Nichols targets functional drinks market with Myprotein clear whey water launch

Nichols will challenge the UK’s largely milk-based protein drinks market with a sugar-free clear whey water range launching in September 2026.

The Myprotein-branded launch marks the Vimto owner’s first move into protein-fortified drinks and expands its presence in the functional beverages category.

Under a multi-year licensing agreement with Myprotein owner THG, Nichols will manufacture and distribute the drinks through its UK network across grocery, convenience and wholesale channels.

Building on our successful partnership with THG, this new product combines Vimto’s distinctive and much-loved flavour with key functional benefits that are driving engagement among consumers, positioning us to capture part of this rapidly growing market.”

Andrew Milne, chief executive of Nichols

Clear whey targets gap in protein drinks market

The 500ml Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water range will launch in Vimto and Raspberry Lemon flavours at a recommended retail price of £2.99. Each bottle will contain 15g of clear whey protein and will be sugar-free and low in calories.

Nichols is entering the category as functional drinks sales continue to rise. UK functional drinks sales reached £5.8 billion in 2026, up 10 percent from 2025, according to NielsenIQ data cited by Nichols. The company said strong demand for protein, the most sought-after functional ingredient across consumer groups, supported its move into the category.

The launch also gives retailers an alternative to the milk-based formats that dominate the protein drinks category. Nichols said the clear whey isolate removes fats and lactose while retaining all essential amino acids.

Andrew Milne, chief executive of Nichols, said: “Building on our successful partnership with THG, this new product combines Vimto’s distinctive and much-loved flavour with key functional benefits that are driving engagement among consumers, positioning us to capture part of this rapidly growing market.”

Nichols and THG expand existing partnership

The product extends a partnership between Nichols and THG that began in 2021, when Myprotein licensed the Vimto brand for its Vimto Clear Whey Protein powder.

The companies have since expanded the collaboration into creatine, collagen, pre-workout products and gummies. They claim Myprotein’s Vimto Clear Whey is now the bestselling clear whey protein product in UK retail.

Neil Mistry, chief executive of THG Nutrition, said: “More and more consumers are looking to boost their protein intake, and functional drinks are becoming an increasingly important way for them to do so. As the UK’s leading Clear Whey brand, we’ve helped redefine how consumers think about protein, and Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water answers that growing demand with an easy, refreshing way to add protein throughout the day.”

He added that the launch marked “an intentional expansion into refreshing ready-to-drink” as Myprotein moves further into chilled and impulse retail channels.

Myprotein joins Levi Roots, ICEE and Sunkist in Nichols’ licensed brand portfolio. The launch also broadens the company’s UK Packaged division beyond conventional soft drinks and into the growing functional beverage market.