Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Size & Share 2019 to 2026
Market Size by Source (Wood, Non-wood), by Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Paints & Coatings), Industry Analysis Report, Application Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast.
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Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Size
Microcrystalline Cellulose Market size was USD 868.5 million in 2018 and will grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2019 to 2026.
Microcrystalline cellulose is a chemically inert and tasteless compound with multiple applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics & personal care and paints & coating sector. It is used as a substitute to unhealthy fat and provides texture for baked food products. The product caters a large amount of fiber that helps in improving the digestion. It also serves as an excellent nutrition contributor for several nutrients. Rapidly growing population, increasing obesity epidemic and changing consumer perception towards healthier foods will drive the product adoption.
Increasing application of microcrystalline cellulose in food and pharmaceutical industry will primarily escalate the MCC market penetration over the study timeframe. It finds application in multiple pharmaceutical products such as pellets, tablets, capsules, suspensions and emulsions. Moreover, skin care, hair care, and oral care products utilize MCC as a significant ingredient to enhance their quality and effectiveness.
Rapidly growing population mainly in the emerging economies is propelling food industry over the projected period. For instance, according to World Bank, in 2018, the population of Indonesia rose to 267 million as compared to 264 million in 2017. MCC is used in the preparation of multiple food items and preferred as hot and cold stabilizer in ice cream, canned meat, frozen food and condiment for improving their stability. The major constituent of the product is cellulose that is widely accepted as a dietary fiber. It finds significant applications in functional & nutraceutical food to improve functioning of gastrointestinal tract and expression enzymes for lipid metabolizing.
Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Analysis
Wood-based microcrystalline cellulose market to account for major share owing to its use as fat substitute, texturizer, extender and bulking agent. The wood based MCC is majorly applicable in the drug formulation for vitamin tablets and supplements. Increasing R&D investment across pharmaceutical industry will support its implementation for medicine formulation. However, rising environmental concerns to reduce deforestation will limit its growth over the forecast timeframe.
Non-wood based microcrystalline cellulose holds significant share with its adaptation for industrial purposes. The reducing wood availability coupled with the rising pulp demand from emerging economies in Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America will propel the segment penetration. Non-wood sources include reed stalks, sisal fiber, rice and wheat straws, jute, coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, soya bean husk, groundnut husk and several other sources. Moreover, agricultural residues are an excellent alternative for wood-based products due to high availability and ease in accessibility.
Personal care will witness considerable growth in the microcrystalline cellulose market size owing to the improving consumer lifestyles across the globe. The product is utilized in abrasive absorbent, emulsion stabilizer and slip modifier to enhance the chemical properties. It acts as an agent to increase the aqueous viscosity and used for manufacturing hair, bath, eye & facial makeup, shaving and skincare products. Increasing individual income from countries including India, China, Malaysia and Indonesia owing to improving economic factors will stimulate the product share.
Pharmaceutical will register substantial share over the forecast owing to its use as bulking agent and laxative in medicines. The product provides increased compressibility and compatibility properties to the drug. Further, it is used in the formulation of hard tablets that can dissolve instantly for enhanced performance and provide improved disintegration and absorption that supports its application in medicines.
Improving disposable income in Asia Pacific region is influencing the consumers to purchase multiple variety of personal care products thereby driving the microcrystalline cellulose market growth. For instance, personal care sector in India was valued around USD 6.5 billion in 2016 and projected to reach over USD 20 billion by the end of 2026. Further, increasing obese population is increasing the requirement for healthy and fat-free food items in emerging countries.
Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Share
Manufacturers are involved in increasing their product lineup to enhance their revenue generation. For instance, in August 2015, DFE Pharma announced the launch of Pharmacel 112 with low-moisture lactose grade for formulating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The MCC market participants are also undergoing merger & acquisition to strengthen their regional presence and product penetration.
The prominent players operating in the microcrystalline cellulose market share includes:
Consistent R&D investment in the pharmaceutical industry are providing a positive outlook on the new product development and product portfolio expansion. This is resulting in manufacturing several categories of drugs to ensure substantial gains over the projected timeframe. Furthermore, industry players focusing towards fat-free food products is another influencing factor for volume growth over the study timeframe.
The microcrystalline cellulose industry research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in kilo tons and revenue in USD million from 2015 to 2026, for the following segments:
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Microcrystalline Cellulose Market, By Source By Industry
Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Share, By Industry
The above information is 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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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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