Market Trends of Casein and Caseinates Industry
Increasing Application of Casein and Caseinates in Protein-rich Food Products
The increasing demand for protein-rich food and the easy availability of casein protein are driving the casein and caseinates market worldwide, mainly due to the increasing number of health and fitness centers and rising health consciousness among consumers. Functional advancements, including muscle repair, energy boosting, and weight loss, rising usage of protein-based meal replacements, and surging consumer demand for greater ingredient traceability and authenticity are likely to augment the demand for casein and caseinates over the forecast period. According to the Office for National Statistics (UK), protein concentrate sales exceeded GBP 463 million in 2021.
Caseins are widely used in dietary supplement products, which are in high demand among professional athletes, mainly due to their high protein and low-fat content. Hydrolyzed casein and caseinate products are driven by their increasing application in the market's sports nutrition and clinical nutrition segments due to their ease of absorption compared to other whey protein ingredients available. This trend is mainly due to the presence of di- and tripeptides that enhance the absorption of protein by the human body.
North America to Lead the Overall Market
In North America, the increasing prices of raw materials are influencing the prices of casein and caseinates. In the developed economies of North America, the acceptance of casein protein for sports nutrition is driving the market's growth. The availability of affordable, high-quality, edible casein and the demand for acid casein for industrial applications are supporting the market's growth in developing economies.
The prominence of nutritional enrichment in food and beverage products is growing in the market, in line with the rising awareness for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, thus strongly impacting the casein and caseinates market across the region. The multifunctionality of dairy ingredients like casein and caseinates in different end-user industries, like bakery, confectionery, nutritional beverage, meat, and dairy, is escalating their demand in the market. Hence, players have been launching new products to take advantage of the new opportunities in the market across the region. For instance, in 2020, Arla Foods Ingredients launched its first organic ingredient, MicelPure, in Mexico and other parts of the world. This ingredient is a micellar casein isolate, which is low in lactose and fat. The ingredient is heat-stable and has a neutral taste, making it suitable for different end-user industries.
