Gelling Agents Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and Outlook (2024-2031)

Global Gelling Agents Market is segmented By Type (Agar-Agar, Gellan Gum, Curdlan, Xanthan Gum, Karaya Gum, Gelatin, Pectin, Guar Gum, Gum Arabic, Others) By Nature (Organic, Conventional) By Function (Stabilizer, Thickener, Texturizer, Emulsifier) By Application (Food and Beverage, Cosmetics and Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Others) and By Region (North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Market Overview

The Global Gelling Agents Market reached US$ 52.58 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 80.87 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 5.53% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

An increase in the applications of gelling agents in various food products such as jams, desserts, jellies, and sauces helps to boost the market growth of the gelling agents market. The gelling agents are also using in the pharmaceutical in gel capsules and cosmetics industry in creams and lotions that further help to boost market growth.

Gelling agents are used in healthy products like dietary supplements and nutritional gummies. They help encapsulate and deliver vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and other bioactive compounds, catering to consumers' health and wellness preferences. Gelling agents offer manufacturers the ability to customize products to meet specific sensory and dietary requirements, allowing for product differentiation in a competitive market.

An increase in product launches by major key players helps to boost market growth over the forecast period. For instance, On April 29, 2022, Rousselot Biomedical launched phenol-functionalized gelatin in the market named as X-Pure GelDAT. The phenolic modification properties of the X-Pure GelDAT grant superior adhesion properties to human tissues.

Market Scope

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Market Dynamics

Rising Demand for Natural Ingredients

Consumers are increasingly associating natural ingredients with health and wellness. Gelling agents made from natural sources are often seen as healthier alternatives to synthetic thickeners and stabilizers. This perception contributes to the demand for natural gelling agents in functional and health-focused food and beverage products.

Natural gelling agents are valued for their ability to enhance the taste and texture of food products while maintaining a natural and authentic flavor profile. They contribute to the overall sensory appeal of the products. Regulatory authorities in various countries are encouraging the use of natural ingredients and clean labeling practices. This support provides an impetus for manufacturers to choose natural gelling agents.

Growing Demand for Functional and Specialty Food and Beverages

The functional food industry and the food supplement sectors are witnessing growth at a faster rate. The specialty food industry is experiencing demand growth, due to increasing consumer preferences for high-quality food products made from gelling agents. Gelling agents are used to encapsulate and deliver these ingredients, ensuring their stability and controlled release. This application is prevalent in products like gummy vitamins, energy chews, and protein gels.

Gelling agents such as pectin and agar-agar are used to increase the dietary fiber content of food products, meeting the demand for fiber-enriched and digestive health-focused offerings. As consumers increasingly adopt plant-based and vegan diets, gelling agents derived from plant sources, such as agar-agar and carrageenan, are in high demand. They are used to create vegan versions of traditional dairy-based products like yogurt and pudding.

Stringent Government Rules and Regulations

The food industry is regulated by stringent laws governing animal-based raw materials and ingredients that are used in the production of the product. Countries such as Europe and North America are actively involved in framing such regulations. For instance, gelatin manufacturers in Europe are required to comply with the specifications and requirements notified in Regulation (EU) 2016/355.

Complex regulatory processes and high compliance costs can create barriers to entry for new players in the gelling agents market. The regulation states that the raw materials used in gelatin production that are intended for human consumption should adhere to certain rules, for instance, they should abide by stated residual limits and go through specific treatments to reduce the disease occurrence among humans.

Segment Analysis

The global gelling agents market is segmented based on type, product type, nature, function, application and region.

Increase in the Consumer's Demand for Gelatin

According to the United Nations University data published in 2023, nearly 270 billion US dollars and 350 billion liters of gelatin are sold globally each year. The functional food industry and the food supplement sectors are witnessing growth at a faster rate. The specialty food industry is experiencing demand growth, due to increasing consumer preferences for high-quality food products. Gelatin base, made of gelatin powder, sugar and other ingredients, is used in the preparation of artisanal pastry, desserts and various other specialty food products.

An increase in product launches by major key players helps to boost segment growth over the forecast period. For instance, On January 21, 2021, Nitta Gelatin India launched international standard gelatin, especially for hotels and restaurants. The newly launched product is manufactured with Japanese technology as per GMP and HACCP systems and under European Regulation (EC).

Geographical Penetration

Asia Pacific Accounted Largest Share in the Market

The Asia-Pacific region is dominating due to the increase in consumer demand for a wider variety of processed and convenience foods that contain gelling agents for texture improvement. China and India are the major shareholding countries in the region due to the increased disposable income of the consumers and increased demand for natural additives in food products.

India is a major producer of seaweed producing around 0.02% of the seaweed of global production. The nation's Seaweed Mission planning to restart cultivation along its 7,500-km peninsular coastline and boost national production from 30,000 tonnes at present to 11 million tonnes by 2025. An increase in the application of agar, alginate, and carrageenan in the food and beverage industry of the region helps to boost the regional growth of the market over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, Roquette Frères, Tate & Lyle, Cargill, Incorporated, Neogen Corporation, Grain Processing Corporation, HISPANAGAR, AGARMEX., Ingredion, and Setexam.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

During the early phases of the pandemic, many gelling agent manufacturers faced shortages of key raw materials due to lockdowns, transportation restrictions, and disruptions in global trade. This led to supply chain challenges and increased prices for some ingredients. Labor shortages in manufacturing facilities impacted production capacity. Social distancing measures and health concerns forced factories to operate at reduced capacity or temporarily shut down.

The closure of restaurants, cafes, and catering services, the foodservice sector experienced a sharp decline in demand for gelling agents, particularly those used in prepared foods and restaurant dishes. On the other hand, there was a surge in demand for gelling agents in the retail grocery sector. Consumers turned to packaged and processed foods, including gel-based products, as they stockpiled goods and cooked more at home.

The pandemic emphasized the importance of health and wellness, leading to increased demand for gelling agents in products such as nutritional gummies, dietary supplements, and functional foods. Consumers became more conscious of the ingredients in their food and personal care products, leading to a greater demand for clean labels and natural gelling agents. This trend accelerated as people sought healthier options during the pandemic.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

Geopolitical conflicts disrupt supply chains of the raw materials used in the production of gelling agents. If any of these materials are sourced from Russia or Ukraine or transported through these regions, disruptions may occur. Instabilities in international trade lead to price volatility for commodities and ingredients used in gelling agents. This affects the cost of production for manufacturers and, in turn, influences pricing for gelling agent products.

Companies in the gelling agents industry need to reevaluate their sourcing strategies due to geopolitical risks. They might seek alternative suppliers or diversify their supplier base to mitigate potential disruptions. Geopolitical conflicts lead to changes in trade regulations and sanctions, which may impact the import and export of certain ingredients or products used in the gelling agents industry.

Key Developments

• On May 19, 2021, Cargill Incorporated expanded its product portfolio by launching an eco-friendly kappa carrageenan texturizer, Satiagel VPC614 for gelling and solid formulations. The newly launched product is made from seaweed, a natural source and is used in the skincare products.
• On January 17, 2023, Flinders University developers and the German biotech company created a seaweed-based coating designed for the replacement of plastics used in fast food packaging. The new product is developed as natural polymer rather than fossil fuel-based products.
• On June 30, 2020, Nouryon completed acquisition with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) business of the J.M. Huber Corporation. This acquisition helps to widening Nouryon’s portfolio of products in CMC, a water-soluble polymer used as a thickener.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global gelling agents market segmentation based on type, nature, function, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of gelling agents’ market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global gelling agents market report would provide approximately 70 tables, 77 figures and 190 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies