Danone debuts Silk Protein as rising demand reshapes the plant-based dairy aisle

Danone has introduced a new high-protein range under its Silk brand, marking a strategic push to revitalise interest in plant-based dairy at a time when the category has struggled to maintain momentum in the US market. The company said Silk Protein was created in response to a widening gap between consumer demand for protein and the limited options available in the plant-based drinks segment.

While protein has become one of the most popular nutritional attributes among American shoppers, Danone noted that only a small fraction of recent product innovation in the US has focused on protein-rich plant-based beverages. The business cited Mintel data showing that fewer than 1% of new protein-centred launches have come from this part of the dairy alternatives sector.

Silk Protein has been formulated to provide 50% more protein per serving than conventional dairy milk, with Danone highlighting 13g of complete plant protein, 3g of fibre, and reduced sugar content. The drink contains no artificial sweeteners and will debut in original and chocolate varieties.

Wendy Nunnelley, President of Plant-Based for Danone North America, said a growing share of consumers were actively looking to increase their protein intake. At the same time, plant-based dairy alternatives continued to be a weekly purchase for a large portion of households. The intersection of these two trends, she said, created a clear opening for a product such as Silk Protein.

“We really see a gap in the marketplace for a good plant-based, higher protein offering that just hasn’t been there, and that consumers are demanding,” she said. “We’re seeing consumers move into protein in such a strong way.”

The new launch comes during a challenging period for plant-based milk in the USA. Retail data from Circana showed sales of the category reached US$2.5 billion in 2024, a 5% decline compared with the previous year and the same total recorded in 2021. Unit sales have slipped for three consecutive years. While higher shelf prices have softened the impact of those declines in value terms, the underlying pressure on volumes has persisted.

Danone acknowledged during its third-quarter results that the company’s plant-based business in North America remained “a work in progress”. A spokesperson said economic uncertainty and other headwinds had intensified the difficulties facing the wider plant-based category, even as more households have begun incorporating dairy alternatives into their routines. According to the company, household penetration for dairy alternatives in the USA has risen from 40% in 2020 to 56% today.

“Being able to directly offer what consumers are looking for is important at any time, and particularly when the macroeconomic environment might be more challenging,” Nunnelley said.

Silk Protein will begin rolling out regionally this month (November), with a nationwide US launch scheduled for early 2026.

The product is part of Danone’s broader attempt to build a stronger presence in the fast-growing high-protein segment. Earlier this year, the company introduced a protein-focused Oikos yogurt drink aimed partly at consumers using GLP-1 medications, alongside a new range of high-protein shakes. Danone executives have told analysts that demand for the company’s protein-rich dairy portfolio has been strong enough to stretch existing manufacturing capacity in the USA.