Tetra Pak’s sunflower protein

Tetra Pak, an asceptic carton solution provider, has announced the launch of sunflower protein, a plant-based ingredient designed to help food and beverage (F&B) producers meet rising consumer demand for plant-based products – while maximising existing investments.

Expanding Tetra Pak’s portfolio of innovative ingredients, sunflower protein provides a plant-based avenue for F&B producers to capitalize on the booming plant-based food and beverage market, which is forecast to triple in size to US$ 35.9 billion by 2033.

Sunflower protein is particularly versatile due to its neutral, slightly nutty flavour profile, smooth texture and off-white colouring. These attributes mean it can be used to create anything from plant-based iced coffee to yoghurt, ready-to-drink protein drinks and more. With a dosing range of 2% to 7%, sunflower protein offers flexibility in formulation and can easily be adjusted to match specific product requirements, whether boosting protein content, enhancing texture or delivering balanced nutrition.

The addition of sunflower protein to Tetra Pak’s ingredient offering further strengthens the company’s commitment to supporting food and beverage producers to enter and expand within the fast-growing food supplement and nutrition (FSN) category. Through its Product Development Centres, Tetra Pak helps F&B producers accelerate time-to-market and optimize the creation of products that meet the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers.

With 74% of today’s consumers actively seeking products with health claims, sunflower protein’s nutritional profile presents an opportunity for F&B producers to tap into the growing functional food market. Containing up to 50% protein, along with fibre, vitamins and antioxidants, sunflower protein provides an ideal ingredient for functional and fortified products. Sunflower protein demonstrates high in vitro digestibility (98%), indicating an amino acid profile suitable for plant-based formulations.

The global protein market is forecast to surpass US$ 27.48 billion by 20347, while Europe’s meal replacement segment alone is set to grow from US$ 2.04 billion in 2024 to US$ 3.91 billion by 2033 (CAGR 7.53%).

At a time when F&B producers face pressure to optimize existing assets and expand into new categories, this renewable ingredient can be integrated into current processes with only minimal adjustments and investment.

Sasha Ilyukhin, senior vice president, global processing service solutions at Tetra Pak, comments, “Sunflower protein is a renewable and flexible ingredient that opens the door to new product opportunities without requiring major changes to existing lines and product formulations. With its adaptable flavour and nutritional benefits, it’s a great way for producers to expand product portfolios using current infrastructure, attract health-conscious consumers, and stay ahead of market trends.”