The consumer industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by guided health, wellbeing, and personalized nutrition, and growing importance of technologies such as plant-based alternative proteins, 3D food printing, and digital food management. In the last three years alone, there have been over 52,000 patents filed and granted in the consumer industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Environmental sustainability in consumer: probiotic culture formulations. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 12,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the consumer industry, there are 30+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Probiotic culture formulations is a key innovation area in environmental sustainability
Probiotic culture formulations refer to the combination of live microorganisms, typically bacteria, that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. These formulations can be used in various applications, including food production, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 495+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established consumer companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of probiotic culture formulations.
Key players in probiotic culture formulations – a disruptive innovation in the consumer industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to probiotic culture formulations
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
4D Pharma is one of the leading patent filers in probiotic culture formulations. Some other key patent filers in the space include Chr. Hansen, CJ, and Novo Nordisk Foundation. Chr. Hansen introduced the VEGA Culture Kit, designed exclusively for fermented plant-based products. The kit mexallows creators in the plant-based industry to craft unique and distinct attributes for their offerings, encompassing aspects such as flavor, consistency, well-being, and eco-friendliness.
In terms of application diversity, Procter & Gamble leads the pack, with NVP Healthcare and Nestle in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, KoBioLabs holds the top position, followed by Beijing BGI-GBI Biotech and Kerry Group.
Probiotic-rich products are expected to remain in demand if the current trends of consumers seeking healthier food options continue. Probiotics are often associated with digestive health, immune support, and other potential benefits, which could drive their adoption. To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the consumer industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Consumer Goods.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
