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Product Concept GroupStart a project

SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCIALIZATION

Protein bar & functional food development

PCG connects bar formulation with the process and consumer experience the brand wants to deliver. Extruded, cold-formed, baked, layered and coated concepts need their own brief for texture, ingredients, storage, package and commercial targets.

A nutrition bar and bite with visible crisp inclusions in cross-section.
Concept visualization · illustrative, not client work.
Select a process around the product

DEFINE THE WORK. RESOLVE THE DECISIONS.

Select a process around the product

Define the eating experience, dimensions, ingredient restrictions, coating and target cost before treating a process as settled. Manufacturer equipment and capabilities shape what can be trialed. Compare prototypes under consistent preparation and evaluation conditions.

Evaluate texture over time

Texture at the first tasting is only one development observation. Plan how the agreed product attributes will be evaluated in the intended package and storage conditions. If an existing bar hardens or changes, investigate formula, process and packaging factors through controlled comparisons.

Prepare for manufacturing trials

The handoff should identify materials, specifications, prototype references, process assumptions and acceptance criteria. Agree how trial results will be recorded, what changes need approval and which tests remain open before committing to a commercial run.

What the engagement can deliver

  • Bar concept and process comparison
  • Ingredient and sensory specification brief
  • Trial and shelf-life questions
  • Manufacturer selection and handoff scope

These are scoping options, not a fixed package. Deliverables, milestones, testing, rights and exclusions are agreed before work begins.

Discuss your project ↗

A clear scope and commercial model

PCG is a development and coordination partner. The selected CDMO performs manufacturing; qualified research and testing partners execute specialist work as agreed. Client fees apply to development and portfolio engagements below $50 million in annual revenue. Eligible engagements above $50 million can be client-fee-free with CDMO compensation under agreed terms. Research is separately quoted at market rates; production and testing are not implied to be free. At exactly $50 million, confirm the model with PCG.

Scope, compensation and ownership questions ↗

Useful next steps

Ingredient sourcing ↗Normalize manufacturing quotes ↗Plan commercialization ↗
Plan the work with clearer answers.

PRACTICAL BUYER QUESTIONS

Plan the work with clearer answers.

Who can help me choose between an extruded, cold-formed or baked protein bar and formulate for that process?

Choose a bar process alongside the target texture, ingredient constraints, dimensions, coating and cost. PCG can help compare extruded, cold-formed and baked concepts and identify suitable manufacturing capabilities. A formula should be developed for the selected process rather than transferred on assumption.

I have a protein bar that hardens during storage. Who can investigate the formula and shelf-life problem?

A hardening investigation should review the formula, process, storage conditions, package and changes over time. PCG can help define controlled trials and a shelf-life evaluation brief with the manufacturer. Changes need to be tested against both texture and the agreed product specification.

Development guidance prepared September 25, 2026. Scope, feasibility, evidence requirements and responsibilities are confirmed for each project. Editorial approach.

Discuss these development questions ↗
Practical resources for your product brief.

MAKE THE NEXT DECISION WITH CONFIDENCE

Practical resources for your product brief.

Development partner due diligence ↗Format feasibility ↗CDMO quote comparison ↗Research scoping ↗Beverage process selection ↗

FROM INTEREST TO A CLEAR NEXT STEP

Have a launch
date in mind?

Work back from it. Formulation, testing, packaging and manufacturing each need a place in your plan.

  1. 01Tell us what you want to build.
  2. 02Discuss feasibility and priorities.
  3. 03Agree the scope before work begins.
Build your project brief See engagement terms

YOUR NEXT PRODUCT STARTS HERE

Make the next
move a clear one.

Three starting points for a better conversation. No contact details needed until the next step.

Timing is a planning input, not a delivery commitment. We’ll discuss feasibility and scope together.