Nutriearth opens France facility to transform natural vitamin D3 production

Nutriearth has inaugurated its first European manufacturing site in Carvin, France, marking a major milestone in its mission to produce natural, sustainable vitamin D3 at industrial scale. The new state-of-the-art facility, which integrates research, development, and production under one roof, positions the French startup as a global leader in responsible micronutrient manufacturing.

The Carvin plant was developed following a €7.45 million fundraising round and will produce Nutriearth’s patented vitamin D3 ingredients – Nutra-oil and N-utra – for use in human nutrition, functional foods, dietary supplements, pet food, and animal feed. The facility adheres to pharmaceutical-grade quality standards and cleanroom principles, with physically separated production lines for oil and powder formats.

“This new facility broadens Nutriearth’s reach and makes it a major actor in the European and global vitamin D3 market,” said Jeremy Burks, CEO of Nutriearth. “Our method delivers the world’s only natural, sustainable, and highly bioavailable vitamin D3, setting new standards for human nutrition and planetary health. The Carvin site has the capacity to cover the vitamin D3 needs of over 50 million people, supporting healthier lives throughout Europe and around the globe.”

The launch was attended by Philippe Beauchamps, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-France Region, who praised the company’s contribution to regional innovation and job creation. “Nutriearth is a perfect example of what we aim to promote in Hauts-de-France: a company born here, that innovates, grows, and chooses to establish itself firmly and sustainably in our region,” he said. “With this new site in Carvin, we are sending a strong message: Hauts-de-France is a land of innovation and sustainable industrialisation.”

Nutriearth’s biomimetic technology represents a breakthrough in vitamin D3 production. Derived from the edible insect Tenebrio molitor (mealworm), the company’s patented process mimics the way the human body synthesises vitamin D3. Mealworm flour, naturally rich in a precursor identical to that found in human skin, is exposed to a specific wavelength of light that converts it into bioactive, highly absorbable vitamin D3 – without the use of chemical solvents or additives.

Scientific studies show Nutriearth’s vitamin D3 is absorbed up to three times better than conventional lanolin-derived D3 and twice as well as lichen-based versions. An independent life cycle assessment also found a 76.8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an eightfold lower total environmental impact compared with traditional production methods.

The opening of the Carvin facility comes amid growing awareness of vitamin D deficiency, which affects nearly half of the world’s population and is linked to a range of health concerns, particularly in children, seniors, and people with limited sun exposure. By producing locally in Europe, Nutriearth aims to reduce reliance on imports from China and India, which currently account for nearly all global vitamin D3 supply.

“Our investment delivers immediate benefits for European producers and consumers,” Burks said. “We are building a more resilient, sustainable supply chain that supports both public health and the ecological transition.”

Nutriearth’s N-utra functional flour, authorised by the European Commission in February 2025, can enrich everyday foods such as bread, pasta, and energy bars. Its Nutra-oil ingredient, already approved for supplements and functional foods in North America, is under review for European use and expected to receive approval in 2026. Both formats offer a natural, high-performance alternative to synthetic or animal-derived sources.

Backed by more than 60 patents, the company is supported by a strong network of institutional investors and regional partners, including Demeter Investment Managers, Captech Santé, Rev3 Capital, Nord Capital, Nord France Amorçage, and BPI France. Burks credited these partners, alongside local authorities such as Nord France Invest and Agglomération Hénin-Carvin, for helping bring the project to life.

“Today, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our investors, suppliers, customers, and regional partners for making this milestone possible,” said Burks. “Their belief in our mission has enabled us to create a new model for sustainable health and nutrition.”

With its Carvin site now operational, Nutriearth is poised to scale its biomimetic process globally, offering industries and consumers alike a locally produced, environmentally responsible source of vitamin D3.

(From left to right, main photo shows Jérémy Defrize, Co-founder of Nutriearth; Philippe Beauchamps, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-France Region in charge of business relations, employment and training; Frédéric Motte, Regional Councillor Delegate for Regional Economic Transformation and President of the Rev3 mission; and Jeremy Burks, CEO of Nutriearth)