The second Precision Nutrition Industry Conference was held in Harbin from August 21 to 23, gathering top-tier experts and industry leaders in the field. Organized by the Precision Nutrition Industry Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society, the event was exclusively undertaken by China Feihe (06186) as the sole corporate host, with co-hosting support from the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, and several other specialized committees.

The conference brought together academicians and renowned experts in nutrition, bioscience, and food science from both domestic and international institutions, alongside leading companies in the sports nutrition and wellness sectors, including By-health, CPIT, Xizi Health, and Beili Biotech. This gathering marked the highest-specification and largest-scale industry event in China's precision nutrition space.

Where to begin

During the conference, China Feihe made a major announcement, unveiling its professional protein ingredient brand "Zhi Chun" along with a series of self-produced protein raw materials. The company also collaborated with Aker BioMarine, Shandong Yuxin Bio, Xiaozao Technology, Yuansheng Bio, and Zhongke Guanggu to introduce five innovative protein compound ingredients, addressing challenges in protein raw material supply. Additionally, China Feihe launched a comprehensive portfolio of protein nutrition products spanning the entire human lifecycle, delivering fresh, high-quality milk protein that is "better suited to the Chinese physique" to meet the evolving nutritional demands of the population.

Zhi Chun debuts as a domestic breakthrough

China's protein nutrition sector currently faces dual challenges of demand and supply. On the demand side, the domestic protein powder market is projected to exceed RMB 38.7 billion by 2026, growing 17.99% year-on-year, with per-capita protein intake rising 68% compared to 2023. On the supply side, global protein raw materials remain tight, with concentrated whey protein (WPC80) costs surging 108% over the past two years, while over 90% of domestic whey protein relies on imports.

"Protein production starts with raw materials. Only fresh raw materials deliver quality nutrition, and we must control the core ingredients ourselves to provide the best for our people," said Leng Youbin, Chairman of China Feihe. Since 2011, the company has pursued deep processing research on milk protein, conducting over 3,000 trials and utilizing nearly 300,000 tonnes of milk over 15 years. Through its globally unique "Fresh Active Milk Protein Extraction Technology," China Feihe has overcome technical barriers in domestic protein separation.

The newly launched protein ingredient brand "Zhi Chun FURIMMO" offers three core advantages. In processing, while foreign producers typically extract whey protein from cheese by-products using chemical precipitation and secondary refinement, China Feihe directly extracts from fresh milk at low temperatures in a single step, preserving the natural structure and bioactivity of the protein. In quality, the company applies its infant formula standards across the entire raw material production chain and establishes industry-leading freshness criteria for milk-derived ingredients. In capacity, three deep-processing bases in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia are now fully operational, processing 3,000 tonnes of fresh milk daily, with plans to open raw material supply to the entire industry.

"The name 'Zhi Chun' signifies fresh-extracted nutrition with stable protection, reflecting our commitment to original quality and advanced technology for lasting nutritional efficacy," explained Zhang Xuguang, Vice President of China Feihe and Director of its Research Institute. Positioned as a "protein technology expert," Zhi Chun has developed three product categories—milk protein, milk fat, and milk permeate—offering one-stop raw material solutions for global clients.

Six self-produced ingredients and strategic partnerships

Different populations have distinct protein needs: athletes require rapid recovery support, while seniors prioritize gentle, easily absorbed options. However, the scarcity of premium milk protein ingredients, such as high-quality casein and high-purity alpha-lactalbumin, has constrained innovation in sports nutrition and elderly-focused products. To fill this domestic gap, China Feihe unveiled six self-produced protein ingredients at the conference, covering casein, whey protein, and milk protein categories.

The MicLacPro series includes three casein products with tiered technical breakthroughs: instant casein dissolves quickly without clumping, suitable for product development and automated production; hydrolyzed casein releases multiple active peptides through enzymatic processes for sports recovery and post-operative nutrition; and small-molecule milk protein offers controlled release for both rapid absorption and sustained supply. The natural whey protein surpasses imported alternatives in activity and quality, while high-purity alpha-lactalbumin breaks overseas technological monopolies. Concentrated milk protein can be customized to meet diverse formulation needs across industries.

In addition, China Feihe Zhi Chun collaborated with Aker BioMarine, Shandong Yuxin Bio, Xiaozao Technology, Yuansheng Bio, and Zhongke Guanggu to launch protein compound premix solutions. By combining self-produced high-activity milk protein with plant and marine bioactive ingredients, the company achieves synergistic nutritional enhancement, expanding milk protein applications.

At the event, China Feihe Zhi Chun signed strategic cooperation agreements with leading sports nutrition and wellness companies, including CPIT, Xizi Health, Beili Biotech, and JD.com. These partnerships focus on precision nutrition product innovation and building a self-sufficient domestic protein supply chain, accelerating the large-scale adoption of high-quality domestic milk protein ingredients. To date, China Feihe's raw material business has collaborated with well-known brands such as LIGAO, Nestlé, Mixue Ice City, Mengniu, Hairong, and Vim, serving diverse applications in food processing, functional ingredients, sports nutrition, medical foods, elderly nutrition, and beverages.

Liang Shuisheng, Vice Chairman of By-health, commented: "Protein demand is enormous, and the market outlook is increasingly promising. Feihe's breakthrough in dairy deep processing will significantly advance the development of milk protein in China's dairy industry."

Full-lifecycle protein products with infant-grade standards

Yang Yuexin, President of the Chinese Nutrition Society, noted that while overall protein intake is sufficient, the ratio of animal to plant protein is imbalanced. A 2025 national survey reveals that over 70% of people lack knowledge on proper protein supplementation, nearly 90% of seniors reduce protein intake due to digestive concerns, and 55.71% of children have monotonous protein sources. Addressing these widespread issues, China Feihe has leveraged its deep expertise in infant formula to extend its rigorous raw material management, manufacturing, and quality assurance systems to products for all age groups.

At the conference, China Feihe unveiled a comprehensive protein nutrition product matrix covering ages 0-100: for infants, its flagship formula products like Xingfeifan, Zhuorui, Qicui, and Jicui all use self-produced fresh ingredients within 30 days; for children and adolescents, innovative products like "Love Eating Vegetables Cheese" provide dual protein and dietary fiber support; and for adults and seniors, the Aiben Pro50 special meal powder series features small-molecule milk protein for easy absorption and muscle support.

From core raw material innovation to collaborative industry ecosystem building and full-lifecycle product deployment, China Feihe is driving the upgrade of precision nutrition through its complete domestic milk protein industry chain. Moving forward, the company will continue to deepen its focus on precision protein nutrition, pursuing technological innovation, capacity expansion, and open ecosystem sharing to foster high-quality development of the domestic milk protein industry and deliver protein nutrition solutions tailored to the Chinese physique, solidifying a robust industrial foundation for the nation's lifelong health.