain. Sourcing via the contract farming model, we work closely with farmers and have built long-term relationships with the communities that grow our raw materials. We master all steps of manufacturing in house and conduct every aspect of R&D.
This provides transparency across everything we do:
Achieving highest standards in controls, quality, and traceability in our raw material sourcing
Digitizing agriculture by deploying our proprietary, unique traceability software
Improving lifecycle control of our bioactive ingredients
Enhancing transparency and control of our environmental impact
As part of Oterra Group, Akay Bioactives is fully committed to reducing our corporate emissions in line with Oterra’s climate ambition:
42%
reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 (direct emissions and indirect emissions from purchased energy) by 2030
25%
reduction in Scope 3 (value chain emissions) by 2030
100%
renewable electricity across main sites
In addition to these overall goals, Akay Bioactives is working to protect our ecosystem through other measures:
Improving farming practices and environmental impact by training and supporting farmers through our contract model
Minimizing waste and upcycling sidestreams to improve use of raw materials
Enabling lower dosing through improved ingredient efficacy and formulation
Utilizing our byproduct biomass for steam generation in production
