Global Food Thickeners Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Type (Starch, Hydrocolloids, and Protein), By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2023 - 2030

Global Food Thickeners Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Type (Starch, Hydrocolloids, and Protein), By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2023 - 2030

The Global Food Thickeners Market size is expected to reach $20.9 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 5.8% CAGR during the forecast period. In the year 2022, the market attained a volume of 7,181.2 Kilo Tonnes, experiencing a growth of 5.6% (2019-2022).

Food thickeners play a crucial role in stabilizing coatings and fillings, ensuring that the visual appeal and quality of the confectionery product are maintained throughout its shelf life. Consequently, the confectionery segment captured $1,000.1 million revenue in the market in 2022. The confectionery segment benefits significantly from using food thickeners to achieve desirable textures and mouthfeel in various products. Certain food thickeners possess gelling properties that are particularly beneficial in producing jellies, gummies, and chewy candies. Thickeners contribute to forming a stable gel structure, providing the characteristic texture and mouthfeel associated with these confectionery items. Some of the factors impacting the market are Increasing demand for processed and convenience foods, Growing aging population and dietary needs and Fluctuations in the costs of raw materials.

The global rise in urbanization and busy lifestyles has escalated demand for processed and convenience foods. Food thickeners enhance these products' texture, stability, and overall quality, increasing their popularity among consumers seeking convenient meal solutions. Ready-to-eat and convenience meals have gained popularity due to their time-saving nature. The aging global population has led to an increased prevalence of conditions such as dysphagia, where individuals have difficulty swallowing. Food thickeners are essential in modifying the viscosity of liquids addressing dietary needs for those with swallowing difficulties. This demographic trend is boosting the food thickeners market, particularly in healthcare settings. Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for seniors' health, and many individuals may face challenges with standard liquid intake. Thickeners modify the consistency of liquids, including water, juice, and nutritional drinks, ensuring that seniors can stay hydrated while addressing swallowing difficulties. As a result of the growing aging population and dietary needs, the food thickeners market is anticipated to increase significantly.

The costs associated with raw materials, production processes, and transportation can be subject to fluctuations, impacting the overall cost of food thickeners. Economic factors, geopolitical events, and supply chain disruptions can introduce uncertainties that may affect pricing and profitability for manufacturers. Food and beverage manufacturers often work within predetermined budgets. Cost fluctuations in food thickeners can create budgetary constraints, limiting the flexibility of manufacturers to invest in premium or innovative thickeners that may be more costly. Cost fluctuations introduce uncertainty into suppliers' and end-users planning and forecasting efforts. This uncertainty makes it challenging for companies to make accurate predictions about future costs, production volumes, and pricing strategies, hindering effective business planning. Fluctuations in the costs of raw materials is a significant challenge that hampers the growth of food thickeners market.

Type Outlook

By type, the food thickeners market is categorized into starch, hydrocolloids, and protein. In 2022, the starch segment held the highest revenue share in the food thickeners market. Starch boasts a range of functional properties that make it an ideal candidate for food thickening applications. Its ability to form gels, stabilize emulsions, and provide viscosity makes it versatile in creating various food products. Starch-based thickeners are employed in myriad applications, including sauces, soups, gravies, desserts, and bakery items, showcasing the adaptability and utility of starch-derived products. The increasing interest in plant-based diets and sustainable food practices has elevated the appeal of starch-derived thickeners. Starch, sourced from plants like corn and potatoes, provides an alternative to synthetic thickeners and animal-derived products.

Application Outlook

Based on application, the food thickeners market is classified into dairy & frozen desserts, beverages, bakery, convenience & processed food, sauces, dressings, marinades, & gravies, and confectionery. The beverages segment acquired a substantial revenue share in the food thickeners market in 2022. Food thickeners allow for the creation of specialty beverages with unique textures and presentations. For example, thickeners can be used to develop bubble teas or boba drinks with chewy tapioca pearls, adding a distinctive and enjoyable element to the beverage. This innovation attracts consumers seeking diverse and novel drink experiences. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, there is a demand for reduced-fat and low-calorie beverage options. Food thickeners play a crucial role in these formulations by providing the desired mouthfeel and texture even in products with lower fat content. This allows for the creation of healthier alternatives without sacrificing sensory appeal.

Source Outlook

On the basis of source, the food thickeners market is divided into plant, animal, and microbe. In 2022, the plant segment dominated the food thickeners market with maximum revenue share. Increasing awareness of health and wellness has led consumers to seek plant-based alternatives. Plant-derived thickeners are often perceived as healthier options, aligning with consumer preferences for natural and nutritious ingredients. The rising popularity of vegan and vegetarian lifestyles has driven the demand for plant-based thickeners. These ingredients are crucial for formulating various vegan and vegetarian products, including plant-based milks, desserts, and meat alternatives. Plant-based thickeners are often associated with clean labels, as they are derived from natural sources and undergo minimal processing. This appeals to consumers seeking transparency in food labels and avoiding synthetic additives.

Regional Outlook

Region-wise, the food thickeners market is analysed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2022, the Europe region led the market by generating the highest revenue share. The processed food industry in Europe is significant, and food thickeners are widely used in formulating processed and convenience foods. European consumers are increasingly conscious of their health and wellness. The European region has a strong preference for natural and minimally processed ingredients. The popularity of dairy alternatives is growing in Europe, driven by lactose intolerance, veganism, and health-conscious consumers.

The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Kerry Group, Plc., Tate & Lyle Plc., Fuerst Day Lawson Ltd., Ingredion Incorporated, Darling Ingredients Inc., Ashland Inc. and CP Kelco U.S., Inc.

Strategies Deployed in Food Thickeners Market

Jan-2023: Cargill, Inc. came into an agreement with Blendtek Ingredients, Inc., a leading supplier of ingredients, proprietary blends, functional formulas, and development solutions for food manufacturers. Under the agreement, Blendtek Ingredients, Inc. will supply Cargill ingredients, enhancing Cargill's distribution network in Canada through Blendtek's locally stocked distribution capabilities. Additionally, Cargill's ingredients comprised starches, texturizing systems, high-stability oils, specialty fats, sweeteners, sugar-reduction systems, traditional and artisanal chocolate, and cocoa.

Mar-2022: CP Kelco U.S., Inc. came into partnership with Shiru, Inc., an AI-enabled company developing performance ingredients for people and planet, to advance sustainable plant-based proteins through precision fermentation technology. CP Kelco has scaled up proteins identified by Flourish, validating Shiru's performance in food prototypes.

Mar-2021: Ingredion Incorporated expanded its starch portfolio by adding Ultra-Tex 1311 modified potato starch to its range for the U.S. and Canada, providing food manufacturers with a cost-effective means to enhance product appeal. The launch demonstrated Ingredion's commitment to expanding potato capabilities.

Dec-2021: Ashland approved and funded a new nonionic synthetic associative thickener (NSAT) facility in North America at its Calvert City, KY site, enhancing global Aquaflow capacity for rheology modifiers, with completion expected in 2024.

Feb-2021: Tate & Lyle PLC completed the acquisition of an 85% share in Chaodee Modified Starch Co., Ltd., a reputable tapioca-modified food starch manufacturer based in Thailand. Through this acquisition, Tate & Lyle expanded its starch manufacturing capacity and geographical expansion.

Jan-2021: Tate & Lyle Plc. expanded its tapioca-based starch line, introducing REZISTA® MAX and BRIOGEL® starches. These enhance process tolerance, mouthfeel, and texture, suitable for various applications like dairy, confectionery, and processed cheese. BRIOGEL® starches create a soft gel, ideal for confections like gummy candies and jams.

Apr-2020: Ingredion Incorporated expanded production in Shandong, China, building a new starch facility to optimize the global supply chain and strengthen partnerships with local and regional customers.

May-2019: Ingredion Incorporated launched three clean label texturizing starches in EMEA, supporting natural claims, providing wide functionality, and enhancing sensory qualities for food and beverage manufacturers.

Scope of the Study

Market Segments covered in the Report:

By Type (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• Starch
• Hydrocolloids
• Protein

By Application (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• Dairy & Frozen Desserts
• Bakery
• Convenience & Processed Food
• Beverages
• Sauces, Dressings, Marinades, & Gravies
• Confectionery

By Source

• Plant
• Animal
• Microbe

By Geography (Volume, Kilo Tonnes, USD Billion, 2019-2030)

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Russia
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• LAMEA
• Brazil
• Argentina
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Rest of LAMEA

Companies Profiled

• Cargill, Incorporated
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Kerry Group, Plc.
• Tate & Lyle Plc.
• Fuerst Day Lawson Ltd.
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Darling Ingredients Inc.
• Ashland Inc.
• CP Kelco U.S., Inc.

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