Completed customer project

Empowering an Australian Natural-Health Brand with Customized Milk Thistle Capsules

A completed Bodakang Bio customer project for an Australian natural-health brand, covering customized milk thistle extract and compound capsules, formula optimization, three sampling rounds, lower-impact packaging and a 100,000-bottle order completed in Q3 2024.

This case summarizes a real completed Bodakang Bio customer project. Product specifications, schedules and commercial results shown below belong to this project and are not universal guarantees for future orders.

BDK milk thistle compound capsule bottle from a completed Australian customer project

Export market: Australia
Transaction product: Customized milk thistle extract and milk thistle compound capsules
Transaction quantity: 100 capsules per bottle; 100,000 bottles
Transaction time: Q3 2024

Customer Background

The customer is a well-known Australian natural-health brand specializing in the R&D, production and sales of botanical health products. With a 15-year history, the brand has built a stable consumer base and a strong local reputation, particularly in liver-health supplement categories.

To improve its existing milk thistle range, the customer selected Bodakang Bio to customize a milk thistle extract and compound capsule with stronger activity retention, a more comfortable consumption experience and lower-impact packaging. The completed project covered formula optimization, three sampling rounds, packaging confirmation, production coordination and delivery of 100,000 bottles in Q3 2024.

Cooperation Process

1. Demand Communication and Plan Formulation (1 month)

At the beginning of the cooperation, Bodakang Bio completed multiple rounds of online and offline communication with the customer and converted the formula, taste, packaging, quantity and schedule requirements into a detailed project plan.

Formula direction: Increase the activity-retention rate of silymarin while coordinating the milk thistle extract and compound-capsule formula.

Capsule experience: Reduce bitterness and astringency while improving capsule disintegration and the overall consumption experience.

Lower-impact packaging: Use packaging materials aligned with Australian degradable-material requirements while balancing appearance, transport stability and product protection.

After two rounds of plan adjustment, the technical route, sampling timeline and packaging direction were confirmed with the customer.

2. Formula Optimization and Technical Breakthrough (2 months)

The technical team focused on the activity-retention rate of silymarin and completed an in-depth formula and process review.

Extraction-process review: After comparing extraction routes, the project selected supercritical CO2 extraction to preserve active components under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions.

Parameter review: Pressure, temperature and time were optimized, increasing the silymarin activity-retention rate from the industry average of 85% to 92%.

Compound direction: Milk thistle ingredients were scientifically compounded to strengthen compatibility and support the agreed product characteristics.

Bodakang Bio maintained close communication with the customer and shared project updates and test data at each milestone.

3. R&D Sampling and Adjustment (1.5 months)

Three rounds of sampling were completed, with each round reviewing taste, fill uniformity and disintegration against customer feedback.

First sample: The first sample established the baseline. Bitterness and astringency required adjustment, and disintegration was slower than the target.

Second sample: Natural sweeteners and process adjustments reduced residual taste and improved disintegration to 25 minutes.

Third sample: The final sample met the customer's taste expectations and stabilized disintegration at 22 minutes. Internal consumer testing exceeded 90% satisfaction.

4. Eco-Friendly Packaging Design and Production (1 month)

The confirmed packaging combined the customer's brand direction with Australian degradable-material requirements and the product's protection needs.

Material selection: The bottle used degradable plant-based plastic, with a paper-based cap and recyclable aluminum-foil gasket.

Appearance direction: The label used the customer's approved brand colors and milk thistle imagery while keeping product identity, ingredients and directions clear.

Sample confirmation and production coordination: Packaging samples were reviewed and adjusted before production began in parallel with capsule manufacturing.

Product Details

(1) Core Ingredients

Milk thistle extract: The selected milk thistle extract uses supercritical CO2 extraction and contains at least 80% silymarin, with a measured activity-retention rate of 92%.

Australian-sourced milk thistle: Locally sourced milk thistle extract was processed at low temperature and combined with the primary extract for formula compatibility.

Excipients: Food-grade microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and compatible excipients were used to support capsule formability and stability.

(2) Product Characteristics

Formula performance: The completed formula combines high-activity silymarin with compatible milk thistle ingredients and met the customer's agreed specification.

Consumption experience: Natural taste-adjustment ingredients reduced bitterness and astringency, while capsule disintegration stabilized at 22 minutes.

Quality and safety: Raw materials and finished capsules were reviewed under the agreed quality specification, including identity, contaminant and microbiological controls.

Environmental protection: The 100-capsule package uses degradable plant-based materials aligned with the customer's Australian-market requirements.

Technical Parameters

Silymarin content: At least 80%
Silymarin activity-retention rate: 92%
Capsule dissolution rate: 22 minutes in simulated gastric fluid at 37°C ± 0.5°C and 50 r/min
Capsule specification: 0.5 g per capsule and 100 capsules per bottle
Packaging materials: Degradable plant-based capsule bottle and cap
Product shelf life: 24 months when stored sealed in a cool, dry place away from light
Production standards: GMP controls and Australian TGA documentation requirements

Customer Evaluation

Cooperating with Bodakang Bio was very pleasant and fruitful. From demand communication to product delivery, the team maintained a professional and efficient attitude and fully understood our requirements for product quality, consumption experience and eco-friendly packaging. Through formula optimization, the activity-retention rate of silymarin increased to 92%; three rounds of sampling solved the taste and dissolution issues; and the final packaging met Australian degradable-material standards while integrating our brand identity. After the product launched, sales increased by 30% within three months and customer repurchase rates increased significantly. Thank you for the professional service, and we look forward to more in-depth cooperation in the future.

— Product Manager, Australian Natural-Health Supplement Brand

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