Arla Foods Ingredients is showcasing its Lacprodan and Nutrilac ProteinBoost whey proteins at the Softdrinks Tech event in São Paulo, Brazil.
The company is focusing on how these ingredients can help South American brands develop protein-enriched, ready-to-drink juice-style beverages. This initiative comes as the functional beverages market in South America is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.75% from 2025 to 2030, driven by consumer interest in health and wellness.
A recent survey conducted by Arla Foods Ingredients involving 4,000 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia highlighted that taste, naturalness, and high protein content are key factors for consumers when choosing food products.
Notably, 31% of respondents expressed interest in having more protein in juices, with this figure rising to 40% among Brazilian consumers.
Arla Foods Ingredients South America application project manager Facundo Martin Cozzi said: “South American consumers are increasingly seeking juice-style drink alternatives that combine natural ingredients, excellent taste, and refreshment with protein benefits such as satiety.
“Lacprodan enables brands to combine the familiar taste of juice and the advantages of high-quality, clear whey protein isolates. For dairies, Nutrilac ProteinBoost allows for innovation with refreshing juice-style drinks boasting superb mouthfeel and creaminess.
“Our solutions are also easy to use, providing an accessible way for manufacturers to develop their product lines, increase sales, and capture market share in a fast-growing segment.”
The Lacprodan whey protein isolates enable brands to produce clear juice-style protein drinks that maintain a refreshing taste profile without the typical milky flavour of traditional drinks. These fat-free solutions support clean label claims and can be processed using UHT treatment without homogenisation.
Nutrilac ProteinBoost offers a smooth viscosity and creamy texture, suitable for products like protein smoothies while supporting low or zero-fat claims.
Arla Foods Ingredients’ whey protein solutions are adaptable for various applications, including nutritious drinks for children, post-workout recovery beverages, fortified breakfast juices, and nourishing options for older consumers.
In July 2025, Arla Foods Ingredients received approval last month from Australian authorities for its Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) ingredient in infant formula products. This makes Lacprodan MFGM-10 the first early life nutrition product by Arla approved in Australia and the sole MFGM ingredient available for use in the country’s infant formula sector for at least 15 months.
