Collagen developments for 2026 – abstract
- Collagen demand surges as customers search wellness advantages and practical indulgence
- Market progress accelerates towards a projected worth exceeding twenty‑six billion {dollars}
- Magnificence‑from‑inside and wholesome ageing developments considerably increase collagen product adoption
- Versatile collagen codecs develop throughout gummies bars drinks and on a regular basis meals
- Ingredient suppliers drive innovation enabling cleaner labels and broader formulation choices
Collagen has emerged as some of the fashionable substances in meals and beverage in 2025, as customers clamour to purchase into the numerous potential advantages it provides.
“Demand for collagen is rising shortly,” says Pierre-Albert Thomas, international director for practical substances at provider Rousselot. “It’s positively not exhibiting any indicators of slowing down.”
And it’s this large and rising demand that’s powered the market to over $10bn (€8.5bn), with its 11% CAGR taking it to nicely over $26bn by 2033 (Grand View Analysis).
“Collagen has gained consideration as a protein that helps pores and skin elasticity, joint well being, and total wellness,” says a spokesperson for Grand View Analysis.
However its success goes past easy well being and wellness.
What’s collagen?
Collagen is essentially the most considerable type of protein within the human physique. It’s present in pores and skin, muscle groups, bones, tendons, ligaments, and different connective tissues. It’s additionally present in organs, blood vessels and the intestinal lining.
Making up roughly 30% of the entire protein within the physique, it’s described as one of many constructing blocks of life.
Tendencies powering the collagen increase
Well being and wellness developments
Okay, so we stated it’s not all about well being and wellness, however that may be a main a part of it, and the obvious place to start out.
Customers right now aren’t simply on the lookout for merchandise that fill them up and style good, additionally they need them to do good. That’s why collagen has develop into such a hero ingredient. It slips neatly into the rising want for wholesome ageing, lively‑life-style assist, and sweetness‑from‑inside, making all the pieces from gummies to excessive‑protein bars really feel simply that bit extra purposeful.
Collagen’s status for supporting mobility and boosting power makes it a pure match, particularly with ingredient specialists like Wellnex, whose collagen peptides are designed particularly for practical meals and even confectionery codecs by way of their devoted innovation lab and confection room.
On the wonder aspect, collagen’s hyperlinks to smoother pores and skin, improved elasticity, and stronger hair and nails make it an ideal match. Suppliers like Healan Components play an enormous position right here, providing collagen peptides and gelatine techniques extensively utilized in gummies and comfortable confectionery.
And for the sports activities‑vitamin crowd, and older adults wanting practical snacks moderately than dietary supplements, collagen’s advantages for joints, bones, and muscle well being are a serious draw. This has inspired the rise of collagen‑infused bars, chews, and on a regular basis treats. Suppliers resembling Nutra Meals Components, who supply collagen, gelatin, and bone broth proteins, assist manufacturers mix vitamin with indulgence, excellent for confectionery makers seeking to improve conventional codecs.
In the meantime, massive‑scale producers like Richtek or Wellnature Biotech provide customisable low‑molecular collagen appropriate for all the pieces from protein bars to practical gummies, giving producers loads of flexibility in formulation.
Clear, practical, excessive‑worth protein
Within the meals, beverage and confectionery worlds, collagen has carved out a status as a clear, excessive‑worth protein that reinforces a product’s attraction with out the luggage typically related to extra processed or unfamiliar protein sources.
Producers adore it as a result of it strengthens that each one‑necessary higher‑for‑you positioning, and customers adore it as a result of it’s a recognisable and pure ingredient.
Ingredient suppliers throughout the trade are serving to manufacturers deliver this clear‑protein story to life. Rousselot, lengthy recognised as a world chief in collagen and gelatin options, continues to innovate in well being‑centered and efficiency‑centered substances. Prinova, a serious participant in practical proteins, provides premium collagen peptides designed for straightforward use in powders, bars, and confectionery codecs. And DSM‑Firmenich contributes by way of its intensive collagen portfolio, offering excessive‑high quality, traceable collagen substances, excellent for manufacturers needing robust technical credentials and clear‑label assist.
Versatility in product improvement
One in every of collagen’s greatest strengths, particularly for meals, beverage and confectionery builders, is simply how versatile it’s as an ingredient.
Its impartial style, straightforward solubility, and compatibility with excessive‑protein claims make it excellent for NPD groups aiming to construct practical merchandise with out compromising on flavour or format.
Collagen is quickly popping up in dairy, cereals, sports activities vitamin, drinks, and snacks, reflecting how extensively manufacturers can combine it into on a regular basis consuming events. And since customers love handy, on‑the‑go codecs, collagen is right for ready-to-drink codecs resembling Primal Kitchen’s Collagen Gasoline, snack bars resembling Bulletproof’s Collagen Protein Bars, and gummies resembling Historical Diet’s Multi‑Collagen Protein Gummies.
Collagen: What’s subsequent
As collagen continues its rise, the chance for meals, beverage and confectionery manufacturers is simply going to get larger. What started as a distinct segment wellness ingredient has matured right into a mainstream worth‑driver, one which intersects clear label, magnificence from inside, lively life-style vitamin, and practical indulgence. And all indicators level to even stronger momentum heading into 2026.
For producers, the subsequent wave of innovation is prone to centre on format diversification and premiumisation. Gummies and bars might dominate right now, however collagen‑infused baked items, practical goodies, hydration drinks, dairy options, and even on a regular basis cabinet staples are all rising as credible progress territories.
There’s additionally rising scope for hybrid formulations – pairing collagen with nutritional vitamins, adaptogens, probiotics, prebiotic fibres, botanicals, and different trending practical substances. These combos open the door to extremely focused advantages, from pores and skin‑well being blends to mobility‑centered snacks and power‑supporting confectionery.
For ingredient suppliers, this rising sophistication represents a helpful alternative to develop portfolios, create customised blends, and deepen partnerships with manufacturers hungry for differentiation.
Crucially, collagen aligns completely with the broader shift towards wholesome ageing, longevity vitamin, and holistic self‑care, themes which can be anticipated to outline shopper behaviour in 2026.
As extra buyers look to assist mobility, pores and skin well being, and every day vitality, with out turning to medicines, foods and drinks codecs develop into the apparent resolution.
The manufacturers that succeed will likely be people who seamlessly combine collagen into merchandise individuals genuinely get pleasure from, with out compromising on style or texture.
Collagen’s story is simply simply starting.
