Food Thickeners Market Size & Share 2023 to 2032
Market Size by Product (Starch [Corn, Potato], Hydrocolloids [Xanthan, Gelatin Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Agar Agar], Protein [Egg white, Gelatin, Collagen]), Source (Plant, Microbial, Animal), Application & Global Forecast.
Report ID: GMI1294
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Published Date: March 2019
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Report Format: PDF
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Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Food Thickeners Market Size
Food Thickeners Market size is estimated to observe around 5.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, due to the surging popularity of plant-based diets to cater to the fast-growing vegan and vegetarian population. As per the World Animal Foundation’s Stats of 2023, there are around 88 million vegans across the globe.
The growing burden of diabetes, obesity and blood pressure has led to the higher preference for organic products to counter high contamination issues in conventional dietary goods, further driving the demand for plant-based food thickeners. As per World Heart Foundation, 1 billion people globally, including 1 in 7 men and 1 in 5 women, are likely to live with obesity by 2030. The rising efforts towards the reduction of the environmental impacts of production processes leading to the development of eco-friendly packaging for thickeners will also contribute to the industry expansion.
Food Thickeners Market Growth Drivers & Restraints
The increasing advances across the food & beverage sector will positively drive the industry growth. The surging focus on new food products developments and bringing reformulations into existing components to meet changing consumer preferences has led to the greater demand for food thickeners in achieving desired product characteristics. However, the potential health hazards posed by xanthan gum and carrageenan, such as allergic reactions and digestive issues may limit the market growth to some extent.
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic positively influenced demand for food thickeners due to the surging preference for shelf-stable and processed foods, such as canned soups, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported that nearly 1.1mn tonnes of ready-to-eat meals were made across Germany from January to September 2020. The growing need to improve texture and stability along with the escalating focus on R&D activities for developing new products with enhanced texture and mouthfeel also led to the increased demand for food thickeners during the pandemic.
Food Thickeners Market Trends
The ongoing R&D efforts for the discovery as well as creation of new food thickeners and texture-enhancing ingredients will prove favorable for the industry growth. For instance, in October 2021, Cargill added a new kappa carrageenan, Satiagel VPC614 to its portfolio of carrageenans to cater to high gelling applications and solid formulations in eco-friendly personal care products. Increasing innovations in hydrocolloids and starches are also expanding options to food manufacturers to enable them to meet the rising consumer requirements for unique textures and enhanced sensory experiences.
Food Thickeners Market Analysis
Protein food thickeners industry, comprising egg white, gelatin, and collagen, is expected to record healthy growth rate between 2023 and 2032, on account of increasing adoption across the bakery sector as foaming agents to offer high foaming characteristics in icing of cakes and pastries. The rising burden of allergies, dietary restrictions, and sensitivities to other thickeners, such as cornstarch and xanthan gum has also steered the product preference. The surging popularity of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan protein-based thickeners will also contribute to the segment growth. For instance, in June 2021, California-based cultured protein provider Geltor launched PrimaColl, the first vegan collagen product to cater to plant-based consumers.
Demand for plant-sourced food thickeners market is set to record more than 5% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, attributed to the rising preference for fat free alternatives over microbial and animal-based thickeners. The surging burden of heart diseases along with the consequent need for lowering cholesterol levels has prompted the consumer preferences for low calorie dietary intakes.
Plant-based food thickeners are gaining significant ground for achieving the desired creaminess and mouthfeel in plant-based milk, yogurt, and cheese. Surging incorporation in plant-based products, such as plant-based meat, dairy alternatives, and plant-based desserts will also add to the product demand. For example, in January 2023, French ingredients supplier Alland & Robert introduced its new acacia gum-based vegan texturing agent for substituting gelatin and pectins in plant-based formulations.
Asia Pacific food thickeners market is poised to witness over 5.5% CAGR between 2023 and 2032. The fast-paced lifestyles of the regional consumers has led to the higher demand for ready-to-eat meals and convenience foods, adding to the popularity of food thickeners to ensure the desired texture and stability. The growing burden of various diseases has steered the higher focus on health and wellness, pushing the need for healthier and lower-calorie alternatives, such as food thickeners, including modified starches and hydrocolloids.
To cite an instance, in January 2023, Nestlé India introduced ThickenUp Clear, its new food and beverage thickener to help patients with swallowing difficulties particularly in oropharyngeal dysphagia. Robust growth of the supermarket & e-commerce sectors along with the increasing utilization of thickeners in dietary products will also prove beneficial for the regional market expansion.
Food Thickeners Market Share
Some of the major food thickeners industry players include:
Food Thickeners Industry News
The food thickeners market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in tons and revenue in USD Million from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:
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Market, By Product
Market, By Source
Market, By Application
The above information has been provided on a regional and country basis for the following:
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
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2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
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Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
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✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
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Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
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