HIFOOD, a company specializing in the research, development, and production of natural ingredients and part of the CSM Group alongside CSM Ingredients, has developed a new range of micronized proteins – Micro Protein – to enable companies in the food sector to meet the growing demand for high-protein products.
Developed using innovative proprietary technologies, Micro Protein is a clean label and allergen-free solution based on pea proteins with a very fine granulometry, neutral taste, and minimal impact on the structure and flavor of the finished product. Therefore, Micro Protein finds diverse applications ranging from baked goods 
to meat analogues, sauces, soups, desserts, dairy products, beverages, and more. It is a versatile and easily implementable solution for companies entering the protein market, which – according to recent research – is expected to grow up to USD 23.34 billion by 2032.
“At HIFOOD, we are committed to supporting our customers and partners in responding to market trends by offering ingredients that are easily adaptable to various production needs. Micro Protein is a perfect example of this. It is an ideal solution for companies looking to boost the protein content of their products without altering their flavors and textures, and importantly, without requiring significant adjustments to recipes and production processes. Being a powdered ingredient, it can be used much like flour,” explained Emanuele Pizzigalli, Chief Research and Innovation Officer and co-founder of HIFOOD. “Moreover, thanks to the clean technology used, our micro proteins are additive-free, as we exclusively employ proprietary physical and mechanical processes – a significant advantage for both producers and consumers.”
Through the use of Micro Protein, companies can label their finished products as “high in protein” or “source of protein,” given that HIFOOD’s micro proteins boast a 70% protein composition.
One of the most intriguing applications of Micro Protein is in Plant-Based Beverages, which has already seen initial success through the partnership between HIFOOD and Alianza Team. Together, they previously won the “Plant-based Innovation Award” at Food Ingredients Europe 2023 and will be presenting further collaborative solutions at the IFT Expo in Chicago from July 14 to 17, including a plant-based beverage fortified with Micro Protein.
Micro Protein is part of CSM Group’s broader portfolio for protein enrichment, which includes various solutions such as CSM Ingredients’ universal mixes for protein-enriched breads, bagels, and crackers, ready-to-use mixes or customized recipes for preparing protein-rich croissants and sweet products, to HIFOOD’s extensive range of Proteios Textured Vegetable Proteins (TVPs). This diverse offering is designed to meet consumer demands, whether from athletes or those simply interested in increasing their protein intake, and is expected to grow further.
