Collagen traits for 2026 – abstract
- Collagen demand surges as customers search wellness advantages and purposeful indulgence
- Market development accelerates towards a projected worth exceeding twenty‑six billion {dollars}
- Magnificence‑from‑inside and wholesome ageing traits considerably increase collagen product adoption
- Versatile collagen codecs increase 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 one of the crucial well-liked substances in meals and beverage in 2025, as customers clamour to purchase into the various potential advantages it provides.
“Demand for collagen is rising rapidly,” says Pierre-Albert Thomas, world director for purposeful substances at provider Rousselot. “It’s undoubtedly not displaying any indicators of slowing down.”
And it’s this big and rising demand that’s powered the market to over $10bn (€8.5bn), with its 11% CAGR taking it to properly 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 probably the most considerable type of protein within the human physique. It’s present in pores and skin, muscle tissues, 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 overall protein within the physique, it’s described as one of many constructing blocks of life.
Developments powering the collagen increase
Well being and wellness traits
Okay, so we stated it’s not all about well being and wellness, however that could be a main a part of it, and the obvious place to start out.
Shoppers at this time aren’t simply searching for merchandise that fill them up and style good, additionally they need them to do good. That’s why collagen has turn out to be such a hero ingredient. It slips neatly into the rising want for wholesome ageing, energetic‑way of life help, and wonder‑from‑inside, making all the things from gummies to excessive‑protein bars really feel simply that bit extra purposeful.
Collagen’s fame for supporting mobility and boosting vitality makes it a pure match, particularly with ingredient specialists like Wellnex, whose collagen peptides are designed particularly for purposeful meals and even confectionery codecs by way of their devoted innovation lab and confection room.
On the wonder facet, collagen’s hyperlinks to smoother pores and skin, improved elasticity, and stronger hair and nails make it an ideal match. Suppliers like Healan Elements play a giant position right here, providing collagen peptides and gelatine techniques extensively utilized in gummies and gentle confectionery.
And for the sports activities‑vitamin crowd, and older adults wanting purposeful 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 akin to Nutra Meals Elements, who provide collagen, gelatin, and bone broth proteins, assist manufacturers mix vitamin with indulgence, preferrred for confectionery makers trying to improve conventional codecs.
In the meantime, giant‑scale producers like Richtek or Wellnature Biotech provide customisable low‑molecular collagen appropriate for all the things from protein bars to purposeful gummies, giving producers loads of flexibility in formulation.
Clear, purposeful, excessive‑worth protein
Within the meals, beverage and confectionery worlds, collagen has carved out a fame as a clear, excessive‑worth protein that enhances 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 every 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 business 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 purposeful 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, preferrred for manufacturers needing robust technical credentials and clear‑label help.
Versatility in product growth
Considered one 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 preferrred for NPD groups aiming to construct purposeful 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 good for ready-to-drink codecs akin to Primal Kitchen’s Collagen Gas, snack bars akin to Bulletproof’s Collagen Protein Bars, and gummies akin to Historic Diet’s Multi‑Collagen Protein Gummies.
Collagen: What’s subsequent
As collagen continues its rise, the chance for meals, beverage and confectionery manufacturers is just 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, energetic way of life vitamin, and purposeful indulgence. And all indicators level to even stronger momentum heading into 2026.
For producers, the following wave of innovation is prone to centre on format diversification and premiumisation. Gummies and bars might dominate at this time, however collagen‑infused baked items, purposeful goodies, hydration drinks, dairy alternate options, and even on a regular basis cabinet staples are all rising as credible development territories.
There’s additionally rising scope for hybrid formulations – pairing collagen with nutritional vitamins, adaptogens, probiotics, prebiotic fibres, botanicals, and different trending purposeful substances. These combos open the door to extremely focused advantages, from pores and skin‑well being blends to mobility‑centered snacks and vitality‑supporting confectionery.
For ingredient suppliers, this rising sophistication represents a invaluable alternative to increase 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 are anticipated to outline client behaviour in 2026.
As extra customers look to help mobility, pores and skin well being, and day by day vitality, with out turning to drugs, food and drinks codecs turn out to be the apparent answer.
The manufacturers that succeed will probably be those who seamlessly combine collagen into merchandise individuals genuinely take pleasure in, with out compromising on style or texture.
Collagen’s story is just simply starting.
