Lipid Systems

Lipid Systems develops and produces purified polar lipids for use in formulations in food, dietary foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. Polar lipids have unique properties and perform several functions, including carrying energy and essential fatty acids, and acting as an in vivo lubricant and an emulsifier.

A strong link between basic research and industrialisation

Lipid Systems is located in Norberg, about 170km from Stockholm, Sweden, and has over 45 years of development, pilot-scale project and production experience in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

A lot of ideas and new products are developed in the laboratory, and many economic, environmental, scale-up, rational and quality issues have to be considered and accepted by the relevant authorities on the road to industrial and commercial-scale production. Lipid Systems is a natural partner and facilitator, especially in the field of project work in the lipid chemistry and technology industries.

The company's capabilities include:

small-scale development and screening

analytical screening

laboratory-scale preparation of emulsions and ointments

pilot extraction

pilot freeze-drying

EX-classified pilot and process facilities

pilot and process-scale fractionation and

low-temperature evaporation

contract manufacturing

large-scale high-performance liquid chromatography.

The company's area of expertise include:

lipid chemistry and technology

concentration and purification of lipid compounds

emulsion formulation

technology transfer

hazard analysis and critical control point and good laboratory practice quality systems

industrialisation/commersialisation

organic chemistry.

Unique lipid expertise and know-how

The most commonly used natural emulsifier today is soy lecithin, especially in the food industry (bakery, chocolate, etc). The soy plant has been the subject of genetic modification and the availability of non-genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is limited. GMOs are not allowed within the EU and demand for new sources containing polar lipids with multifunctional properties is steadily increasing.

Growing interest in polar lipids

Lipid Systems has unique expertise in lipid technology and chemistry, specifically relating to polar lipids, and is heavily involved in systems with multifunctional properties. Traditional refining of edible oils focuses on the removal of polar lipids (degumming) relatively early on in the processing procedure. Lipid Systems is focused on doing the opposite by removing the oil from polar lipids, a radically different approach to process technologies and sustained quality in lipids that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A sharper focus

Areas of interest and focus within the field of lipids include oat oil, which contains most existing polar lipids, has a high galactolipid content and is able to form the in vivo lubricants known as estolides. Galactolipids have self-assembling properties, offer extremely stable emulsions and interact very well with skin. Several applications have been identified and research is ongoing.

Sources containing high concentrations of polar lipids and essential fatty acids with multifunctional properties are among Lipid Systems most interesting development projects. The company is just beginning to research possible applications and is at the forefront of the industry with regards to technology and processing.