Food Thickening Agents Market

Food Thickening Agents Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

FMI estimates that the global food thickening agents market size could surpass US$ 3.93 billion by 2033, up from US$ 2.70 billion in 2023. During this assessment period, the market is likely to exhibit a moderate CAGR of 4%.

Food thickening agents are frequently used to change the rheological and textural characteristics as well as to improve the quality aspects. The main purposes of food thickeners are to increase moisture binding capacity, modify structures, and modify flow behavior features. Modified starches, proteins, exudates and seed gums, seaweed extracts, and microbial polysaccharides have all been proven to be capable of enhancing the mouthfeel, handling qualities, and stability of products.

Consumer preferences change frequently which increases the demand and popularity of convenience foods. Busy lifestyles, the growing influence of the retail industry, and the high demand for ready-to-eat products are the reason behind this. Given their busy and stressful schedules, the working population nowadays prefers using convenience foods.

Convenient foodstuffs contain different thickeners, including maize starch, arrowroot, cassava, agar-agar, gelatin, and eggs. Food items often contain thickeners to improve qualities including viscosity, texture, density, stability, taste, and more.

Food manufacturers are also introducing new packaged food products that offer convenience and added nutritional benefits. These factors are contributing to the increased revenue growth in the processed foods market.

Shelf-stable foods, refrigerated or frozen foods, and easy-to-make dry mixes have grown prevalent lately. Shelf-stable foods, refrigerated or frozen foods, and easy-to-make dry mixes are convenient options for customers. These food products require thickening agents to increase their shelf life of these food products, leading to market growth.

Market expansion is fueled by a rise in global exports and imports of processed foods. Trade activities involving processed foods tend to improve and preserve the cleanliness and quality of the food, which helps the market expand.

In the upcoming years, the market expansion is anticipated to be boosted by the evolving demand for non-alcoholic beverages. Food thickeners, such as xanthan gum, agar, alginate, and CMC, are widely used in various beverage applications to enhance texture and consistency. Additionally, many beverage manufacturers prefer using thickening agents like arabinogalactan, a bio-polymer, in their products.

The thickening process for beverages involves several procedures, including suspension, cling, pouring, pumping, mouthfeel, and spraying, to achieve desired properties. Food thickeners are commonly employed in fruit-based drinks worldwide to improve their texture and overall quality.

Demand for dressings and sauces is expected during the forecast period leading to market expansion. Hydrocolloids, such as alginates, locust bean gum, and starches, are commonly used as thickening agents for sauces. This substitutes synthetic waxes like sorbitan monostearate and polyoxyethylene.

Alginates, locust bean gum, and xanthan gum are used to thicken dressings, while starch is used to thicken sauces. Various thickeners, including gum Arabic, are applied in sauces and dressings depending on thickener accessibility. Commercial sauces often also use multi-functional flours as thickening ingredients to enhance their texture and complexity.

2023 to 2033 Food Thickening Agents Market Outlook In Comparison To Sales Registered In 2018 to 2022

The global food thickening agents market is likely to proliferate at a moderate CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2033, in comparison with the CAGR of 2.4% registered between 2018 and 2022. The market revenue was US$ 1.92 billion in 2018 and US$ 2.60 billion in 2022 and it is estimated to reach US$ 2.70 billion in 2023 and US$ 3.93 billion by 2033.

The demand for liquids and easily swallowed foods is growing. This demand is typically driven by an increase in the elderly community coupled with the occurrence of dysphagia. Food thickening agents are becoming prevalent among the elder generation because these agents can significantly slow down the conversion of fluids and food, providing adequate time for the swallowing process. Food thickening producers are developing specific food thickening agents for dysphagia.

The market is also being driven by an increase in the demand for convenience foods, an increase in disposable income, and the benefits and functions that come along. Consumers nowadays are getting increasingly concerned about their health. This offers significant growth potential for manufacturers operating in this market.

Consumption of healthy food items including sauces, soups, and salads has been trending upward. The primary reason behind this is the growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. The market is likely to expand at a steady rate given the increasing usage of these food additives in various food and beverage products to ensure the requisite density of these food items.

Food thickening substances have also been a crucial part of diets. These are specifically decisive for persons with conditions that cause them to lose their capacity to swallow their food. These additives make it easier to prepare foods with different consistencies as per the preference. This is expected to create a potential market for food thickening agents.

Customers are becoming more attracted to food products with natural ingredients and clean labeling. Plant-based gums, starches, and pectin are among the natural food thickening agents with clean labeling that are gaining popularity. This trend is expected to increase demand for natural food thickeners. However, food thickening agent obtained from seaweed is also getting popular among consumers.

Recent years have seen large investments by manufacturers in the research and development of food thickening agents. This is likely to persist during the forecast period. To develop new specifications and differentiate their product line, manufacturers have been investigating new herb varieties. Certain manufacturers are also developing improved food thickeners that are low in calories, organic, and water-soluble to improve the efficiency of thickening agents.

Exploring the Regional Patterns of the Food Thickening Agents Market: An In-depth Examination at the Country Level

Due to rising demand for food thickeners in countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico, North America is likely to account for a greater revenue share among other markets during the forecast period. The highly developed food and beverage industries in these nations are projected to continue to drive revenue growth in the North American market.

Food thickeners are in high demand because to the strong presence of many worldwide food processing and production enterprises. Muffins, cakes, and pastries have seen an increase in popularity in North America in recent years. Companies in the baking and confectionery industries are introducing innovations into their offerings by using various thickeners, which is projected to enhance market growth.

During the forecast period, Europe is anticipated to have a significantly consistent revenue growth rate. In Europe, demand for food thickeners is likely to be driven by a well-developed bakery and confectionery sector, as well as increased consumer demand for related products.

Rising demand for energy drinks and packaged juice is likely to drive market revenue growth. Several food thickener companies in Europe export value-added goods such mixtures of various thickeners and flavor additives. Maximum exporters are based in Western Europe, whereas producers are expanding their footprint in Eastern Europe.

As manufacturers of foods and beverages focus on health, product innovation, and improving functional features like flavor and texture, Asia Pacific is anticipated to contribute significantly to the global market. The primary reason behind this is the rising consumption of various types of food in this region that require these thickening agents.

North America's Path to Market Dominance: United States Food Thickening Agents Market Rakes in Revenue with Unique and Irresistible Products

The market in the United States is compelled by the highly established food and beverage sectors. In addition, the industry benefits from the presence of significant international food manufacturing and processing businesses, which boosts product consumption.

The popularity and consumption of processed meals, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-cook foods are rising in the United States. Consumers are demanding products that are both vegan and convenient. The awareness about the functional benefits of food thickeners is also increasing. These factors are increasing the demand for food thickening agents across the country.

Customers are shifting their preference to include the application of organic products. As a result, food and beverage businesses are boosting the adoption of plant-based food thickening agents. NOVATION PRIMA 309 and 609, two new certified-organic clean-label starches for use in the United States and Canada, were introduced by Ingredion Incorporated. These organic functional native corn starches give producers the ability to produce enhanced eating experiences that have increased aesthetic, sensory, and financial appeal. In March 2019, it also obtained potato starch maker Western Polymer which is the leading cationic potato starch supplier in the United States.

The development of a new product portfolio named "NUTRAVA Citrus Fiber" was announced by CP Kelco Inc. in 2019. This focuses on the innate desire of consumers for own-brand products. This substance intends to work as a thickening stabilizer and offer gelling and water replicas for food and beverage products. In the same year, Lallemand Baking announced the launch of LalFerm, a new brand of food thickening agents for baking in the United States.

One of the core potentials for researchers and the top companies contending on the global market is innovation in the extraction and processing of food thickeners from unique natural sources. For instance, in June 2015, researchers at Oregon State University created and sold Ropy 352. It is a special sort of dairy thickening agent with probiotic qualities that can give the meal it is used in.

Europe's Ascending Market Supremacy: the United Kingdom Food Thickening Agents Market is Set to Surge with Growing Demand for Ready-to-Eat Meals

In the United Kingdom, there is a rising demand for ready-to-eat food products. The convenience provided in terms of time savings and labor required to cook these meals has driven this trend. About 73.1% of the entire population of Europe which is around 250 million people, were working professionals in 2021. Since ready-to-eat meals save consumers time, they are becoming more popular.

The United Kingdom is one of the key nations on the global stage that is attracting several global corporations in the food sector. Thus, producers across the nation are coming up with new ideas and putting them into practice. They are also increasing their capacity to satisfy the growing demand from the food sector. For instance, Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG doubled its Xanthan Gum manufacturing capacity in February 2020. This has made it easier for businesses to meet rising consumer demands throughout the food and industrial categories globally.

The growing vegan population as a result of elevated attention to healthy eating practices and growing animal cruelty awareness is boosting demand for plant-based food thickeners. This has resulted in a rise in the demand for thickening agents for food made from plant materials, such as tapioca starch, arrowroot starch, and konjac flour. These ingredients are utilized to replace thickening agents made from animal products, like gelatin.

Asia Pacific's Rapid Rise: India and China Food Thickening Agents Market is Riding the Wave of Changing Consumer Preferences

Indian food thickening agents market is a significant market across the world. The rising breadth of food innovation has been boosting the demand for food thickening agents in the India dairy market. Growing demand for dairy products as people embrace healthier lifestyles is anticipated to support the sales of food thickening agents.

India, a big wheat-consuming nation, also has one of the maximum celiac disease patients worldwide. This has gradually resulted in an increase in health consciousness among the populace. It is propelling the demand for processed foods, such as crackers, bread, biscuits, and cookies that are gluten-free. This is fueling the demand for food thickeners in this country.

At present, China is leading the world when it comes to population and more than half of them are working professionals. Demand for processed and convenient food is increasing immensely across the country as a result of their active and busy lifestyles. One of the top countries in the world for food processing, China is expected to expand as the demand for food products that need thickeners rises. Hence, China is anticipated to see unparalleled growth and a positive market expansion in the upcoming years.

In an effort to make it easier for stroke patients to swallow, Nestlé Health Science and the Chinese Stroke Association partnered in April 2017. Over 2.5 million new stroke cases are reported in China each year, of which 30-65% involve dysphagia. Nestle Health Science introduced its Thicken Up product as part of the partnership with 25 hospitals in Chinese provinces and municipalities.

The expansion of the supermarket and e-commerce industries, rising consumer awareness, and easy accessibility are all expected to lead to an upsurge in product demand in both China and India. The market in these nations is anticipated to be driven by the massively expanded application of thickeners in dietary products to enhance product texture and lengthen shelf life.

Nandini Roy Choudhury

Principal Consultant

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Exploring the Food Thickening Agents Market: An In-depth Segment Analysis

Bakery and Confectionery Segment to drive Food Thickeners Market

Bakery is predicted to lead the global market in terms of revenue contribution over the forecast period, based on application. This segment's sales is predicted to expand due to rising demand for organic baked goods and a quick shift toward healthier snacks. Cakes, pizzas, brownies, cookies and bread are just a few of the baked goods that contain food thickeners.

The common use of hydrocolloid-based food thickeners is in bakery items. Food thickeners provide the appropriate viscosity without compromising nutritious content, and such products are frequently used in fruit pulps and energetic beverages. Hence, revenue in the beverages category is predicted to grow at a considerable CAGR throughout the forecast period.

The adoption of a healthy lifestyle by consumers has resulted in an increase in demand for healthy drinks. This is likely to drive demand for food thickeners in beverages application. The rise of vegan and gluten-free baked goods and confections is helping the food thickener market expansion as well. They can be utilized in replacement of gluten and animal-based components. Hence, they satisfy the demands of ecologically and health-conscious customers.

Plant-based Food Thickening Agents Exhibit High Growth

Due to the rising popularity of vegan foods, food thickeners made from plants are in great demand among customers, notably in the confectionery, bakery, and packaged food industries. The segment's revenue growth is predicted to be aided by the easy availability of raw materials for the development of food thickeners derived from plants.

Because of their great effectiveness and low cost, plant-based components are extensively used ingredients in maximum applications, including bakery, confectionery, and ready-to-eat meals. Corn-starch, agar, tapioca, pectin, xanthan gum, and rice flour are highly used plant-based food thickeners

Demand for plant-based food thickeners has increased in different food industries. Many people are switching to plant-based diets to improve their health conditions. Traditional animal-based thickeners like gelatin are replaced with plant-based thickeners since they are considered healthier alternatives.

Demand for plant-based food items has expanded given the rising acceptance of plant-based diets. People nowadays are shifting toward veganism and vegetarianism. Food producers are therefore creating plant-based substitutes for conventional animal-based products including thickeners.

Food Thickening Agents Market Players Combat to Thicken their Presence in the Market

Top manufacturers have been attempting to build a foothold in the industry by expanding regionally. In the food thickeners manufacturing business, key players are using numerous strategies, including strategic agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and contracts, adopting more advanced technologies, and creating, testing, and releasing new and more efficient food thickeners.

According to the market research Cargill Inc., Ingredion Incorporated., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Kerry Group plc, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Tate & Lyle PLC, TIC Gums, Inc., CP Kelco, Medline Industries, Inc., Inc., Fuerst Day Lawson Limited, are among the key players in the food thickening agents market.

Recent Developments

• With the introduction of FIBERTEXTM CF 502 and FIBERTEX CF 102 citrus fibers in March 2023, Ingredion Incorporated expanded its range of functional, clean-label ingredient solutions to include texturizers derived from citrus fruit peels. VITESSENCE® TEX Crumbles 102 textured protein, a new addition to its wide array of plant-based products, was made public by the company in July 2021. EVANESSETM CB6194 clean label emulsifier, a novel clean label component, was also introduced in March 2020.
• In September 2022, to fulfill the rising demand for starches, sweeteners, and feeds in Asia, Cargill opened its corn wet mill in Surabaya. In addition to helping the local economy, this US$ 100 million facility is anticipated to foster the growth of the food and beverage sector across Asia and provide up to 4,000 new jobs and employment prospects. Its broad range of modified food starches, which includes thinned adapted starch, fairly stable starch, roll-dried starch, and cold-water swelling starch, was introduced in February 2022.
• At Singapore's Biopolis research area, ADM opened its brand-new cutting-edge plant-based innovation center. To fulfill rising food and beverage demand in the Asia Pacific region, the lab intends to create innovative, trendy, and nutritional goods. ADM also obtained Yerbalatina Phytoactives, a producer of organic plant-based extracts and components, located in Portugal, in January 2020. Erich Ziegler, a Germany-based provider of citrus ingredients, which supplies compounds to the taste, food, and beverage sectors, was also purchased by it in March 2019.

How can Market Players in the Food Thickening Agents Market Boost their Business?

• Complete market research should be conducted to find new trends, customer preferences, and market opportunities.
• Provide a varied portfolio of food thickening agents that includes distinctive and uncommon items to cater to various consumer segments.
• Improve product quality by employing strict quality control procedures, testing, and certifications to guarantee regulatory compliance.
• Team up with food scientists, chefs, and industry experts to develop specialized solutions for certain applications, industries, and consumers.
• Broaden distribution channels through strategic partnerships, collaborations, and alliances to enter new markets and reach a larger client base.
• Leverage e-commerce, social media, and digital marketing platforms to boost online visibility, engage with customers, and grow sales online.
• Stay updated with evolving laws, compliance standards, and industry norms to assure conformance and preserve product integrity.
• Provide competitive pricing, promotions, and discounts to entice price-conscious customers and encourage recurring purchases.
• Give out product samples, do product demonstrations, and distribute instructional materials to inform consumers, foster trust, and promote the trial and adoption.

Key Segments Covered

By Source:

• Plant
  • Guar Gum
  • Gum Arabic
  • Locust Bean Gum
  • Pectin
  • Starches
  • Other Plant Sources
• Seaweed
  • Carrageenan
  • Agar
  • Alginate
• Microbial
  • Gellan Gum
  • Curdlan
  • Xanthan Gum
• Animal (Gelatine)
• Synthetic
  • Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
  • Methyl Cellulose

By Application:

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Meat & Poultry
• Sauces & Dressings
• Beverages
• Dairy Products
• Other Applications

By Region:

• North America
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• Asia Pacific excluding Japan
• Japan
• Middle East & Africa