Inatural Biotech, a leading Chinese probiotic company, dedicated to probiotics research, biomedical technology innovation, and industrialization. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

China's probiotics industry is thriving due to the nation's focus on health and wellness and evolving consumer preferences. The "Healthy China 2030" plan underscores the importance of breakthroughs in key technologies for managing chronic illnesses and precision medicine. Probiotics have emerged as a new generation of health supplements, particularly effective at managing chronic diseases, maintaining digestive health, and enhancing the immune system.

In the post-COVID-19 business landscape, the global probiotics market, valued at $59.3 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6% between 2022 and 2030, reaching $91.7 billion by 2030, according to Reportlinker. China, the world's second-largest economy, is forecast to have a market size of $20.1 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% over the same period.

"The probiotics industry has enormous potential in various fields, such as healthcare," said Zhao Linsen, chairman of Inatural Biotech, a leading Chinese probiotic company, dedicated to probiotics research, biomedical technology innovation, and industrialization.

The Hebei province-based company, situated on over 300 acres, boasts an annual output of 100 tons of bacterial powder.

Zhao stated that over a decade ago, China's domestic probiotics relied mainly on imports from the United States and Denmark. At that time, he was working in the dairy industry and saw an opportunity to provide strains to domestic yogurt brands, which could contribute to the growth and development of the domestic probiotics industry.

For over a decade, Inatural Biotech has concentrated on China's probiotic research, pioneered the industrialization of probiotic freeze-drying technology in the country, and is among the first companies to help draft China's "Edible Lactic Acid Bacteria" industry standards.

Inatural Biotech exemplifies the growth and advancement of China's probiotics industry. As China's development accelerates and the demand for healthcare among its population increases, along with the support of national policies, the research and development of microorganisms, especially probiotics, has rapidly advanced in both the academic and manufacturing fields in recent years, noted Zhao.

Inatural Biotech's third-phase project, backed by 1 billion yuan ($145 million) in investment, focuses on the agricultural sector. According to Zhao, after commencing production, the company is expected to produce 500 tons of pure bacterial powder annually.

"We are committed to supplying high-quality strains for the dairy industry, as well as for products in fields like medicine, and maternal and child care in the future. We aim to promote the continuous, high-quality development of China's probiotics industry," Zhao added.