Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormBulk powder (commonly calcium pantothenate or pantothenic acid for supplement/fortification use)
Industry PositionNutritional ingredient (dietary supplements, food fortification, and animal nutrition premixes)
Market
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is an essential water-soluble vitamin traded globally mainly as synthesized pantothenic acid and salts (notably calcium pantothenate) for use in dietary supplements, fortified foods, and animal nutrition premixes. International trade reporting commonly sits within HS heading 2936 for vitamins, including HS 293624 for D- or DL-pantothenic acid and derivatives, with cross-border flows tracked in UN Comtrade and ITC Trade Map. Demand is driven by formulation needs in supplement and premix manufacturing rather than agricultural seasonality, making supply availability more sensitive to industrial production disruptions and quality/regulatory compliance. Market access is shaped by buyer specifications (assay/identity/impurities) aligned to pharmacopeial or food-grade standards and by supplement regulatory frameworks (e.g., Codex guidance for vitamin/mineral supplements and region-specific rules).
Specification
Major VarietiesD-pantothenic acid, DL-pantothenic acid, Calcium pantothenate (calcium D-pantothenate), Sodium pantothenate, Pantethine (used in some supplements), Dexpanthenol / panthenol (provitamin B5; used notably in cosmetic/pharma contexts)
Physical Attributes- Typically supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder in bulk ingredient trade (common for calcium pantothenate and pantothenic acid forms)
- Moisture sensitivity/hygroscopicity is a practical handling consideration for many vitamin powders (packaging and humidity control important)
Compositional Metrics- Assay expressed as pantothenic acid activity/content (specification basis varies by salt/form)
- Moisture / loss on drying limits commonly specified for storage stability and handling
Grades- Pharmacopeial grades (e.g., USP–NF; Ph. Eur.) for regulated applications and quality-aligned supplement supply
- Food-grade material aligned to applicable food chemical specifications and additive/nutrient regulations, depending on end use
Packaging- Moisture-barrier inner liners (e.g., sealed plastic/foil bags) within outer cartons or drums for international shipment
- Packaging designed to limit humidity ingress and contamination during transport and warehousing
Risks
Supply Concentration HighGlobal availability can be disrupted if a limited set of industrial producers experiences plant outages, compliance shutdowns, raw-material/energy cost shocks, or logistics disruptions; this can tighten supply rapidly because vitamin B5 is demanded as a routine inclusion in premixes and supplements and is not seasonal.Qualify multiple suppliers and (where feasible) multiple acceptable forms (e.g., calcium pantothenate vs. pantothenic acid), maintain safety stocks for premix operations, and use contracts with contingency supply clauses.
Regulatory Compliance HighSupplement and food-ingredient markets require robust documentation (identity, assay, impurities, microbiological quality where applicable) and alignment to pharmacopeial/food-grade expectations; non-compliance can trigger border holds, recalls, or delisting by downstream brands/retailers.Use GMP-qualified suppliers, require batch COAs and traceability, perform incoming testing (assay/identity and key contaminants), and maintain regulatory dossiers aligned to target markets.
Quality Degradation MediumMoisture uptake during storage or transit can cause caking, flow issues, and potential out-of-spec results on moisture/loss-on-drying, impacting premix blending accuracy and finished-product uniformity.Specify moisture-barrier packaging, control warehouse humidity, minimize open handling time, and validate rework/sieving procedures if caking occurs.
Customs Classification MediumMisclassification within HS 2936 subheadings (or confusion between pure/unmixed vitamin forms vs. mixtures/premixes) can lead to delays, documentation mismatches, or unexpected duties/controls at destination.Align product description, CAS/INCI (where relevant), and specification with the intended HS code (e.g., HS 293624 for D- or DL-pantothenic acid and derivatives, unmixed) and maintain consistent shipping documentation.
Sustainability- Environmental management of industrial chemical production (energy use, solvent handling, wastewater/effluent control) for synthesized vitamin ingredients
- Packaging waste and end-to-end traceability expectations in supplement supply chains (increasing buyer ESG scrutiny)
Labor & Social- Industrial process safety and worker exposure controls in chemical manufacturing and packaging operations
- Supply-chain integrity expectations (auditability, documentation, and responsible sourcing programs for supplement ingredients)
FAQ
What forms of vitamin B5 are commonly used in dietary supplements?Pantothenic acid supplements are sold as pantothenic acid itself and in other forms; NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements notes that supplements more commonly contain calcium pantothenate, and some products contain pantethine.
Is there a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for pantothenic acid?No. The U.S. Dietary Reference Intakes process did not establish a UL for pantothenic acid due to insufficient evidence of toxicity in humans, and NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements similarly reports that a UL could not be established.
Which HS code is used to report international trade for pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and its derivatives?UN Statistics Division HS references list code 293624 under HS 2012 for D- or DL-pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and its derivatives, unmixed, within heading 2936 for provitamins and vitamins.