Antifreeze Proteins Market

Antifreeze Protein Market Size, Share & Analysis Report, 2028

[199 Pages Report] The global antifreeze proteins market is estimated to be valued at USD 10 million in 2023 and it is projected to reach USD 50 million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 37.2%. The factors driving the growth are the increasing demand for skin products, frozen foods, medicinal products, and the shift in focus of health-conscious consumers, and rising awareness of food nutrition supports the adoption of antifreeze proteins. The antifreeze protein market is driven by their rising usage in frozen food products globally. They also facilitate the cold storage of fresh food for trade which ensures the maintenance of food quality till the food reaches the end users thus their usage is growing.

The expanding business has offered lucrative business opportunities to the players who are operating in the market segments. For instance, Unilever expanded its R&D capability by opening with a Foods Innovation Centre on the Wageningen University campus, with an investment of USD 96.92 million in the new center. It will lead its global foods innovation program for its brands. The overall antifreeze proteins market is classified as a consolidates market, with the top 5 key players namely Nichirei Corporation (Japan), A/F Protein Inc. (US), Kaneka Corporation (Japan), Unilever (Netherlands), Sirona Biochem (Canada), occupying >50% of the market share.

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Antifreeze Proteins Market Dynamics

Driver: Rising awareness of benefits associated with antifreeze proteins

Antifreeze proteins are also known as ice structuring proteins which are produced by different fish, plants, insects, bacteria, and fungi to survive in sub-zero conditions. These work by binding to ice crystals in order to inhibit their growth. AFPs can block forming of ice crystals in fish and insects by lowering the freezing temperature in the body. Due to this mechanism, antifreeze proteins find a wide range of applications in the medical, cosmetics, and food industries.

Restraint: High cost of production and R&D expenditure

Any company involved in the extraction and manufacturing of antifreeze proteins incurs the high cost of research and development. The extraction of these antifreeze proteins from different sources requires complex instruments and research methods, which increases the overall production cost and price of the antifreeze proteins. Additionally, it also requires complex instruments and hence there are a lot of collaboration seen by key players with research institutes.

Opportunity: Emerging markets in developing regions presenting growth opportunities in the antifreeze protein market

The new generations always opt for convenience, due to its ease of availability. Technology innovation has provided engaging experiences for consumers. There has been a gradual shift in consumer choice towards conventional and sustainable products. Additionally, there has been a spike in demand for cosmetics and vaccines in developing countries like Brazil, India, etc., To fulfill the growing demand for these products which require antifreeze proteins, the market is set to expand in emerging economies.

Challenge: Adverse effects of vegan trends on antifreeze proteins from animal sources

Fish is the most prominent and accepted source of antifreeze proteins, however, due to the growing vegan population around the globe consumers are opting for animal-free ingredients. There are other sources from where antifreeze proteins can be obtained like bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, etc. However, extraction from these sources are very new or at a nascent stage due to which the acceptability of fish antifreeze proteins among vegan population is less and can be a challenging factor in the market growth.

Antifreeze Proteins Market Ecosystem

Based on Type, Type III is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR in the market

Type III marine collagen is mainly extracted from fish and is the second most important and viable source of antifreeze proteins. It works effectively in combination with type I and the medical and cosmetic industries create the highest demand for type III antifreeze proteins, owing to its diversified usage across multiple applications.

The liquid form segment is projected to occupy the second-largest market share in antifreeze protein market during the forecast period.

Liquid form occupies the second-largest market share in the antifreeze proteins market, due to its increasing application in cryopreservation. Though the liquid form has very less application as compared to the solid form, it finds its wider application in the cosmetics and cryopreservation in the pharmaceutical sectors.

Based on end use, the medical segment is projected to occupy the largest market share during the forecast period.

The medical segment largely demands antifreeze proteins due to its anti-infectant properties against viruses, bacteria, fungi. Food safety authorities have approved the use of antifreeze proteins in pharmaceutical products due to its multiple health benefits. It is relatively easily absorbed into the human body as a result, it provides better healing and repair opportunities.

Based on source, the insects segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the study period

Insect antifreeze proteins is a high-quality protein extracted from various types of insects such as crickets, black soldier flies, mealworms, ants, and grasshoppers. Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles are also used as medicines to treat zoonotic diseases as well as human diseases. Although the acceptance of the use of grasshoppers in the pharmaceutical application is at a preliminary stage.

North America: Antifreeze Proteins Market Snapshot

North America holds the highest market share during the forecast period.

North America accounted for the largest antifreeze proteins market share in 2022. The antifreeze protein market in the North American region is largely driven by growing consumer awareness toward environmental sustainability. The region offers an excellent growth opportunity for the manufacturers of antifreeze proteins. Most of the players operating in the antifreeze proteins market are operating in the region and have a strong global presence. Moreover, North America is among the biggest consumer of packed and frozen foods. The region also offers increasing demand for different cosmetics and medicinal products, which are major end-user applications of antifreeze proteins. The region is mainly dominated by a large number of consumers and strong investment in R&D and technological advancements are expected to have a positive impact on the domestic production of antifreeze proteins in North America. These factors drive the market for antifreeze proteins in the North American region.

Key Market Players

Key players in this market include Nichirei Corporation (Japan), A/F Protein Inc. (US), Kaneka Corporation (Japan), Unilever (Netherlands), Sirona Biochem (Canada), ProtoKinetix, Inc. (US), Shanghai Yu Tao Industrial Co., Ltd. (China), Kodera Herb Garden Co., Ltd (Japan), Beijing Huacheng Jinke Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Rishon Biochem Co., Ltd (China), and MyBioSource, Inc. (US).

Antifreeze Protein Market Scope 

Target Audience:

• Supply-side: antifreeze proteins producers, suppliers, distributors, importers, and exporters
• Demand-side: Large-scale cosmetics manufacturers, medicinal product manufacturers, food ingredient manufacturers, and research organizations
• Regulatory side: Related government authorities, commercial Research & Development (R&D) institutions, and other regulatory bodies
• Other related associations, research organizations, and industry bodies:

Antifreeze Protein Market Segmentation:

This research report categorizes the antifreeze proteins market, type, form, end use, source, and region.

By Type

• Type I
• Type III
• Antifreeze Glycoproteins
• Other Types

By Form

• Solid
• Liquid

By End use

• Medical
• Cosmetics
• Food
• Other end uses

By Source

• Fish
• Plants
• Insects
• Other sources

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• South America
• RoW

Recent Developments in Antifreeze Protein Market

• In August 2022, Beijing Huacheng Jinke Technology launched 2 different type I antifreeze membranes which are specific glycopeptides, and peptides made by different organisms to allow cells to survive in sub-zero conditions.
• In December 2021, Kaneka Corporation launched a series of type I antifreeze proteins for different food applications like noodles and rice. With the launch of these products, the company expanded its footprint in the food industry to cater to its different applications.
• In May 2021, Unilever announced that it would partner with ENOUGH, a food tech company, to bring new plant-based frozen food products. ENOUGH’s technology uses a unique zero-waste fermentation process to grow a high-quality frozen food product. This unique product will be apt for Unilever’s fast-growing food segments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

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