BHN Co.

What BHN Co. does

BHN Co. (ビーエイチエヌ株式会社), founded in November 1999 and headquartered in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, is a privately held Japanese functional food ingredient manufacturer and contract developer. The company develops proprietary functional ingredients including CIRCULIFT (a cyclic peptide OF4949-II based night-beauty ingredient for skin elasticity and sleep quality), Botanboufuu powder (organic-certified, sourced from Kikaijima island, with blood sugar and visceral fat functions), Camellia japonica seed extract (Tsuzuki), phosphatidylserine, NMN, β-Alanine, broccoli sprout extract, and others. Core technologies span proprietary extraction and standardization methods, contract farming with organic certification, and a 100+ case clinical trial infrastructure backed by 80+ UMIN registrations and partnerships with multiple medical institutions.

The company operates a vertically integrated business model with four primary revenue streams: (1) raw material/ingredient sales to manufacturers, (2) OEM/ODM contract manufacturing across tablets, capsules, granules, sachets, and T-pouch/liquid three-side seal packaging, (3) systematic review creation and regulatory notification support for Japan's Food with Function Claims system, and (4) entrusted material development services. Manufacturing is conducted at the Harima Production Development Center in Hyogo (ISO22000, JHNFA Health Supplement GMP, Organic JAS certified) and at a Thailand factory for ASEAN market supply. Pricing is quote-based across all streams, with no public pricing disclosure. Go-to-market relies on direct B2B sales supplemented by exhibition participation at major domestic and Asian industry events (Food Development Expo, Health Food Ingredients/OEM Expo, Vitafoods Asia, Fi Vietnam, BeautyAsia) and a monthly email newsletter.

BHN's customer base is horizontal across health food manufacturers, food ingredient companies, and general food manufacturers, served primarily through its EBF (Evidence-Based Functional Food) Business Promotion Office, launched in 2022 to bundle R&D, clinical trials, SR creation, and notification support into a single offering. Notable partnerships include co-development with Kikaijima Herbal Farm, joint research with Kagoshima Junshin Women's University and Kitasato University, and manufacturing collaboration with Nikko Pharmaceutical Industry for T-pouch packaging. The company has accumulated four granted patents on CIRCULIFT and trademarks including β-Alanine TURBO, was awarded the Wellness Food Award 2021 in the food ingredients category, and was recognized as a Cancer Control Promotion Excellent Company in March 2026.

Name

BHN Co.

Legal name

ビーエイチエヌ株式会社

Website

https://bhn.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BHN Co. (ビーエイチエヌ株式会社) is a Japanese functional food ingredient manufacturer and OEM/ODM contract manufacturer serving health supplement and functional food companies with proprietary ingredients, clinical trial support, systematic review creation, and Japan plus Thailand manufacturing capacity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Food Ingredients & OEM Supplement Manufacturing

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Condition-Specific Bioactives (Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Plant Sterols, Melatonin, Lutein/Zeaxanthin) (AFAJAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Functional Foods & Supplement Formats (Gummies, Chews, Powders, Shots) (CRADAGAI), Functional Shot Production (Wellness/Immunity/Focus Shots) (AFAFAFAI)

Keywords

• Functional food ingredients
• OEM supplement manufacturing
• Dietary supplement raw materials
• Clinical trial services
• Functional food notifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Raw Material Sales: Sale of functional food ingredients and raw materials to manufacturers, including proprietary ingredients like Tsuzuki seed extract, Botanboufuu powder, and other functional materials
2. OEM/ODM Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing services for health supplements and functional foods, including tablet, capsule, granule, and packaging forms such as T-pouch and three-side seal packaging
3. Functional Food Application Support: Systematic review (SR) creation, regulatory filing support, and clinical trial services for functional food notification applications to consumer affairs authorities
4. Material Development Entrusted Services: Contract research and development services for new functional ingredients, from planning and functional studies to extraction, powderization, analysis, clinical trials, and final product manufacturing

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

BHN Co. manufactures and sells proprietary functional food ingredients (such as CIRCULIFT™, Botanboufu powder, Camellia seed extract, NMN, phosphatidylserine, beta-alanine, and broccoli sprout extract) and provides OEM/ODM contract manufacturing of health supplements in tablet, capsule, granule, and T-pouch formats. Through its EBF (Evidence-Based Functional Food) division, it also offers clinical trial design, PRISMA2020-compliant systematic review creation, and regulatory filing support for Japanese functional food notifications — serving health food and dietary supplement manufacturers primarily in Japan and ASEAN markets.

Product overview

BHN Co. (ビーエイチエヌ株式会社) is a Japanese functional food ingredient manufacturer and contract manufacturer (OEM/ODM) offering a comprehensive portfolio of proprietary functional ingredients and development services. The core product portfolio includes: CIRCULIFT™ (night beauty skin elasticity ingredient), BHN Botanboufu Powder (blood sugar/visceral fat reduction), Camellia Seed Extract (thermal effects), and various other functional ingredients (NMN, Okra Seed, Phosphatidylserine, Broccoli Sprout). These ingredients are supported by the company's EBF (Evidence-Based Functional Food) division which provides integrated services including raw material research, human clinical trials, systematic review creation, regulatory notification support, and contract manufacturing. BHN operates manufacturing facilities in Harima (ISO22000/GMP certified) and Thailand, offering supplement OEM/ODM production including tablets, capsules, granules, and T-pouch packaging. The company also offers project support services for regional ingredient development and sustainable sourcing initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EBF (Evidence-Based Functional Food): Comprehensive service for functional food development, including ingredient research, clinical studies, systematic reviews, and notification support.

Products and services

• CIRCULIFT™ Night beauty functional food ingredient containing cyclic peptide OF4949-II; supports skin elasticity maintenance and sleep quality improvement, with multiple patents covering fibroblast proliferation, elastase inhibition, and sleep quality improvement. Sold to functional food manufacturers.
• BHN Botanboufu Powder (BHNボタンボウフウ粉末) Powder made from Chrysanthemum paludosum (long-life grass) cultivated organically on Kikaijima island; contains chlorogenic acid for blood sugar control and pteryxin for visceral fat reduction; both cultivation and processing are organic-certified.
• Camellia japonica Seed Extract (ツバキ種子エキス末) Standardized Camellia japonica seed extract (CD25, saponins 25%+); used for thermal/warmth effects, blood flow improvement, anti-obesity, and skin moisture; functional food notification F713 accepted.
• Mature Okra Seed Extract (完熟オクラシード) Mature okra seed extract (OF4949-II) for skin elasticity; functional food notification H1207 accepted.
• Lipamin PS (リパミンPS) Highly purified soy-derived phosphatidylserine for brain function improvement, stress reduction, and cognitive function support; multiple functional food notifications accepted.
• Broccoli Sprout Powder / BroccoSEED (ブロッコリースプラウトパウダー) Broccoli sprout powder and seed extract high in sulforaphane glucoside for liver function support and detoxification.
• NMN (elixSIRT NMN) Nicotinamide Mononucleotide for anti-aging and longevity gene (SIRT) activation; NAD+ precursor supporting mitochondrial energy production.
• Ovomet-HD (卵殻膜粉末) Eggshell membrane powder produced using a patented water-only separation process; contains collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid for skin and joint care, especially effective in elderly consumers.
• β-Alanine TURBO Beta-alanine 98%+ promoting carnosine synthesis in skeletal muscle; for sports performance enhancement and sarcopenia/frailty prevention; trademarked as β-alanine TURBO.
• Yeast Peptide DNF-10 (酵母ペプチドDNF-10) Yeast peptide that works by increasing leptin and decreasing ghrelin to support appetite suppression and calorie control.
• Ginkgo Biloba Extract (イチョウ葉エキス末) Ginkgo leaf extract standardized for flavonoid glycosides (24%) and terpene lactones (6%/1%) for cognitive function and blood flow improvement.
• Black Vinegar (黒酢/有機黒米酢) Black vinegar containing acetic acid for body fat reduction; multiple functional food notifications accepted.
• DuOligo (デュオリゴ) Galactooligosaccharide (15%+) and lactulose (50%+) syrup for intestinal health and detoxification with prebiotic effects.
• Resveratrol (レスベラトロール) French grape-stem-derived resveratrol (ε-viniferin) for longevity gene Sirt1 activation; available in regular and water-soluble forms.
• OEM/ODM Contract Manufacturing Service (OEM/ODM受託製造サービス) Contract manufacturing of health foods and supplements (tablets, capsules, granules, sachets, T-pouch and liquid three-side seal packaging); GMP-certified Japanese facility at Harima plus Thailand factory for ASEAN market supply.
• EBF (Evidence-Based Functional Food) Comprehensive Support Service End-to-end project support for functional food development covering raw material research, human clinical trials, systematic review (SR) creation, regulatory notification filing, and ingredient-to-product launch coordination.
• Systematic Review & Notification Support Service (SR・届出サポート) Systematic review creation and regulatory notification support for Foods with Function Claims, including PRISMA2020 format compliance, literature search, SR documentation, and submission support.
• Human Clinical Trial Service (ヒト臨床試験) Clinical trial design and execution for functional ingredient evaluation covering visceral fat, thermal effects, blood sugar, triglycerides, skin/beauty, cognitive function, intestinal health, immunity, fatigue, and stress.
• Material Development Entrusted Service (素材開発受託サービス) Custom ingredient development from planning, functional research, extraction/powderization, analytical testing, clinical trials, through to final product manufacturing for creating unique functional food ingredients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ clinical trials completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kagoshima Junshin Women's University (鹿児島純心女子大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint research partner with Toyotama Healthy Foods on low-dose kuwa leaf-derived imino sugar for postprandial blood glucose suppression. Research published in 'Pharmacology and Therapeutics' Vol. 48 No. 5 (2020).
• Ralph Yager PhDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic partner for beta-alanine TURBO, providing academic data and effective intake method information for marketing support in sports nutrition and global markets.
• Nikko Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd. (日興약품공業株式会社)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Manufacturing partner for T-pouch and liquid three-side seal packaging. Factory received JHNFA (Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association) GMP certification in 2020.
• Eggnovo S.L. (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Manufacturer of Ovomet-HD eggshell membrane powder using proprietary technology that separates eggshell membrane using only water, without chemical processing.
• Kitasato University Veterinary Medicine (北里大学獣医学部)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joint research on anti-obesity effects of Tsuzuki (Camellia) seed extract. Study published in Journal of Oleo Science 2018, Vol. 67, Issue 12, pp. 1563-1569.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Morinaga & Co., Ltd. Major Japanese confectionery and food manufacturer with an ingredients and functional food business (e.g., glucosamine, collagen peptides). Overlaps with BHN in functional ingredient supply, supplement manufacturing, and FFC notification know-how, but operates at significantly larger scale across a broader portfolio.
• Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. Japanese functional beverage and probiotic company with deep functional food R&D and ASEAN operations. Comparable to BHN on Japan-anchored functional food R&D and international manufacturing presence, though skewed toward dairy/probiotic beverages rather than ingredient supply.
• Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd. Major Japanese food and beverage company with a health science business (including LC-Plasma and iMUSE functional ingredients). Comparable to BHN on proprietary functional ingredient development with patent protection and clinical substantiation, though operating at much larger commercial scale.
• Otsuka Holdings / Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Large Japanese healthcare and nutraceutical company with significant FFC and OTC supplement business (e.g., Pocari Sweat, NatureMade-equivalent lines). Comparable to BHN in functional food regulatory expertise and proprietary ingredient development, but with vastly greater commercial scale and consumer brand reach.

Direct peers

• Daiichi Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of supplements, health foods, and cosmetics with contract manufacturing services. Directly comparable to BHN on OEM/ODM health supplement manufacturing, quality certifications (GMP), and B2B sales channels in Japan.
• Fancl Corporation: Japanese supplement and skincare company with both proprietary branded supplements and OEM/contract manufacturing exposure. Closely comparable to BHN on FFC-oriented functional supplement product development and B2B ingredient utilization.
• Fuji Oil Group Holdings: Japanese manufacturer of plant-based protein, emulsifiers, and specialty food ingredients with global operations including ASEAN manufacturing. Comparable to BHN in functional ingredient R&D, food application support, and overseas OEM/contract manufacturing capabilities.
• Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. Japanese functional food ingredient manufacturer known for branded ingredients such as Suntheanine® and tea catechins. Most directly comparable to BHN on proprietary ingredient development, clinical substantiation, and B2B sales to health supplement manufacturers across Japan and internationally.

Others

• Nagase & Co., Ltd. Japanese trading company specializing in functional ingredients, chemicals, and life sciences. Comparable to BHN as a B2B channel and enabler for functional food ingredients in Japan and across Asia, though operating primarily as a distributor rather than a manufacturer.

Emerging players

• Scientec Co., Ltd. Japanese functional food and supplement OEM/ODM manufacturer. Comparable to BHN on contract manufacturing of health supplements, functional food notification support, and B2B ingredient supply to Japanese health product manufacturers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=9vLsVjNYbgw

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BHN Co.