Wheat Protein Market Analysis By Product (Wheat Gluten, Wheat Protein Isolate, Textured, Hydrolyzed), By Concentration (75%, 80%, 95%), By Application (Dairy, Bakery, Supplements, Animal Feed), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global wheat protein market size was estimated at USD 1.52 billion in 2015. Globally, increasing applications in end-use industry and rising consumer preference for meat-free diets are expected to drive the market growth.

These proteins are extracted and perform numerous functions including film formation, foaming, whipping, aeration, adhesion, dough conditioning, tenderizing and structure enhancement. These storage proteins are collectively called prolamins due to the presence of high content of proline, glutamine and amino acids.

U.S. wheat protein market revenue by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

Rising health concerns among consumers are anticipated to spur the demand owing to the high nutritional value they provide in foods. Increasing cases of obesity all over the globe is expected to surge the demand as they are low in calorie leading to weight loss. In addition, the overall market is predicted to increase owing to the use by body builders and sportsmen for gaining muscles and enhancing strength. Rising applications of these proteins as an additive in animal feed is expected to augment the industry growth over the projected period.

The global market is expected to witness an exponential growth over the forecast period owing to the rising demand for high-proteins and healthy foods. Moreover, increasing demand in the cosmetics industry owing to the presence of gluten which acts as an emulsifier is expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.

However, restricted supply of wheat for extraction of proteins is expected to restrain the industry growth over the forecast period. Moreover, it contains gluten that can cause diseases among consumers which is expected to restrict the demand over the next seven years. Furthermore, increasing prices of wheat with high protein content is expected to confine the growth over the next seven years. Wheat gluten has gained considerable demand but owing to the presence of large alternatives and rising incidences of celiac disease the demand for gluten is falling. Thus, resulting in decrease in prices.

Isolates witness significant demand from health-conscious customers. The product would witness significant demand from fitness conscious customers and would observe improved demand. EU policies have adversely impacted the prices in Europe. The EU policies have encouraged production and export of starch gluten which has resulted in a decline in prices of wheat gluten. Baltic region and Russia have raised their production which would reduce import bills of Europe.

Product Insights

Wheat gluten was estimated as the largest product segment in 2015. Rising application of gluten in hair products, cosmetics, and various dermatologist products have been driving the demand over the past few years, and the trend is expected to continue over the next decade. The majority of the market share is concentrated in North America, on account of the booming food & beverage industry in the U.S.

However, the demand of wheat gluten is restrained during past few years owing to rising incidences of gluten intolerance. Every 1 in 133 people in the U.S. suffers from celiac disease. The disease is hereditary and is passed on within families. It increases the likelihood of liver disease, arthritis, obesity, lactose intolerance, peripheral neuropathy and another disease. Gluten free diet is the only treatment for gluten intolerance. Furthermore, people who are not gluten intolerant are also preferring gluten free diet.

North America was the largest regional market for wheat gluten in 2015 owing to the flourishing food industry, coupled with growing cosmetics and baby food industry, resulting in greater need for gluten.

Asia Pacific would witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period owing to rising health awareness coupled with increasing income levels and rapidly growing food and beverage industry. Wheat gluten would observe significant demand in bakery products in the region, mostly in India, China, and Japan.

Protein Concentration Insights

75% concentration has emerged as a major segment. It has a higher concentration of diluted protein, and the formulation is primarily incorporated in nutritional supplements.

95% and 80% concentration exhibit certain problems in characteristics such as gelation, aggregation, high viscosity, and precipitation. Thus, the formulation development requires stability in the manufacturing process and several other challenges associated with delivery. Thus, restraining the overall demand for higher protein concentration formulations.

Application Insights

In terms of application, dairy dominated the segment in 2015. Huge presence of lactose intolerant people has supplemented the demand of global market in dairy application segment. This protein also acts as an effective substitute for lactose in fermented dairy products.

Soluble proteins enable to form functional dairy products. It is primarily a low-cost milk replacement for milk and is widely used in desserts and vegetable beverages. The target customer base of these products are lactose intolerant people. Moreover, hydrolyzed proteins also act as an efficient replacer for dairy proteins. Thus, rising applications in the dairy segment would continue to fuel the demand in upcoming years.

These proteins act as a vital nutritional supplement for health. It is a low-calorie supplement and contains a higher level of glutamine as compared to whey and casein. It also helps to manage cholesterol levels and cure cardiovascular diseases. Varied benefits enable it to be an essential part of a healthy diet. Thus, driving the consumer demand. Wheat based protein isolates are majorly adopted by bodybuilders and strength training athletes as it is a high nutritional content and is low in calorie.

As the consumer awareness regarding healthy lifestyle is rising the adoption of healthy nutritional supplements is augmenting. Wheat protein is increasingly adopted as a vital health supplement mostly by people who prefer vegan and vegetarian diet. Moreover, increasing incidences of lactose intolerance is further augmenting the demand of overall market as a nutritional supplement.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest regional market accounting for nearly 35% of the total revenue and is expected to witness promising growth during the forecast period. The North America segment is expected to grow on account of increasing consumption of nutritional supplements, bakery products, and snacks. New product introductions by companies including Cargill and MGP Ingredients Inc. are focused on consumer needs for low saturated fat and cholesterol free products thus augmenting the industry demand.

Consumer perceptions regarding health benefits relating to wheat based protein products consumption coupled with FDA approval for major protein ingredients for use in the food industry is expected to result in high acceptance by end-use industries such as food and cosmetics.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth, owing to rising population, improving consumer lifestyle and increasing awareness for healthy foods. China and India are few of the major wheat producers in the region. In addition, growth in healthcare and food & beverage industries is likely to propel demand for wheat-based protein in developing economies such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea over the next few years.

Industrial growth of healthcare and cosmetics sectors in Japan, China, India and South Korea coupled with increasing domestic demand and low manufacturing cost of protein as compared to the U.S. and developed countries of European is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Rising geriatric population and continually changing climate conditions in China, Australia and India have raised concerns for skin problems, which are expected to supplement personal care products demand and in turn likely to augment hydrolyzed wheat protein market growth over the forecast period. Companies such as Roquette, Cargill Inc. and Manildra are focusing on the lucrative opportunities particularly in this region.

Competitive Insights

This industry is highly competitive and concentrated. Key industry participants include Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Agridient, MGP Ingredients, AB Amilina, Cargill Inc., Manildra Group, Crespel & Deiters GmbH and Co. KG, Crop Energies AG, Kroener Staerke and Roquette.

In July 2015, MGP Ingredients added a new hydrolyzed wheat protein to its portfolio named Optein which is widely used as an ingredient in various food and beverage application. New product launches and frequent mergers and acquisitions being undertaken as an attempt to diversify product portfolio and gain share are gaining popularity among key industry players.

Report Scope

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global wheat protein market on the basis of product, concentration, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Wheat Gluten

  • Wheat Protein Isolate

  • Textured Wheat

  • Hydrolyzed wheat

• Protein Concentration Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • 75% concentration

  • 80% concentration

  • 95% concentration

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Dairy

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Nutritional Supplements

  • Animal Feed

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa