NXW and Prolacto launch hybrid protein blends for Iberian Peninsula
Nutrition From Water and Prolacto partner to create hybrid dairy blends using microalgae-derived proteins, targeting the Iberian market amid record-high whey prices and strong consumer interest in blended protein formats.
Nutrition From Water (NXW) and Prolacto have launched a collaboration to create hybrid protein blends using microalgae-based whey and Prolacto's blending expertise. The partnership targets the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Gibraltar, and parts of France, aiming to provide cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to conventional dairy proteins.
Founded in 2020 by Alex Worker, Harnish Howard, and Toby Lane, NXW produces ingredients from single-celled aquatic organisms. Prolacto, established in 1968 and based in a region producing 30% of Portugal's milk, supplies ingredients globally for infant nutrition, chocolate, bakery, ice cream, beverage mixes, and functional solutions. Their collaboration combines NXW's microalgae proteins and fibres with Prolacto's blending capabilities to develop hybrid dairy blends. These formulations can replace some dairy content with plant proteins, reducing environmental impact and allowing for nutritional improvements like less saturated fat and more fibre.
Product portfolio
NXW offers a range of marine whey formulations produced through heterotrophic fermentation of microalgae strains. These ingredients cost one-third as much as conventional whey and offer better functionality than caseinate. The portfolio includes several distinct products for diverse applications.
| Product Name | Protein Content | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|
| MW50 | 50% | Replaces sodium caseinate |
| MW70 Plus | 70% | Protein fortification |
| MWG | 35% | Fibre-rich option for baking |
| Marine Fiber 95 | Beta-glucan fibre | Supports immune, heart, metabolic, and gut health |
| MWB | 60% | Customised blend (no longer visible on website) |
NXW's MW70 Plus is ideal for protein enrichment, while MWG is best suited for baking. Marine Fiber 95 is a beta-glucan noted for supporting immune, heart, metabolic, and gut health. The company also invested in microalgae startup PhycoFerm earlier this year.
Market context
Hybrid protein formats are gaining strong consumer traction while conventional whey prices have surged dramatically. Whey protein concentrate prices rose 108% over the last two years, and whey protein isolate prices nearly doubled. Whey prices reached record levels in 2025 and continued increasing afterwards.
Consumer interest in these blended formats is high. Seventy-five percent of millennials have expressed interest in hybrid protein formats, compared with 72% of Generation Z and 66% of Generation X. This demand aligns with the partnership's focus on functional nutrition.
Target applications
The partnership focuses on functional nutrition applications across Iberian Peninsula food and beverage sectors. Prolacto sells internationally to industrial buyers and private-label customers, supplying both dairy-based and non-dairy ingredients. The collaboration is committed to expanding hybrid protein solutions for manufacturers in the region, leveraging NXW's sustainable proteins and Prolacto's application expertise.
