Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is a global leader in nutrition and agricultural processing. With an extensive portfolio of plant proteins—including soy, pea, wheat, and emerging sources like algae and chickpea—the company is dedicated to driving advancements in taste, texture, and nutritional quality to meet shifting consumer demands.
In this interview, we speak with Alicia Humpert, Director, Protein Marketing, EMEA, ADM, whose extensive experience in consumer and product strategy has positioned her as a leader in the evolving protein landscape. ith over a decade in brand management and product development, she brings a deep understanding of global markets, consumer behavior, and innovation in alternative proteins.
We discuss key trends from 2024, including the rise of blended and hybrid protein solutions, which are gaining traction among flexitarian consumers. Alicia also shares ADM’s plans for 2025.
What were the plant-based highlights for 2024?
2024 put a spotlight on blended proteins and hybrid solutions as pivotal innovations in the alternative protein space, providing a bridge between traditional meat products and fully plant-based alternatives, with the goal of meeting consumer demands for protein diversity, nutrition and satisfying taste and texture.
The focus on taste, texture and the overall sensory experience remained a driving force throughout 2024, fuelling innovation with hybrid or blended products with gold-standard sensory attributes. In a recent survey, consumers consistently conveyed their desire to incorporate more protein in their diets.1 Our research also finds that 43% of plant-forward consumers (defined as flexitarians, vegetarians or vegans) believe it’s healthier to get protein from a wide variety of sources2, which indicates further opportunity for blended protein innovations.
More consumers understand protein consumption is not an all-or-nothing approach, but, rather, many protein sources – including animal-based, plant-based and wholesome ingredients – can meet their needs. Their openness to try new protein sources made space for hybrid and blended protein formats to emerge on the market.
This did not surprise given our research, which indicates 63% of consumers across five markets (US, UK, France, Germany and Australia) find the concept of hybrid meat options appealing.3 Consumer interest in trying blends remains multi-faceted, with key motivators being: “healthier,” “better for the environment,” “adding variety to diets,” “better dietary balance of plant and animal proteins,” and “more nutritious.”4
Whether it’s a combination of different plant-based ingredients or a blend with animal-based proteins, the possibilities with hybrid protein applications are vast and serve as an introduction to plant-based protein consumption. By pulling from different sources, blends tap into the best characteristics of each ingredient for ideal sensory and high-quality nutritional experiences while delivering on protein diversity and addressing cost concerns. Blends particularly appeal to flexitarians, who seek balance with more familiar protein options.
Which innovations met with particular interest at FiE 2024?
At Food Ingredients Europe, ADM displayed a range of innovations, including versatile protein solutions to meet growing consumer demand for diverse, high-quality protein sources. With a long legacy in consumer-preferred protein solution development, we presented on-trend concepts in the alternative dairy and savoury categories, as well as within the surging blended protein sector.
For example, our “Mediterranean Cordon Bleu” concept emphasizes the benefits of blended protein. This craveable concept features our soy protein in both the chicken dough for the base and the pork-based mortadella for the filling, delivering on texture, taste and juiciness, along with cost optimization.
Additionally, our fully plant-based concepts include the “Plant-Based Pulled Pork,” which uses our Soprotex® N-Slices, a soy protein textured flour that absorbs natural pork-type flavors for a delicious experience even without the addition of sauce. Another standout was our “Plant-Based Salmon Fillet” concept, which includes our AccelFlex™ plant-based protein system to deliver a premium texture and flavor profile.
Each of these concepts underscores the importance of a protein-rich diet, which is top-of-mind for consumers embarking on weight management journeys with anti-obesity medications (AOMs).
Moreover, our “Plant-Based Mango Drink” concept features pea protein and Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (ES1*) postbiotic**, which research shows may support gut and digestive health.5 Combining high protein content for maintaining lean muscle mass with biotics for gut health support highlights new avenues for protein-forward offerings to support evolving consumer needs and goals.
We also demonstrated our commitment to plant-based product innovation, detailing the ongoing investment in our local capabilities and facilities in Serbia and Germany. The SojaProtein facility in Serbia processes locally sourced, non-GMO soy grown within 100 kilometres of the plant, while the Mainz facility in Germany has expanded to process non-GMO soybeans, advancing local and global protein innovation. Through our unmatched product performance and pioneering advancements, ADM continues to propel protein possibilities across categories.
What innovations are coming up in 2025?
As we move further into 2025, we’re investing to refine the taste of our plant proteins and develop more blended protein solutions for optimized sensory appeal, protein quality, content and diversity. Through our ever-expanding library of plant-based ingredients and systems, we help manufacturers develop blended protein applications to support consumer trials without asking consumers to radically change their diets and lifestyles.
Cost and affordability, in particular, remain significant concerns for manufacturers and consumers, impacting product development and purchasing decisions. New developments with different protein sources and blends can help deliver on performance and value. With our protein innovation expertise spanning decades (across both plant-based and animal-based), we bring together our quality soy, pea and wheat proteins and wholesome ingredients with animal-based proteins to tap into the synergistic advantages of blends to improve on cost, along with taste, texture and nutritional value, in alternative protein products.
How will the plant-based segment develop in 2025? In which regions do you expect significant growth?
In 2025 and beyond, we anticipate continued refinement and purposeful use of blended proteins and hybrids and the exploration of new textures, flavors and formats – specifically in plant-based plus animal-based blends with both familiar sources like soy and pea and emerging ones like chickpea, quinoa and algae. Novel technologies like precision fermentation and cell cultivation are also on the horizon and blends with more recognisable protein sources will be key for consumer acceptance and adoption. As the industry evolves and consumer interest continues, these offerings become more appealing, accessible and integral to consumers’ everyday lifestyles.
Around the globe, we see pockets of growth for plant-based products, and innovation dialled into consumer expectations – whether for plant-based or a blend of plant and animal – will succeed. By using a diverse set of quality plant-based proteins and ingredients, alternative meat and dairy will be able to check the boxes on taste, texture, nutrition, accessibility and cost across regions.
*Bifidobacterium longum CECT7347 (ES1) is used by ADM Biopolis under an exclusive license from CSIC.
**Please note that in the EU, the terms ‘postbiotic’ and ‘prebiotic’ are not permitted for use in finished products intended for final consumers, and the term ‘probiotic’ is only allowed in certain countries. Therefore, alternative wording should be used in the finished product artwork. It is the responsibility of the finished product manufacturer to ensure that all statements on the artwork comply with current regulations.
1International Food Information Council, 2024 Food & Health Survey
2ADM Outside Voice℠, Global Protein Consumer Discovery Report, January 2023
3ADM Outside Voice℠, Global Lifestyles Research, 2023
4ADM Outside Voice℠, The Future of Blends, Global Consumer Insights Report, March 2024
5Srivastava, S., et al. (2024) Gut Microbes. 16(1):2338322
