Global sales of protein films are valued at USD 132.5 million in 2024 and are expected to touch a revenue of USD 234.0 million in 2034. Revenue is set to increase at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period, from 2024 to 2034. Protein films industry generated revenue worth USD 125.0 million in 2023. It is expected to record a Y-o-Y growth of 4.3% in 2024.
Among the protein films sources, most used is gelatin film due to its good film-forming property and broad availability. Gelatin, obtained from collagen of animal connective tissue, gives a flexible, transparent film with good barrier properties. It dissolves in hot water and gels by cooling hence suitable for multiple applications.
Besides this, due to their biodegradable and nontoxic nature, gelatin films can also be used in food packaging. Other sources of proteins used are those from soy and wheat gluten, however, one of the most popular remains gelatin as it has been proven throughout a very long history of its application.
Global Protein Films Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 125.0 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 132.5 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 234.0 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 5.9% |
Applications of protein films are led by food and beverages, since they can provide enhancement in food preservation and reduction of waste, offering edible and biodegradable packaging. In this sector, the barrier properties of protein films against moisture, gases, and oils are excellent and help in extending shelf life.
Besides, they are nontoxic for direct contact with food and hence ideal for food coatings & wrappings. Further increasing demand for green packaging and eco-friendly solutions accelerated more usage in the food industry. They find, though much less, applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries.
North America is anticipated to dominate the protein films market size by acquiring 21% of the share in the protein films market. Due to growing advanced technologies and caters wide-scale technological adoption in protein films are rising protein films market share. Further with the advent of companies in nanotechnology, demand for protein films is anticipated to shoot up over the end of the forecast period.
The Europe region is likely to stand in second place in the protein films market size by acquiring 17% of the share. Due to the rising demand for protein films rapidly in Western Europe due to rising disposable income. The Government and manufacturers of the protein films market are all set bold targets to increase the usage of protein films in the region. This is likely to expand the protein film market share during the forecast period.
The protein films industry is set to experience promising growth during the forecast period. It is projected to create an incremental opportunity of USD 1.06 billion and is predicted to rise 1.9 times the current market value through 2034.
The above table presents the expected CAGR for the global protein films market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2024 to 2034. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 5.7%, followed by a slightly low growth rate of 5.4% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 5.7% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 5.4% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 5.3% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 5.7% (2024 to 2034) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to increase slightly to 5.3% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 5.7% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 30 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 40 BPS.
Rising Demand in the Food Industry Driving the Protein Films Market
The increasing demand for protein films in the food industry is related to their role in preserving foods by acting as edible coatings; such coatings improve shelf life through the regulation of moisture and gas exchange and the prohibition of microbial contamination. Thus, such films are regarded as a more sustainable alternative to conventional packaging and meet the growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly options.
The edible packaging-made from natural protein sources like soy, casein, and whey-fits into the trend toward healthier, free-from-additive foodstuffs. As consumer interest for natural alternatives grows along with health awareness, protein films fill the gap with a solution that is not only functional but also appealing to support the flow in clean-label food products.
Edible and Functional Packaging Solutions Create a Demand
There is an increasing trend of edible and functional packaging solution development in protein films, especially in the food and beverage industries, because these films reduce packaging waste due to the fact that they are consumed with the product. Edible protein films offer biocompatible alternatives to conventional plastic packaging, thus meeting the demand for sustainability among consumers.
In addition, the inclusion of functional additives to the films, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and moisture-resistant agents, adds extra value to their application. Whether it is preventing spoilage or enabling a longer storage time, protein films are an innovative, dual-function packaging that can maintain quality by restricting microbial growth and oxidation.
Manufacturing Protein-Based Films is Often More Expensive
High production cost for protein-based films may be attributed to some reasons like natural raw materials, which generally speaking, are more expensive than petroleum-based raw materials employed by synthetic packaging. Besides, extraction and processing of proteins into film-forming materials are done with special techniques that enhance the cost of the processes.
In this respect, the scalability issues of protein films against synthetic films also tend to contribute to higher production costs. This cost factor, on a real level, makes their competitiveness in the wider packaging market limited. Their adoption is hence often constrained by budget considerations in more or less cost-sensitive industries.
The global protein films industry recorded a CAGR of 3.4% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. The growth of protein films industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 125.0 million in 2023 from USD 109.5 million in 2019.
Protein film market shares are anticipated to rise in recent years due to the use of edible packaging materials over synthetic films. This packaging leads to an increase in the demand for protein films during the forecast period. In addition, the adoption of protein films can also be used for the individual packaging of small portions of food, particularly products.
It is also used for other packed products such as beans, nuts, and cashew nuts which are likely to grow the protein films market trends. The demand for protein films of mechanical rise as they are better than those polysaccharide and fat-based films.
The proteins have a unique structure that confers a wider range of functional properties, especially a high intermolecular binding potential. These factors are likely to increase the protein film market growth during the forecast period.
The adoption of protein films and coatings is up surging as they are biodegradable and compostable easily. As they degrade, they provide a source of nitrogen, which contributes to a fertilizer benefit and are estimated to increase the protein films market size.
Based on the product, it is categorized as collagen, gelatin, and soy protein films, among others are likely to rise the protein films market growth recently. Young’s modulus or elastic modulus impacts the growth of protein film market size. This modulus provides information about the resistance of a film during deformation, which is growing the protein films market demand analysis during the forecast period.
The pH and heating temperature of protein film solutions had the greatest effect on edible films' physic-chemical and permeability properties. The adoption of protein films can be replacements for synthetic gas barriers, but their mechanical properties still need improvement. Nanotechnology is a viable way to improve tensile and barrier properties to boost the growth of the protein film market.
The water vapor permeability of wheat gluten was improved by including montmorillonite clay nanoparticles. Nanoparticles and variations at the nanometer scale affect electronic and atomic interactions without changing the chemistry. These factors are up surging the protein films market demand analysis during the forecast period.
Tier 1 companies include market leaders that correspond to a market revenue above USD 5 million capturing significant market share between 15% and 20% of the global market. These market leading firms are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio.
These players are characterized by substantial manufacturing experience concerning a range of products for different applications and geographic penetration, backed by a strong consumer base.
These companies manufacturing the products have products on offer with a wide range and with state-of-the-art technological innovations, coupled with adherence to regulatory imperatives that offer nothing but the best quality. Tier 1 prominent companies include AMETEK MOCON Inc., and Monosol, LLC.
The companies in Tier 2 include mid-size players with revenues of USD 2 million to USD 5 million, present in specific regions, and highly influencing the regional market. Such players are characterized by a limited international presence and well-maintained market knowledge.
In the case of such market players, the technology is good, and the regulatory compliance is ensured, though advanced technology with wide global reach may not be there. While other prominent companies in tier 2 include Glanbia Nutritionals, Inc. Devro, and others.
The rest are very small companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets having revenue below USD 2 million. These companies are notably oriented to the fulfillment of local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment.
They are players on a very small scale, and have very limited geographical reach. Within this context, Tier 3 can be described as an unorganized market-a generic term applied to that part of the industry which has less structure and formalization compared to the organized competitors.
The section below covers the industry analysis of the protein films market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several regions of the globe, including North America, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and others, is provided.
In North America, United States is anticipated to register a moderate growth at 2.6% through 2034. In South Asia Pacific, India is an emerging country in protein films projected to witness a growth rate of 5.3% by 2034 end.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| USA | 2.6% |
| Germany | 2.3% |
| UK | 2.8% |
| Brazil | 4.7% |
| India | 5.3% |
| China | 5.1% |
| Japan | 4.4% |
| GCC Countries | 4.6% |
USA industry for protein films is anticipated to capture 2.6% growth rate and capture prominent market share in North America.
Growth projected in the global B2B commerce market to reach USD 36 trillion by 2026 indicates a lot of trade and, subsequently business transactions that are likely to occur, hence a high potential for the sales of protein films in the USA With increasing B2B transactions comes the increasing demand for different sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials that companies have in mind for the end-consumer, not forgetting regulatory demands.
It also fosters increased collaboration between suppliers and buyers in such industries as food, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, for which the protein films are of much value as biodegradable and functional packaging alternatives. Growing demand for green packaging in B2B commerce would drive the sales of protein films in the USA
India expected to capture an attractive share of the South Asia & Pacific region for protein films during the forecast period. The country is expected to acquire 5.3% growth rate in assessment period.
The food sector especially the food service industry in India experiencing lucrative growth and is expected to witness it in the future as well. India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) stated that the food industry in India is anticipated to acquire from USD 41 billion in 2022 to 80 billion by 2028 widening at an 11.2% growth rate.
The trending growth of the food and beverage sectors in India impacts the protein films market positively. Regulatory frameworks in India getting stricter in the complex political landscape which further forces the manufacturers to retailers to adopt more safer and convenient options such as protein films.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry.
| Function | Barrier Protection |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 45% |
Barrier protection is anticipated to record a market share of about 45%. The major use of protein films is in the area of effective barriers to gases, moisture, and oils, which is quite vital in food packaging and preservation. That functionality would give extended shelf life and quality to the products, which, in turn, will definitely be of immense value to the food and beverage industries.
This, added to the demand for sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials, will further fuel the adoption of protein films for barrier protection to make the dominant application.
| Source | Soy Protein Films |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 23% |
Soy protein films account for 23% of the market share in the global protein films. It is expected that soy protein films will represent the highest growth rate in the future. Driving factors are wide availability, reasonable material costs, and very good film-forming properties that make it an attractive alternative in biodegradable packaging.
Given the increasing demand of consumers for plant-based and sustainable materials, soy protein films fit nicely within these trends. Their versatility in both food and non-food uses, considering the low allergenic risks as compared to other sources like wheat or casein, is another reason for a bright future of these proteins.
The protein film start-ups are likely to use several innovative products to carry antioxidant agents some of them are biomagnetic products, herbal capsules, and powder. The various start-up manufacturing companies are innovating several products to carry out which are defect-free products to satisfy the consumer's needs.
The best quality protein film products attract the end users which creates faith among them to carry out more unique products. One of the companies Shri industry is offering beta carotene and antioxidants powder for consumers' demand and stringently monitoring different parameters. These products reemerging trends in the protein film market during the forecast period.
Recent Industry Developments in Protein Films Market
In terms of protein source, the industry is divided into collagen films, gelatin films, corn zein films, wheat gluten films, soy protein films, casein films, and mung bean protein films.
In terms of application, the industry is segregated food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.
The industry is classified by function as barrier protection, edibility, and antimicrobial films.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, and Middle East and Africa (MEA), have been covered in the report.
The global protein films industry is projected to witness CAGR of 5.9% between 2024 and 2034.
The global protein films industry stood at USD 125.0 million in 2023.
The global protein films industry is anticipated to reach USD 234.0 million by 2034 end.
South Asia and Pacific is set to record the highest CAGR of 5.3% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global protein films industry include AMETEK MOCON Inc., and Monosol, LLC.
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Protein Films Market
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