Alternative Protein Processing Equipment Market By Equipment Type (Extruders, Centrifuges, Fermenters, Mixers and Grinders, Dryers and Coolers, Bioreactors, Other Processing Equipment); By Protein Type (Plant-Based Proteins, Cultured Meat Proteins, Insect-Based Proteins); By End-Use Industry (Food and Beverage Industry, Animal Feed Industry, Nutraceutical Industry); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032.

The alternative protein processing equipment market was valued at USD 3.8 billion in the base year of 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.2% over the forecast time span of 2024-2030. This growth is attributed to consumers' rising interest in other protein sources, innovation in processing machinery, and funding for sustainable food production.

 

The market of equipment for its production serves the rapidly growing industry of proteins, including plant-based, cell-cultured, insect-sourced, etc. Due to the increased demand for sustainable and ethical protein sources worldwide, production technology has become an urgent necessity to enhance productivity and quality and meet regulatory requirements. This market includes machinery such as extruders, fermenters, centrifuges, and mixers, among others that are required in the production of raw materials into consumable forms of protein.

 

Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Sustainable Protein Sources: The high-tech processing equipment industry is expected to evolve with the increasing global demand for sustainable food, which has led to the development of New Protein sources like plant-based and Cultivated Meat. Example: In 2023, a U.S.-based manufacturer of plant-based meats enhanced production capability by 30% through the addition of extrusion systems.

 

Growing Consumer Preference for Alternative Proteins: The drive towards traditional methods of producing meat is gradually diminishing due to concerns about environmental and ethical issues. It has been replaced by plant-based, insect-based, and cultured proteins. The global meat substitute market was USD 17 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 30 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.5% between 2024 and 2030.

 

Government Support and Investments in Alternative Protein Production: Global governments are investing in alternative protein sectors and simultaneously promoting development in protein technology to meet their objectives of food security and sustainability. For example, in 2023, the Singapore government invested $50 million to support the infrastructure of modern protein processing and production facilities.

 

Market Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets. The Asian Pacific, Latin America, and African regions are very promising markets for alternative protein processing equipment due to factors such as growth in urbanization, disposable income, and dietary habits. Example: In 2023, an Indian food tech firm placed new protein extrusion equipment in India due to the rising demand for protein products in the nation.

 

Integration of Automation and IoT in Processing Equipment: By implementing automation and IoT-enabled manufacturing systems, production can increase, waste and cost can be minimized, and traceability can be achieved, providing manufacturers a competitive advantage. Example: One of the Canadian producers of alternative protein launched IoT-based fermentation tanks in 2022 and experienced monitoring through these tanks and savings of 15% of operations.

 

Increased Focus on Cultured Meat Production: As cultured or lab-grown meat becomes more popular, the availability of equipment to process cell culture, bioreactors, and downstream processing offers a prime opportunity. Example: A Dutch start-up released a new mass-produced bioreactor for cultured meat in 2023, which received lots of funding from global firms.

 

Market Restraints

High Initial Investment Costs: The machinery used in the advanced processing of food products usually has high initial investment costs, making the purchase difficult for most small—to medium-sized businesses.

 

Regulatory Challenges: New processing technologies have higher regulatory demands that hamper the operation of the alternative protein industry.

 

Complexity in Scaling Production: Scaling up the production of alternative proteins while ensuring high protein quality and resource efficiency is still a problem for the industry, especially for cell-cultured protein producers.

 

Market Segmentation

By Equipment Type:

• Extruders

• Centrifuges

• Fermenters

• Mixers and Grinders

• Dryers and Coolers

• Bioreactors

• Other Processing Equipment

 

By Protein Type:

• Plant-Based Proteins

• Cultured Meat Proteins

• Insect-Based Proteins

 

By End-Use Industry:

• Food and Beverage Industry

• Animal Feed Industry

• Nutraceutical Industry

 

By Region:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segment Analysis

Leading Equipment Type: Extruders

Customers utilizing extruders held 35% of the market revenue in 2023 due to the significance of formats for manufacturing TVPs and plant-based meat substitutes. Example: In 2023, a German food manufacturer that switched to high-moisture extrusion technology saw an increase in production capacity by 20%.

 

Leading Protein Type: Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins generated the maximum income, 65%, in 2023 because of better acceptance, availability of raw materials, and process techniques. Example: In 2022, a U.S. organization upgraded its production capacities to produce more pea—and soy-based protein products.

 

Regional Analysis

North America accounts for the largest market share, with 40% of the global market in the year 2023, due to increasing consumer preference, innovative technologies, and higher investments in the development of the infrastructure of the AP market. The U.S. contributes to 75% of the North America market share, proving the country is dominant in developing and manufacturing the altprotein. Example: In 2023, a cultured meat manufacturing plant in a developed country launched advanced bioreactor equipment to help increase production efficiency, cutting the cost by 15%.

 

Europe has the largest market share, with 30 percent of the global revenue, because of increased environmental regulations, consumer awareness of using eco-friendly products, and government support for the shift to using alternative proteins. Example: In 2022, an advanced vegan food processing enterprise was established in France to adjust the centrifuge of algae protein for vegan food consumption.

 

Asia-Pacific is rapidly expanding and advancing because the population is increasing, a large portion is becoming urbanized, and people are shifting towards organic methods to obtain food. An example is when, in 2023, a Chinese company invested in an advanced extrusion system to supply the local markets with soy-based protein products.

 

Key Players

• Bühler Group

• GEA Group AG

• Alfa Laval

• SPX Flow, Inc.

• JBT Corporation

• Heat and Control, Inc.

• Tetra Pak International S.A.

• Hosokawa Micron Group

• Marel

• Krones AG

 

Future Outlook

The market for alternative protein processing equipment is nascent, but it has notable growth potential influenced by innovative processing solutions, continued funding in green food solutions, and growing consumer preference for alternative proteins. The most important asian-Pacific, Latin American, and African markets will be accompanied by urbanization, diet change, and governmental actions.

 

Leading players and those who aim primarily at automation and scalable production with low energy intensity shall experience a competitive advantage. The estimated future scenario of the global food industry will include the widespread use of alternative protein processing equipment to support protein demand growth by 2030.