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FrieslandCampina Ingredients showcases new possibilities for protein

26 October – Amersfoort, the Netherlands: FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global leader in protein and prebiotics, will return to Fi Eu...

Across indulgent bar concepts, high-protein yoghurts and thirst-quenching functional drinks featuring the company’s new Nutri Whey™ Isolate Clear PA, the company’s showcase will reimagine how protein can be enjoyed.

Clear thinking on functional beverages

Fi Europe will see the debut of Nutri Whey™ Isolate Clear PA, a pre-acidified whey isolate designed for refreshing protein beverages. Combining exceptional clarity with a complete amino acid profile, Nutri Whey™ Isolate Clear PA offers a light body and neutral taste, alongside heat stability that gives formulators greater freedom across still and sparkling applications. This ingredient expands FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ clear protein capabilities, opening up possibilities in functional hydration, energy and wellness drinks – a market which is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% between 2025 and 2030.[i]

The company will also showcase three new clear protein drink concepts, including its new ‘Re-vibe’ low-sugar protein plus soda. The concept combines Nutri Whey™ Isolate Clear PA with GOS prebiotic fibre to support gut health. Aimed at health-conscious consumers, the concept – which has been shortlisted for the Fi Europe Health Innovation Award – explores opportunities to combine nutrition and refreshment, offering enjoyable alternatives to sugary drinks and alcohol in social settings.

Smaller portions, bigger nutritional expectations

Reduced appetite can make it harder for GLP-1 users to meet their nutritional needs, particularly protein intake. With research suggesting 40–60% of weight lost may come from lean mass,  protein density is becoming a key expectation for formulators to deliver on. What’s more,[ii] FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ research suggests the GLP-1 effect is also shaping wider consumer attitudes towards portion size and nutritional value.[iii]

In response, FrieslandCampina Ingredients will share innovation inspiration for delivering meaningful nutrition in compact formats. Nutri Boost, a compact shot, packs 20g of protein from fast- and sustained-digesting dairy proteins, while Nutri Balance, a drinkable yoghurt format, delivers 6% protein with a smooth blueberry vanilla taste. Both are made with Nutri Whey™ ProHeat, a microparticulated whey protein especially designed to overcome formulation challenges associated with heat treatment, enabling smooth, high-protein whey drinks.

More protein, less compromise

With one in two consumers replacing confectionery with high-protein or low-sugar alternatives,[iv] FrieslandCampina Ingredients will also highlight the opportunity for brands to rethink familiar food formats with novel flavours and textures.

Visitors will be able to sample a selection of high-protein concepts for healthy indulgence made with Nutri Whey™ ProHeat and Excellion® Textpro, including the Melo Bar, a marshmallow-inspired creation with a fluffy core containing 35% high-quality protein, and a Sticky Caramel Protein Bar, which delivers 20% protein in its caramel layer. Together, these concepts put enjoyment at the heart of protein innovation.

Expert insights for every need 

FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ experts will also take to the stage to share insights on developing tasty nutrition solutions across a range of needs and occasions – including a discussion on the growing opportunities in the children’s health market. 

In Crafting Next-Gen Protein RTDs: How Consumer Trends Are Reshaping Protein Beverage Development (17 November, 15:00–15:25), Stella Effraimidou, Technical Sales Specialist, and Evelien Bikker, Innovation Marketing Manager, will look at how formulation is evolving to meet new consumer expectations. And in Children Keep Growing. Should Their Nutrition Solutions Evolve Too? (18 November, 11:30–11:55) Carolina Donoso, Marketing Manager for Early Life Nutrition will examine how children’s nutritional needs are shaping opportunities for innovation. 

“Protein may have become part of everyday nutrition, but we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible with it. There is still huge potential to explore what happens when the right protein is combined with the right insights, science and formulation expertise,” comments Floor van der Horst, Global Marketing Director for Performance and Active Nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients. “From creating new formats and experiences, to bringing protein into occasions where it hasn’t traditionally had a role, we believe that protein can be a driver of innovation – not just a nutritional checkbox. That’s where we see the next opportunities for our customers, and we’re looking forward to bringing some of these ideas to life with them at this year’s Fi Europe.”

Visit FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ experts on stand #31G38 at Fi Europe 2026

[i] Grand View Research, Functional Drinks Market (2025–2030) 

[ii] Neeland, I.J., Linge, J. and Birkenfeld, A.L. (2024). Changes in lean body mass with glucagon-like peptide-1-based therapies and mitigation strategies. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 26(Suppl 4), pp.16–27. doi: 10.1111/dom.15728. PMID: 38937282 

[iii] FrieslandCampina Ingredients proprietary consumer research: MMR GLP-1 user study, US (2026); BoltchatAI GLP-1 user study, UK (April 2026).

[iv] FMCG Gurus, 2025.