The protein blend is a premix of proteins derived from various sources such as milk, plants, microbial sources, etc. They are available in flavoured forms as well as regular form. Protein blends are also applicable in various end-use industries such as clinical nutrition, fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Protein blends are invariantly used to boost the nutritional content of the processed products they are used in.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROTEIN BLEND MARKET PARTICIPANTS

The sports industry offers a plethora of applications for the protein blend market. Many a time, the end users find the packaging format very inconvenient and thus, innovation can be expected in this space.

Few manufacturers offer protein blends in small packaging formats. Hence, the accessibility of protein blends for B2C consumers is quite low. This aspect opens opportunities for the protein blend market in two areas—smaller and convenient packaging formats and widening of the distribution network for B2C consumers.

Also, consumer awareness about protein blends is low in some of the developing regions. Despite the high market potential, the growth of the protein blend market in these regions has been restricted. Hence, protein blend manufacturers have the opportunity to expand in these regions. This expansion is with regards to distribution as well as production, since raw material procurement for protein blends is also easy, allowing the growth of the protein blend market.

RISING FOOD & BEVERAGE FORTIFICATION HAS LED TO THE INCREASING USAGE OF PROTEIN BLENDS

In developed regions, a robust rise in the incorporation of protein blends has been followed to support the demand from health-conscious consumers who adopt a rigid diet. Increasing incidences of obesity and heart risks have also fuelled the demand for healthy and protein-rich food which has favoured the demand for protein blends.

On the supply side, manufacturing protein blends is particularly useful when the production stock of one protein source is short. For example, the fluctuating costs of milk have drastically affected the production and costs of milk proteins. In such cases, milk proteins can be replaced with proteins derived from other sources to successfully manufacture the protein blend. Some protein blends also procure proteins from sources such as insects, which create considerable ease in the supply chain of protein blends.

The trend for replacing animal protein by vegan or vegetarian protein blends is also trending in the market currently. The rise in demand for meat alternatives and increasing vegan populations consider protein blends an alternative resource to meat. The demand for alternatives coupled with the supply from manufacturers cultivates a very good growth opportunity for the protein blend market.

The global protein blend market is progressing due to the rise in awareness for sports and fitness amongst millennials. Some of the global key manufacturers and suppliers of protein blends are JW Nutritional, LLC, Nutricore Biosciences Private Limited, RFI Ingredients, Scitec Nutrition, Scitec International S.a.r.l., H.J. Baker & Bro., LLC, Rule One Proteins, Superblends Co. Pty Ltd and Osage Food Products. Most manufacturers operate in the whey and milk protein space. The protein blends obtained from sources such as insects and peas are still in the introductory phase and many are focusing on the research and development of protein blends from these resources.