Gelling Agents Market (Updated Version Available)
Gelling Agents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis, By Type (Gelatin, Carrageenan, Agar, Pectin, Gellan, Alginate, Cellulose, and Others), Product Type (Natural and Conventional), Source (Plant, Animal, Algal, and Microbial), Function (Stabilizer, Thickener, Emulsifier, Texturizer, and Others), End-use Industry (Food and Beverages, Cosmetics and Personal care, Pharmaceutical, and Others), By Region, Forecast Period 2023 - 2030.
Report ID : RI_673880 | Date : May 2023 |
Format : 
Key Market Overview:
Gelling agents market size was valued at USD 10.8 Billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2023-2030), and the market is projected to reach USD 17.1 Billion by 2030.
Gelling agents are substances that are added to food to give them a thick, gel like consistency, and they are commonly used in a variety of products, including jams, jellies, desserts, sauces, and soups. Each of the gelling agents has unique properties that make it suitable for different applications, and food and beverage manufacturers use one or more gelling agents in their products depending on the desired texture, flavor, and other characteristics.
Gelling agents have applications in food and cosmetic products for thick or creamy textures. Further, gelling agents also have significant applications in various other fields including microbiology, molecular biology, and tissue culture required in cosmetics and personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.
Moreover, the food and beverages industry is the major end-user of gelling agents. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the revenue in the food market accounted for USD 9.43 trillion in 2023 and is anticipated to witness a volume growth of 5.1% in 2024. Thus, the increasing demand from the food industry is driving the need for gelling agents as they are used in candies, jellies, jams, yogurts, and desserts.
Gelling Agents Report Coverage:
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Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Gelling agents are widely used in frozen desserts as emulsifiers and thickening agents which improve the texture and preserve the desserts for longer periods. The growing demand for convenience foods, increasing consumer interest in natural and organic ingredients, and the development of new and innovative gelling agents that offer improved functionality and performance are influencing factors driving the growth of the market. Further, agar-agar, carrageenan, lecithin, and pectin are some of the gelling agents used in the production and preservation of frozen desserts. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global frozen dessert market is projected to be worth over USD 102.9 billion by the year 2026. Thus, the increasing growth of the frozen dessert industry globally is driving the growth of the gelling agents market.
Restraint:
One of the major restraints of the gelling agents market is the increasing concerns regarding the safety and health effects of certain gelling agents. Some gelling agents, such as carrageenan have been associated with health issues including inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and even cancer. Moreover, the European Union has set limits on the use of carrageenan in infant formulations due to concerns about their potential effects on infant health. As a result, the aforementioned factors are likely to deter market growth.
Opportunities:
Gelling agents have a better opportunity in the development of new, plant-based gelling agents that meet the growing demand for natural and organic ingredients. Consumers are becoming more health conscious and are seeking healthier, more sustainable alternatives to traditional ingredients. Agar and pectin are better alternatives that can be used as gelling agents in vegan foods. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global vegan food market is expected to reach a value of over USD 22 billion in 2025. Thus, the increasing vegan food market is anticipated to grow the demand for gelling agents market over the forecast period.
Chlorinated Polyethylene (PE-C) Market Segmentation:
By Type
The type segment is classified into gelatin, carrageenan, agar, pectin, gellan, alginate, cellulose, and others. In the year 2022, the pectin segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market owing to the rise in applications for various purposes including gelling agents, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, and fat or sugar replacers in low-calorie foods. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global health and wellness food market in 2022 accounted for USD 841 billion and is expected to grow to USD 1 trillion by 2026. Thus, the rising awareness about healthy food and the significant properties of pectin is driving the growth of the gelling agents market.
However, gelatin is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Gelatin is used as gelling agents, stabilizing or thickening agents, and can also be used to supplement other proteins for a greater protein value than individual components. Gelatin also plays a vital role in biomedical applications such as drug delivery or bone reconstruction. Therefore, the above-mentioned applications of gelatin are anticipated to drive segment growth during the forecast period.
By Product Type
The product type segment includes natural and conventional. In the year 2022, the natural segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Natural gelling agents are a multi-functional solution that is applicable in several meat applications.
The production of stabilized multi-phase gelling agents acts as emulsions that are used for meat by-products or foodstuffs including pork skin, pork fat, beef fat, MDM, and a wide range of vegetable oils and fats. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global meat sector amounted to a value of USD 897 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to increase to USD 1354 billion by 2027. Therefore, the growing meat industry is expected to augment the product demand in the upcoming years.
However, the conventional segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to the increasing applications in the personal care and cosmetic industries. Moreover, carrageenan is a natural thickener that is commonly used in skincare products for properties such as gelling, thickening, stabilization, and water-binding. For instance, Cargill, Incorporated offers carrageenan which is specifically used in the manufacturing of personal care products. Therefore, wide applications of gelling agents in the cosmetic industry is anticipated to witness significant market growth in the upcoming years.
By Source
The source segment is divided into plant, animal, algal, and microbial. In 2022, the plant segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Polysaccharides, a gelling agent made up of simple sugars from glucose and are used to form gels and as a result, provide semi-solid or solid surfaces for the development of plants. Furthermore, plant-based gelling agents are used for producing starch and other products that have a wide range of food and beverage applications. Therefore, the growing starch industry is driving the demand for gelling agents.
Further, the animal segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period due to increasing use as a coat for vitamin capsules. Gelling gelatin is used in pharmaceutical industries for the packaging of tablets. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the pharmaceutical and medical packaging segment of the global plastic film market accounted for a value of USD 7.49 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach a value of USD 9.56 billion by 2023. Thus, the significant increase in the pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to witness positive market growth in the upcoming years.
By Function
The function segment includes a stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, texturizer, and others. In 2022, the texturizer segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Food gelling agents are used in the preparation of various types of sauces to develop a smooth texture. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the global sauce and spice market generated a revenue of around USD 190 billion in the year 2020 and is expected to continue to increase through 2025. Further, China is the worlds largest soy sauce-producing country with an annual production of approximately 5 million tons. Thus, the aforementioned factors are driving the growth of the segment.
However, the emulsifier segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to its gratifying texture and suspension stability, and resistance to salts. Moreover, gelling agents are widely used as emulsifiers in various plant-based foods. In addition, according to the report published by Statista, the global plant-based food market is expected to reach USD 77.8 billion in 2025. Therefore, these factors are anticipated to proliferate the market growth during the forecast period.
By End-use Industry
The end-use industry includes food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceutical, and others. In the year 2022, food and beverages accounted for the highest market share. This is due to the significant applications of gelling agents in bakery and confectionary, meat, and ice-cream industries where it is used as texturizers, emulsifiers, and other functions. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the global market value of processed meat was estimated to be approximately USD 523.1 billion and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 737.2 billion. Thus, the growing processed meat industry is expected to increase the demand for gelling agents during the forecast period.
Further, the pharmaceutical industry is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to the rising pharmaceutical industry. Various industries are using gelatin for tablet manufacturing purposes. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, revenue in the pharmaceuticals market is projected to reach USD 1,163.00 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach a market volume of USD 1,435.00 billion by 2027. Owing to such an increase in the pharmaceutical industry, the gelling agents market is anticipated to witness significant market growth in the upcoming years.
By Region:
By region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. In 2022, Europe accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market owing to the prevalence of the manufacturers of gelling agents in the region. The presence of key market players including BASF SE and Rousselot B.V. (Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V.) among others is one of the market\'s major driving factors in the market. Further, according to the report published by Statista, Europe is one of the largest regions in the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, Europe generated around USD 213 billion in the year 2022. These factors are the leading cause of Europe to be the largest gelling agent market.
Further, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period. According to FoodNavigator-Asia, Asia dominates the global vegetarian market. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the revenue of the global food market was highest in China at a value of approximately USD 1.26 trillion in 2022. However, the food industry will simultaneously increase the demand for gelling agents in the region for various purposes including improving the textures among others. This in turn will drive the gelling agents market growth during the forecast period.
Gelling Agents Market Competitive Landscape:
The gelling agents market is highly competitive, with several large players and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies have strong research and development capabilities and a strong presence in the market through their extensive product portfolios and distribution networks. The market is characterized by intense competition, with companies focusing on expanding their product offerings and increasing their market share through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. The key players in the market include-
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Ingredion Incorporated
• DSM Nutritional Products AG
• Ashland
• CP Kelco US, Inc. (J.M. HUBER)
• Tate & Lyle plc
• BASF SE
• Rousselot B.V. (Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V.)
• Tereos
• Merck KGaA
Recent Developments
• In October 2021, Cargill expanded its portfolio of carrageenans with the introduction of Satiagel VPC614, a kappa carrageenan that is specifically designed for solid formulations and high-gelling applications. The addition of this product is in response to the increasing demand for eco-friendly personal care products that offer both performance and sustainability.
• In January 2021, Tate & Lyle, a renowned supplier of food and beverage solutions and ingredients worldwide, expanded its range of tapioca-based starches by introducing new products such as REZISTA MAX thickening starches and BRIOGEL gelling starches. These innovative starches are designed to provide food manufacturers with superior quality products, thanks to their enhanced process tolerance, texture, fluidity, and mouthfeel.
Gelling agents market size was valued at USD 10.8 Billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2023-2030), and the market is projected to reach USD 17.1 Billion by 2030.
Gelling agents are substances that are added to food to give them a thick, gel like consistency, and they are commonly used in a variety of products, including jams, jellies, desserts, sauces, and soups. Each of the gelling agents has unique properties that make it suitable for different applications, and food and beverage manufacturers use one or more gelling agents in their products depending on the desired texture, flavor, and other characteristics.
Gelling agents have applications in food and cosmetic products for thick or creamy textures. Further, gelling agents also have significant applications in various other fields including microbiology, molecular biology, and tissue culture required in cosmetics and personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.
Moreover, the food and beverages industry is the major end-user of gelling agents. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the revenue in the food market accounted for USD 9.43 trillion in 2023 and is anticipated to witness a volume growth of 5.1% in 2024. Thus, the increasing demand from the food industry is driving the need for gelling agents as they are used in candies, jellies, jams, yogurts, and desserts.
Gelling Agents Report Coverage:
| Report Attributes | Report Details |
| Study Timeline | 2017-2030 |
| Market Size in 2030 (USD Billion) | 17.1 Billion |
| CAGR (2023-2030) | 5.5 % |
| Base Year | 2022 |
| By Type | Gelatin, Carrageenan, Agar, Pectin, Gellan, Alginate, Cellulose, and Others |
| By Product Type | Natural and Conventional |
| By Source | Plant, Animal, Algal, and Microbial |
| By Function | Stabilizer, Thickener, Emulsifier, Texturizer, and Others |
| By End use industry | Food and Beverages, Cosmetics and Personal care, Pharmaceutical, and Others |
| By Geography |
|
| Key Players | Cargill, Incorporated, Ingredion Incorporated, DSM Nutritional Products AG, Ashland, CP Kelco US, Inc. (J.M. HUBER), Tate & Lyle plc, BASF SE, Rousselot B.V. (Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V.), Tereos, Merck KGaA |
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Gelling agents are widely used in frozen desserts as emulsifiers and thickening agents which improve the texture and preserve the desserts for longer periods. The growing demand for convenience foods, increasing consumer interest in natural and organic ingredients, and the development of new and innovative gelling agents that offer improved functionality and performance are influencing factors driving the growth of the market. Further, agar-agar, carrageenan, lecithin, and pectin are some of the gelling agents used in the production and preservation of frozen desserts. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global frozen dessert market is projected to be worth over USD 102.9 billion by the year 2026. Thus, the increasing growth of the frozen dessert industry globally is driving the growth of the gelling agents market.
Restraint:
One of the major restraints of the gelling agents market is the increasing concerns regarding the safety and health effects of certain gelling agents. Some gelling agents, such as carrageenan have been associated with health issues including inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and even cancer. Moreover, the European Union has set limits on the use of carrageenan in infant formulations due to concerns about their potential effects on infant health. As a result, the aforementioned factors are likely to deter market growth.
Opportunities:
Gelling agents have a better opportunity in the development of new, plant-based gelling agents that meet the growing demand for natural and organic ingredients. Consumers are becoming more health conscious and are seeking healthier, more sustainable alternatives to traditional ingredients. Agar and pectin are better alternatives that can be used as gelling agents in vegan foods. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global vegan food market is expected to reach a value of over USD 22 billion in 2025. Thus, the increasing vegan food market is anticipated to grow the demand for gelling agents market over the forecast period.
Chlorinated Polyethylene (PE-C) Market Segmentation:
By Type
The type segment is classified into gelatin, carrageenan, agar, pectin, gellan, alginate, cellulose, and others. In the year 2022, the pectin segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market owing to the rise in applications for various purposes including gelling agents, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, and fat or sugar replacers in low-calorie foods. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global health and wellness food market in 2022 accounted for USD 841 billion and is expected to grow to USD 1 trillion by 2026. Thus, the rising awareness about healthy food and the significant properties of pectin is driving the growth of the gelling agents market.
However, gelatin is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Gelatin is used as gelling agents, stabilizing or thickening agents, and can also be used to supplement other proteins for a greater protein value than individual components. Gelatin also plays a vital role in biomedical applications such as drug delivery or bone reconstruction. Therefore, the above-mentioned applications of gelatin are anticipated to drive segment growth during the forecast period.
By Product Type
The product type segment includes natural and conventional. In the year 2022, the natural segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Natural gelling agents are a multi-functional solution that is applicable in several meat applications.
The production of stabilized multi-phase gelling agents acts as emulsions that are used for meat by-products or foodstuffs including pork skin, pork fat, beef fat, MDM, and a wide range of vegetable oils and fats. For instance, according to the report published by Statista, the global meat sector amounted to a value of USD 897 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to increase to USD 1354 billion by 2027. Therefore, the growing meat industry is expected to augment the product demand in the upcoming years.
However, the conventional segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to the increasing applications in the personal care and cosmetic industries. Moreover, carrageenan is a natural thickener that is commonly used in skincare products for properties such as gelling, thickening, stabilization, and water-binding. For instance, Cargill, Incorporated offers carrageenan which is specifically used in the manufacturing of personal care products. Therefore, wide applications of gelling agents in the cosmetic industry is anticipated to witness significant market growth in the upcoming years.
By Source
The source segment is divided into plant, animal, algal, and microbial. In 2022, the plant segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Polysaccharides, a gelling agent made up of simple sugars from glucose and are used to form gels and as a result, provide semi-solid or solid surfaces for the development of plants. Furthermore, plant-based gelling agents are used for producing starch and other products that have a wide range of food and beverage applications. Therefore, the growing starch industry is driving the demand for gelling agents.
Further, the animal segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period due to increasing use as a coat for vitamin capsules. Gelling gelatin is used in pharmaceutical industries for the packaging of tablets. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the pharmaceutical and medical packaging segment of the global plastic film market accounted for a value of USD 7.49 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach a value of USD 9.56 billion by 2023. Thus, the significant increase in the pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to witness positive market growth in the upcoming years.
By Function
The function segment includes a stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, texturizer, and others. In 2022, the texturizer segment accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market. Food gelling agents are used in the preparation of various types of sauces to develop a smooth texture. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the global sauce and spice market generated a revenue of around USD 190 billion in the year 2020 and is expected to continue to increase through 2025. Further, China is the worlds largest soy sauce-producing country with an annual production of approximately 5 million tons. Thus, the aforementioned factors are driving the growth of the segment.
However, the emulsifier segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to its gratifying texture and suspension stability, and resistance to salts. Moreover, gelling agents are widely used as emulsifiers in various plant-based foods. In addition, according to the report published by Statista, the global plant-based food market is expected to reach USD 77.8 billion in 2025. Therefore, these factors are anticipated to proliferate the market growth during the forecast period.
By End-use Industry
The end-use industry includes food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceutical, and others. In the year 2022, food and beverages accounted for the highest market share. This is due to the significant applications of gelling agents in bakery and confectionary, meat, and ice-cream industries where it is used as texturizers, emulsifiers, and other functions. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the global market value of processed meat was estimated to be approximately USD 523.1 billion and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 737.2 billion. Thus, the growing processed meat industry is expected to increase the demand for gelling agents during the forecast period.
Further, the pharmaceutical industry is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to the rising pharmaceutical industry. Various industries are using gelatin for tablet manufacturing purposes. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, revenue in the pharmaceuticals market is projected to reach USD 1,163.00 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach a market volume of USD 1,435.00 billion by 2027. Owing to such an increase in the pharmaceutical industry, the gelling agents market is anticipated to witness significant market growth in the upcoming years.
By Region:
By region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. In 2022, Europe accounted for the highest market share in the gelling agents market owing to the prevalence of the manufacturers of gelling agents in the region. The presence of key market players including BASF SE and Rousselot B.V. (Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V.) among others is one of the market\'s major driving factors in the market. Further, according to the report published by Statista, Europe is one of the largest regions in the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, Europe generated around USD 213 billion in the year 2022. These factors are the leading cause of Europe to be the largest gelling agent market.
Further, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period. According to FoodNavigator-Asia, Asia dominates the global vegetarian market. Moreover, according to the report published by Statista, the revenue of the global food market was highest in China at a value of approximately USD 1.26 trillion in 2022. However, the food industry will simultaneously increase the demand for gelling agents in the region for various purposes including improving the textures among others. This in turn will drive the gelling agents market growth during the forecast period.
Gelling Agents Market Competitive Landscape:
The gelling agents market is highly competitive, with several large players and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies have strong research and development capabilities and a strong presence in the market through their extensive product portfolios and distribution networks. The market is characterized by intense competition, with companies focusing on expanding their product offerings and increasing their market share through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. The key players in the market include-
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Ingredion Incorporated
• DSM Nutritional Products AG
• Ashland
• CP Kelco US, Inc. (J.M. HUBER)
• Tate & Lyle plc
• BASF SE
• Rousselot B.V. (Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V.)
• Tereos
• Merck KGaA
Recent Developments
• In October 2021, Cargill expanded its portfolio of carrageenans with the introduction of Satiagel VPC614, a kappa carrageenan that is specifically designed for solid formulations and high-gelling applications. The addition of this product is in response to the increasing demand for eco-friendly personal care products that offer both performance and sustainability.
• In January 2021, Tate & Lyle, a renowned supplier of food and beverage solutions and ingredients worldwide, expanded its range of tapioca-based starches by introducing new products such as REZISTA MAX thickening starches and BRIOGEL gelling starches. These innovative starches are designed to provide food manufacturers with superior quality products, thanks to their enhanced process tolerance, texture, fluidity, and mouthfeel.
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