Corn grains typically contain 7% to 11% protein and commercially available corn protein, known as zein are the only corn protein that continues to be produced commercially. Corn protein mainly comprise of zeins which mainly consist of the prolamin fraction of corn and has a protein content of greater than 90%. Additionally, corn protein is an important source of bioactive peptides. Zeins are commercially available from corn gluten meal, which is a byproduct of wet corn milling processing in a large-scale bio-energy refinery.

Market Dynamics

The rising demand for natural and plant-based products, continuous research and development in the corn protein market is driving the market growth. The beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries will witness notable demand in the corn protein market. The increasing demand for corn protein in the medical industry, as it is not prone to viruses and danger unlike animal protein is the factor bolstering the market growth. The rising trend of vegan consumers coupled with the moving preference towards plant-based products is bolstering the market growth. The recognition of zein protein as a coating agent to provides coating against microbes and also as a food agent is further bolstering the corn protein market across the globe. The rising product awareness and abundance of raw materials for corn protein are driving the market growth.

On the other side, unawareness about the product in some underdeveloped regions is likely to hinder the growth to an extent over the forecast period from 2020 to 2027.

Segment Instance

The global corn-based protein market is segmented on the basis of extract type, source type, end-use, and geography. Based on the extract type, the market is divided into isolate and concentrate. By source type, market segments include organic and conventional. Additionally, the end-use of corn-based protein is seen in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food & beverages, coating agents, adhesion, animal feed, nutrition, and health supplements. By geography, the market is divided across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Additionally, the above mentioned prominent regions are further segregated into prominent respective countries.

According to the Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI), sales for corn in Minnesota (US) surpassed $5 billion and yields topped 190 bushels/acre in 2016. The average price in Minnesota per bushel of corn was $3.30, 10cents lower than the U.S. average. Common applications of corn proteins are their use as corn gluten feed or corn germ meal for animals.

Cargill is researching corn protein for a while because it has an appealing amino acid profile and is not a major allergen. The company will have commercial quantities of Non-GMO corn protein available by 2022 across the major economies first.

Asia Pacific is projected to exhibit fastest growth throughout the forecast period

The rapidly increasing population, as well as the rapid development of the food and beverage industry, is supporting the production and demand of corn-based protein in the market. The rising focus of the young population towards protein alternatives, especially plant-based is another factor supporting the regional market value. The major developing economies of the region are the prominent contributors to the regional market value. The rising awareness about the protein supplements among the fitness population base is further bolstering the regional market value.

Key Market Players

The players profiled in the report include A.D.M. Engineering, Agridient Inc. (US), AGT Food Ingredients (Canada), CargillIngredion Incorporated (US), DowDuPont (US), Ingredion Inc. (US), Meihua Holdings Group Co. Ltd. (China), Paramesu Biotech Pvt. Ltd. (India), Pawar Agro Industries (India), Sodrugestvo Group S.a. (Luxemburg), Tate & Lyle plc. (UK), Zhucheng Dongxiao Biotechnology Co. Ltd.(China), and Zhucheng Xingmao Corn Developing Co. Ltd. (China). The major market players were involved in mergers and acquisitions, partnerships & collaborations, and new source development for the expansion of market share (%).

Market Segmentation

Market By Extract Type

Isolate

Concentrate

Market By Source Type

Organic

Conventional

Market By End-use

Pharmaceuticals

Cosmetics

Food & Beverages

Coating agents

Adhesion

Animal Feed

Nutrition and Health Supplements

Market By Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• UK
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa