Sunflower protein, part of Tetra Pak’s expanding portfolio of innovative ingredients, offers food and beverage producers a plant-based ingredient to capitalise on the booming plant-based market. This market segment is forecast to triple in size, reaching $35.9 billion by 2033(1).
The Product Development Centres to accelerate time-to-market
The addition of sunflower protein to Tetra Pak’s ingredient offering further strengthens the company’s commitment to supporting food and beverage producers 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 optimise the creation of products that meet the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers(3).
With 74% of today’s consumers actively seeking products with health claims(3), sunflower protein’s nutritional profile(4) presents an opportunity for F&B producers to tap into the growing functional food market. Containing up to 50% protein(4), 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%)(5), indicating an amino acid profile suitable for plant-based formulations.(6)
The global protein market is forecast to surpass $27.48 billion by 2034(7), while Europe’s meal replacement segment alone is set to grow from $2.04 billion in 2024 to $3.91 billion by 2033 (CAGR 7.53%)(8)
At a time when F&B producers face pressure to optimise existing assets and expanding 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 Services and Services 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.”
(1) The global plant-based food market is valued at $14,225.3 million in 2025 and is poised to reach $44,181.9 million by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 12%. Source: Future Market Insights – Plant-Based Food Market Analysis – Size, Share, and Forecast 2025 to 2035. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/plant-based-food-market
(2) This is a recommendation based on internal tests carried out by Tetra Pak, mostly due to viscosity and taste. As a result of their own R&D processes, customers could potentially use higher or lower dosage levels.
(3) Ipsos for Tetra Pak Quantitative Survey on Health & Nutrition 2023 (Brazil, US, China, India, South Korea, Kenya, South Africa, Germany, Spain, UK). https://www.ipsos.com/en/future-health-and-nutrition-tetra-pak-index-2023
(4) Protein content based on dry matter: 53 g per 100 g, as verified in the product specification for SUNTEIN™ Sunflower Protein Pasteurized Extra Fine, Version 02/30.09.2024, provided by Europack Bulgaria
(5) Data based on in vitro analysis performed by Improve SAS (January 2025) using ISO 13903:2005, EU 152/2009 methods and Megazyme K-PDCAAS kit.
(6) PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score) is a method recommended by FAO/WHO to evaluate protein quality based on essential amino acid content and digestibility
(7) https://www.precedenceresearch.com/protein-market
(8) https://www.renub.com/europe-meal-replacement-products-market-p.php
