Nutriearth expands natural vitamin D3 distribution across Europe through Nordmann partnership

Nutriearth has signed a distribution agreement with Nordmann to expand access to N-utra, its natural vitamin D3 functional flour derived from mealworms, across Central and Eastern Europe, the DACH region, the Benelux and France. The partnership strengthens Nutriearth's presence in 28 European territories as the French company accelerates international sales of its ingredient ahead of Fi Europe 2025. 

Nordmann will support Nutriearth in expanding access to N-utra to local food manufacturers across Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe. The collaboration aims to help manufacturers develop products that meet consumer expectations for transparency, functionality, and natural nutrition.

“With these new partnerships, we are accelerating the global availability of N-utra and strengthening our local presence in key European markets,” says Thomas Dormigny, co-founder and chief customer officer of Nutriearth. 

Nordmann’s market expertise and strong relationships with manufacturers make them an ideal partner to bring natural vitamin D3 innovation to more consumers across Europe, he says.

The European Food Safety Authority issued a positive opinion on the safety and nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor in 2023, followed by the N-utra receiving EU Novel Food status in 2024.

Mealworm-derived vitamin D3

N-utra is a functional flour made from Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as the mealworm, naturally rich in proteins, B-vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Through Nutriearth’s patented biomimetic method, which replicates the body’s own synthesis of vitamin D3, N-utra provides what the company describes as a natural, sustainable and highly bioavailable source of vitamin D3.

Manufacturers can incorporate N-utra into everyday products including bread, compotes, pasta and biscuits to provide natural vitamin D3, which supports bone and dental health, muscle function and immunity. Nutriearth has already collaborated with a biscuit manufacturer to create madeleines where one piece prepared with N-utra provides 25% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D3.

The formulations do not alter the taste, texture or appearance of finished products, offering what the company describes as a balance of pleasure and health. Studies show that Nutriearth’s vitamin D3 is absorbed up to 3.3 times better than lanolin-derived D3 and twice as well as lichen-based D3, according to the company.

An environmental life-cycle assessment by environmental consultancy Sapiologie demonstrated 76.8% lower greenhouse gas emissions and an eightfold reduction in total environmental impact compared with lanolin-derived D3. All production is carried out entirely in France, ensuring quality, traceability and a secure local supply of vitamin D3.

Market positioning

By incorporating up to 4% N-utra into a recipe, food producers can reposition their offering in the health and nutrition segment, make nutritional and health claims related to vitamin D3, and meet growing consumer demand for healthier, transparent and functional products, Nutriearth says. For European producers, this reduces reliance on imports from China and India, which currently account for 99.9% of global vitamin D3 supply.

“We are proud to partner with Nutriearth to bring N-utra to our customers across Europe,” Ulla Seidel, global sales director life sciences at Nordmann, says. “This innovative ingredient perfectly aligns with our strategy to deliver sustainable and science-driven solutions to the food and nutrition industries.” With N-utra, manufacturers can create products that combine naturality, functionality and consumer appeal, she explains.

The partnership comes ahead of Fi Europe 2025 in Paris from December 2-4, where Nutriearth will present N-utra and Nutra-oil, its natural vitamin D3 concentrate for dietary supplements. “With these new partnerships, we are helping food manufacturers develop the next generation of functional products,” says Jeremy Burks, chief executive of Nutriearth.

N-utra makes it simple to enrich everyday foods with natural vitamin D3 and essential nutrients, supporting both consumer wellbeing and the food industry’s shift toward more sustainable innovation, he says.