At the latest 52nd Dairy Industry Conference & Exhibition (DIC) 2026, Tetra Pak made a decisive statement—protein is no longer a niche in India’s dairy landscape; it is the mainstream. In an exclusive interaction, Saurabh Sinha, Marketing Director, Tetra Pak, shared how the company has aligned its entire showcase around protein and value-added dairy solutions, reflecting the evolving demands of Indian consumers.
A bold, focused approach at DIC
Highlighting the company’s objective behind participating in DIC, Sinha emphasized the importance of the platform. “DIC is the biggest coming together of the entire dairy industry, and Tetra Pak has been a consistent exhibitor here. What is different this year is that we have taken a bold stance by focusing on one segment—the entire protein and value addition in dairy—as the showcase of the event. Everything you see around is centered on protein.”
From packaging innovations to advanced processing technologies, the booth presented an integrated protein-centric ecosystem. This included filtration units, high-shear mixers, and the company’s co-creation platform, NutriVerse.
“We wanted to explore how we can collaborate and fast-track the scale-up of protein in India. Earlier, protein used to be a niche segment; now we no longer consider it niche. It is mainstream.”
Sinha noted that the response from industry stakeholders has been encouraging, with diverse players collaborating and sharing insights on scaling value-added dairy products.
Responding to evolving consumer demands
As consumers increasingly expect longer shelf life, cleaner labels, high quality, and functional benefits, dairy brands must adapt swiftly. Sinha summarized the shift clearly, “Consumers demand more from milk. Milk is evolving. As the Indian consumer market progresses, people are demanding more value from milk.”
According to him, two trends stand out prominently—protein enrichment and lactose-free dairy.
“We are focusing strongly on protein and lactose-free categories and working with brand owners across the value chain to ensure successful product launches and scale-up. As protein becomes more mainstream, it is not only about launching a product but also about scaling up, introducing variants, and driving overall consumer adoption.”
The changing face of Indian dairy
Discussing the broader market outlook, Sinha observed that while overall dairy consumption in India continues to grow at single-digit rates, consumer expectations are shifting dramatically. “The newer generation looks at dairy differently compared to previous generations. There is a segment emerging that focuses more on the functional aspects of dairy.”
He cited examples such as buttermilk being associated with gut health, protein beverages becoming strong on-the-go options, and rising awareness around lactose intolerance.
“Consumers now demand functionality, diverse flavors, improved texture, low calorie, low sugar, high protein, and lactose-free options. We cannot move in only one direction; we must respond to multiple dimensions of consumer demand.”
NutriVerse: A co-creation ecosystem for value-added dairy
At the heart of Tetra Pak’s protein-focused strategy is NutriVerse, a comprehensive co-creation platform designed to accelerate innovation. “NutriVerse is a co-creation ecosystem. We start with market insights, psychographic and demographic mapping, and global trends in protein and value-added dairy.”
The process integrates global inspirations with brand strategies, helping identify product opportunity platforms, ingredient requirements, and flavor partnerships. Product briefs are then developed and executed at Tetra Pak’s Product Development Centers (PDCs). “It is about co-creating the right product for the market and doing it faster,” he said.
From concept to commercialization
At the DIC booth, Tetra Pak demonstrated solutions across both liquid and powder routes for protein fortification:
Filtration units to scale up protein content in milk, enabling production of WPC, MPC powders, or high-protein white milk.
High-shear mixers for powder-based formulations, ensuring smooth texture without chalkiness or foaming.
Sinha highlighted strong interest from private-sector brands exploring flexible processing options. “We offer both possibilities—filtration for liquid routes or high-shear mixing for powder routes. Beyond commercialization, we also discuss the next wave of innovation—protein, lactose-free, and future product launches.”
Packaging as a strategic differentiator
Protein beverages, often consumed on the go, require packaging that enhances both functionality and premium appeal. This year’s highlight was the Tetra Prisma 300 Edge Aseptic.
“Our hero package this year is the Tetra Prisma 300 Edge Aseptic, offering a tall, premium look and a wide-mouth drinking experience. The Tetra Prisma portfolio has performed well globally, especially in protein beverages, and we are now accelerating its presence in India.”
Sinha stressed that success in value-added dairy depends on seamless integration: “It is a combination of product, processing, packaging, and services—all working together.”
End-to-End customer support
For brands looking to expand into value-added dairy, Tetra Pak offers comprehensive support—from ideation to commercialization. “If they already have a product idea, we move directly into product development at our PDC. If they are still exploring, we conduct workshops—from market insights to opportunity platforms to product briefs.”
The company also supports:
Processing flexibility to adapt existing setups
Multiple packaging formats (200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml) on a single machine
Market testing through a co-packing network
“At every stage, we collaborate closely.”
From innovation to commercialization
Concluding with a message to industry stakeholders, Sinha underscored the urgency of collective action. “The Indian consumer is already ahead in terms of expectations from dairy. Protein and lactose-free are no longer niche—they are mainstream.”
He added, “As an industry, we must come together—not just for innovation development but also innovation commercialization. The demand already exists. Now we need to respond in a faster and more effective manner to deliver the best product and packaging experience to consumers.”
With protein-led innovation at the forefront, Tetra Pak’s presence at DIC signals a decisive shift in how the dairy industry approaches value addition—holistic, collaborative, and market-ready.
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