Key Highlights
- Danone introduces Silk Protein, a high-protein plant-based milk aimed at reviving interest in the declining plant-based dairy category.
- Silk Protein contains 13 grams of complete plant protein, 50% more protein and half the sugar of traditional dairy milk.
- Danone targets rising consumer demand for protein-rich, functional beverages as the plant-based milk market faces stagnation.
Danone is introducing a new high-protein version of its Silk brand as the company attempts to “reignite interest” in the plant-based dairy sector. With protein now one of the most in-demand functional ingredients in the U.S., Danone sees a major opportunity to bring innovation to a category that has experienced declining sales and limited product development.
Bridging the Gap in the Plant-Based Protein Market
Despite rising consumer interest in protein-rich foods and beverages, innovation in the plant-based dairy aisle has lagged.
Silk Protein Offers Higher Protein and Lower Sugar
According to Danone, fewer than 1% of protein-focused innovations in the U.S. are in the plant-based drinks category.
Danone believes Silk Protein directly targets that market gap by offering a “complete protein” formulation with all nine essential amino acids. The new beverage features:
- 13 grams of complete plant protein (highest among refrigerated plant-based milks)
- 50% more protein per serving than standard dairy milk
- Half the sugar of conventional dairy milk
- 3 grams of fiber and no artificial sweeteners
This formulation targets consumers seeking nutritious, functional beverages that support fitness, satiety, and overall wellness.
Rising Demand for Protein-Packed Alternatives
Wendy Nunnelley, President of Plant-Based at Danone North America, said that 75% of U.S. consumers are increasing protein intake, while nearly two-thirds already consume plant-based dairy weekly. This overlap presents a strong market opportunity for Silk Protein.
“We really see a gap for a high-protein plant-based offering that consumers are demanding,” she said.
Revitalizing a Struggling Plant-Based Dairy Market
U.S. retail sales of plant-based milk hit $2.5 billion in 2024. Still, the category has been shrinking, recording a 5% year-over-year decline and three consecutive years of falling unit sales, according to Circana.
Danone acknowledged that plant-based dairy “remains a work in progress,” even though household penetration has grown 16% since 2020.
The company believes Silk Protein can inject momentum into the category by offering a differentiated, protein-forward value proposition.
Strengthening Danone’s Protein Strategy
Silk Protein will launch regionally this month, with a nationwide rollout planned for early 2026. The launch builds on Danone’s broader protein-focused innovation pipeline that includes Oikos high-protein yogurt drinks, shakes, and products designed for the growing GLP-1 user base.
A Danone executive recently stated that the company is even struggling to keep up with demand for high-protein yogurts due to limited U.S. manufacturing capacity, a sign of the booming protein trend.