Top 10 Leading Extruded Protein Crispies and Inclusions Companies to Watch Through 2031

The global extruded protein crispies and inclusions market is gaining momentum as food manufacturers respond to rising consumer demand for high-protein, functional, convenient, and better-for-you food products. Extruded protein crispies and inclusions enable manufacturers to increase protein content while delivering desirable crunch, texture, mouthfeel, shape, and visual appeal across a broad range of applications.

According to the latest MarketsandMarkets analysis, the global extruded protein crispies and inclusions market is projected to grow from USD 0.29 billion in 2026 to USD 0.46 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 9.9% during the forecast period. The market is being supported by growing demand for protein-enriched foods, sports nutrition, functional foods, breakfast cereals, protein bars, snacks, bakery products, confectionery, meal replacements, and other nutrition-focused products.

Extruded protein crispies and inclusions are manufactured using protein sources such as soy, pea, rice, wheat, milk, and whey proteins. Advances in extrusion and ingredient-processing technologies are allowing manufacturers to develop customized protein levels, textures, shapes, sizes, and formats for different food formulations.

Here are the top 10 leading companies profiled in the latest MarketsandMarkets research:

1. PGP International (US)

PGP International is a key player in the extruded protein crispies and inclusions market, offering specialized ingredient solutions for food and nutrition applications. The company provides protein inclusion formats designed to improve protein content while adding crunch and texture to finished products.

Its portfolio includes extruded protein formats such as protein crisps, bites, loops, flakes, puffs, and curls, produced from dairy- and plant-based protein sources. These formats can be incorporated into protein bars, breakfast cereals, granola products, confectionery, snacks, and other nutrition-focused applications.

PGP International's focus on product functionality, customized ingredient formats, and application-oriented solutions positions the company to benefit from increasing demand for protein-enriched foods.

2. ADM (US)

ADM is a global food processing and nutrition company with extensive capabilities across agricultural commodities, food ingredients, and nutrition solutions. The company's broad protein portfolio enables food manufacturers to develop products that address increasing consumer demand for protein-rich and functional foods.

ADM participates in the extruded protein crispies and inclusions market through protein ingredient solutions based on sources such as soy and other plant-based proteins. These ingredients can support applications including protein bars, snacks, cereals, and other nutrition-focused food products.

The company's global manufacturing capabilities, ingredient expertise, and formulation support strengthen its position as food manufacturers expand protein-enriched product portfolios.

3. Glanbia plc (Ireland)

Glanbia is a leading global nutrition company with extensive expertise in dairy-based proteins and specialized nutritional ingredients. Its capabilities in whey and milk-derived proteins support applications across sports nutrition, functional foods, protein bars, beverages, and other high-protein products.

Glanbia's presence in extruded protein crispies and inclusions is supported by its expertise in dairy nutrition and protein ingredient technologies. The company's focus on high-quality nutritional ingredients enables manufacturers to develop products that combine high protein content with desirable texture and sensory characteristics.

In March 2026, Glanbia announced plans for a new production facility in Suzhou Industrial Park, China, to expand its manufacturing footprint in Asia and support localized production of protein powders and nutritional ingredients. This expansion strengthens the company's regional capabilities as demand for protein-based nutrition products grows in Asia Pacific.

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4. Balchem Corp (US)

Balchem is a specialty ingredient company serving nutrition, health, food, and other markets with ingredient technologies and formulation solutions. Its expertise in nutritional ingredients supports manufacturers developing products with enhanced nutritional functionality.

The company's capabilities align with the growing use of protein ingredients in functional foods, sports nutrition products, and other nutrition-focused applications. As food manufacturers increasingly seek ingredients that combine nutritional benefits with improved product characteristics, Balchem is positioned to participate in the expanding market for protein crispies and inclusions.

Its emphasis on ingredient functionality and application support can help food manufacturers address evolving requirements for protein content, texture, and formulation performance.

5. Actus Nutrition (US)

Actus Nutrition is a key participant in the nutrition ingredient landscape, providing protein and nutritional solutions for food and beverage manufacturers. Its capabilities support the development of high-protein products designed for consumers seeking convenient nutrition and functional benefits.

The company can address demand for protein-based ingredients across applications such as sports nutrition, functional foods, protein bars, and snacks. Increasing consumer interest in protein intake, active lifestyles, and nutrient-dense products is creating additional opportunities for customized protein inclusion formats.

Actus Nutrition's focus on nutrition-focused ingredient solutions positions it to benefit from the continued expansion of the global protein ingredients market.

6. Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited (New Zealand)

Fonterra is a major global dairy nutrition company with extensive expertise in milk-derived proteins and nutritional ingredients. Its portfolio serves sports nutrition, functional foods, clinical nutrition, beverages, and other applications requiring high-quality dairy proteins.

Dairy-based proteins represent a significant segment of the extruded protein crispies and inclusions market, supported by the widespread use of whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and milk protein concentrate in nutrition products.

Fonterra's expertise in dairy proteins and global ingredient supply capabilities gives the company a strong position in applications where manufacturers require high protein content, nutritional quality, and compatibility with diverse food formulations.

7. MGP Ingredients, Inc. (US)

MGP Ingredients is a specialty ingredient manufacturer with expertise in plant-based proteins, starches, and other functional food ingredients. Its protein solutions support food manufacturers developing products with enhanced nutritional value and targeted functional characteristics.

The company's plant-based protein capabilities align with the increasing adoption of alternative proteins in snacks, nutrition products, bakery applications, and other food categories.

As manufacturers continue diversifying protein sources and seeking innovative ingredient formats, MGP Ingredients is positioned to capture opportunities associated with plant-based extruded protein crispies and inclusions.

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8. PURIS (US)

PURIS is a plant-based ingredient company known for its focus on pea protein and clean-label nutrition solutions. Its plant-based protein capabilities align with growing consumer demand for vegan, vegetarian, and alternative protein products.

Protein crispies and inclusions produced from plant-based sources such as pea protein can provide manufacturers with opportunities to increase protein content while creating appealing texture and crunch.

PURIS's focus on plant-based protein innovation positions the company to benefit from the expanding use of alternative proteins across snacks, protein bars, cereals, functional foods, and other nutrition-focused applications.

9. AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (Canada)

AGT Food and Ingredients is a major supplier of plant-based ingredients with expertise in pulses, grains, and specialty food ingredients. Its capabilities in pulse-based ingredients support the increasing use of plant proteins in food and nutrition applications.

The company's ingredient expertise is relevant to the growing demand for protein-rich foods and plant-based formulations. Pulse-derived protein ingredients can be incorporated into products where manufacturers seek improved protein content and nutritional functionality.

As food manufacturers increasingly diversify their protein sources, AGT's capabilities across pulses and plant-based ingredients create opportunities within the evolving extruded protein crispies and inclusions landscape.

10. Richardson International Limited (Canada)

Richardson International is a diversified Canadian agribusiness and food ingredient company with expertise spanning agriculture, processing, grains, oilseeds, and value-added ingredients.

The company's capabilities across agricultural commodities and food ingredients provide opportunities to participate in the growing demand for plant-based and protein-rich food formulations.

As food manufacturers increasingly incorporate protein ingredients into mainstream products, the demand for innovative formats—including extruded crispies and inclusions—is expected to create additional opportunities for companies with strong ingredient-processing and supply capabilities.

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Key Trends Driving the Extruded Protein Crispies and Inclusions Market

Rising Demand for High-Protein Foods

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing protein as part of fitness, weight management, active lifestyles, and general wellness. This is encouraging food manufacturers to incorporate protein-rich ingredients into snacks, meal replacements, cereals, bars, and functional foods.

Protein crispies and inclusions offer an efficient way to increase protein content while simultaneously contributing crunch and texture.

Expansion of Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition remains an important application area for extruded protein crispies and inclusions. Protein bars, protein powders, ready-to-drink products, and recovery nutrition products are increasingly incorporating protein ingredients that deliver both nutritional and sensory benefits.

According to the latest MarketsandMarkets analysis, the sports nutrition segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.0%.

Growth of Functional Foods

Functional foods represent a significant application segment as consumers increasingly seek convenient products offering nutritional and health-related benefits.

Protein crispies and inclusions are used in meal replacements, weight-management products, high-protein snacks, and clinical nutrition foods. Their ability to improve protein content while maintaining texture and eating quality supports their adoption in these applications.

Increasing Adoption of Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins derived from soy, pea, rice, and wheat are becoming increasingly important as manufacturers respond to demand for alternative protein sources.

The development of different protein formats and customized extrusion technologies is enabling food manufacturers to incorporate plant-based proteins into a broader range of mainstream products.

Advancements in Extrusion Technology

Technological advancements are enabling manufacturers to develop protein crispies and inclusions with customized protein concentration, expansion, texture, shape, size, and sensory characteristics.

These capabilities give food manufacturers greater flexibility in designing products for specific applications and consumer preferences.

Conclusion: Protein Innovation Is Reshaping Food Formulation

The global extruded protein crispies and inclusions market is evolving rapidly as manufacturers respond to rising demand for high-protein, functional, convenient, and texture-focused food products.

Companies such as PGP International, ADM, Glanbia, Balchem, Actus Nutrition, Fonterra, MGP Ingredients, PURIS, AGT Food and Ingredients, and Richardson International are contributing to market development through protein ingredient innovation, extrusion capabilities, formulation expertise, and expansion across high-growth food applications.

With the market projected to reach USD 0.46 billion by 2031, opportunities are emerging across sports nutrition, functional foods, breakfast cereals, snacks, bakery, confectionery, meal replacements, and other protein-enriched applications.

For comprehensive competitive benchmarking, market segmentation, protein-source analysis, application insights, regional analysis, emerging trends, growth opportunities, and strategic intelligence, explore the Extruded Protein Crispies and Inclusions Market by Protein Source Type (Plant-Based, Dairy-Based, and Animal-Based), Protein Content, Application (Sports Nutrition, Functional Foods, Breakfast Cereals, and Others), and Region – Global Forecast to 2031 report from MarketsandMarkets. The report provides detailed insights for ingredient manufacturers, food companies, investors, and other stakeholders seeking to identify growth opportunities in the evolving protein ingredients industry.