By Yantoultra Ngui

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The owners of aland Health Holding, a China-based global nutritional supplement maker, are seeking to sell their combined controlling stake, targeting a valuation of more than $1.5 billion, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Founder and chairman Chang Liang holds around 60% of the company, with the remaining shares held by investment firms including Affinity Equity Partners, Goldman Sachs Growth Equity and Henderson Investment Corp, the sources said.

The company, which is on track to generate about $150 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) this year, has attracted preliminary interest from strategic buyers and private equity firms, one of the sources said.

Aland's U.S. footprint, driven by its subsidiary International Vitamin Corporation (IVC), is a major draw for potential bidders seeking to expand domestic production and capitalise on surging global demand for wellness and nutritional products, the source added.

Plans to sell aland are still in the early stages without any fixed deadline yet for inviting non-binding bids from prospective bidders, both sources said. Both sources declined to be named as the matter is private.

Aland did not respond to requests seeking comment.

Affinity, Goldman and Henderson declined to comment.

The global nutritional supplements market, valued at $485.6 billion in 2024, is forecast to reach $704.3 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 6.4%, according to Grand View Research.

The potential deal, details of which have not been previously reported, comes amid a strategic reset of global supply chains, driven in part by U.S. efforts to bring manufacturing and employment back to the United States.

Founded in China in 1998, aland has grown into a multinational player with more than 5,000 employees, 11 manufacturing sites and four international research and development centers in Asia, North America and Europe, according to its website.

Through IVC, the company operates manufacturing facilities in the U.S., including major sites in South Carolina that it acquired from GNC in 2019, its website showed.

Chang has been instrumental in aland's international expansion, including its acquisition and integration of IVC, and growing aland into a major global nutraceutical company, according to multiple Chinese domestic news reports.

Aland produces and sells worldwide more than 30 billion tablets, 9 billion softgels, 6 billion capsules and 16,000 metric tons of powder annually, its website said.

It makes branded health supplements and over-the-counter products sold directly to retail consumers, and supplies private-label vitamins and supplements to major retailers and distributors such as Walmart and Costco.