Alginate Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Type (High M, High G), Product (Calcium, Potassium, Propylene Glycol), Application (Cosmetics, Biofuels, Leisure Industry) and By Geography

Alginate Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Type (High M, High G), Product (Calcium, Potassium, Propylene Glycol), Application (Cosmetics, Biofuels, Leisure Industry) and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Alginate Market is accounted for $819.89 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $1,244.29 million by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. Alginate, or alginic acid, refers to a naturally occurring polysaccharide usually extracted from brown algae. It is commercially available in filamentous and granular forms of sodium, calcium, and potassium alginate that can bind with water to form a viscous gum. As a result, alginate is widely used for casting dental molds and thickening food products, such as jellies, jams, ice-creams, marmalades, frozen desserts, chocolates, and instant noodles. It also finds extensive applications in processing textiles, paper, and pulp. In comparison to the traditionally used thickening compounds, alginate has higher biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and lower toxicity.

Macrocystis is harvested on the west coast of North America, from the Monterey peninsula in central California to the middle of the west coast of Baja California. It has been estimated that the USA harvests about 150 000 t (wet) and Mexico about 40 000 t (wet) per year (ITC, 1981). Nereocystis grows north of the Macrocystis beds but the two overlap and some Nereocystis is also harvested incidentally. Macrocystis was harvested on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, from 1964-73, but the quantities available were insufficient to sustain an alginate industry.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rise in demand in food industry

The rise in demand for alginate in the food industry due to its robust gelling properties is driving the global alginate market. Alginate has functional properties such as thickening agent, gelling agent, stabilizer, emulsifier, and film-forming property. Sodium Alginate is extracted from brown seaweed. The product is used as a stabilizer for yogurt, ice cream, cream, and cheese. Also, it acts as an emulsifier and thickener for pudding, jam, salad, tomato juice, and canned products. Alginate is a hydration agent for bread, cool, noodles, and frozen products. Alginate also can preserve frozen fish. Coatings and films of calcium alginate are capable of preserving frozen fish. It is highly useful in oily fish that become rancid smelling because of oxidation even when quickly frozen.

Restraint:

Availability of substitute

Alginate is a biomaterial that has numerous applications in biomedical science and engineering due to its favorable properties, such as biocompatibility and ease of gelation. However, few materials can be used as a substitute for alginate. In September 2017, Zhermack Inc., a producer of impression materials for dental clinicians and high-tech solutions for dental laboratories, has announced the introduction of the new material “Freealgin” which can be used as an alternative for alginate. Freealgin is a highly dimensionally stable material that allows for no time limitations for pouring, multi-casting capabilities, safe disinfection & high tear resistance. Freealgin is ideal for preliminary, removable prosthesis, orthodontic, antagonists, and temporary impressions. The availability of substitutes hinders the demand of the global alginate market.

Opportunity:

Potassium alginate creates new opportunities in food industry

Potassium Alginate is used as a thickener, gelling agent, and a possible new material substituting for sodium alginate. For low salt diets and sodium intake suppression, potassium alginate is commonly used as compared to sodium alginate. For health food applications alginate acts as a dietary fiber, potassium alginate has become popular. As per the research, potassium alginate has a much higher sodium ion adsorption capacity over other polysaccharides and the ingestion of potassium alginate. This leads to the excretion of sodium from the body. The research also suggests that it is effective in suppressing hypertension. In addition to the conventional dietary fiber effect (suppression of blood cholesterol, improvement of bowel movements, etc.), the expectations for potassium alginate as a new material that has the effect of excreting sodium from the human body have certainly increased.

Threat:

Volatile production of seaweed

The high boiling point and recyclability of the solvents also ensure lower usage of chemicals and lower production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which make the processes more sustainable. However, much work needs to be scaled up and the techno-commercial feasibility of the processes should be evaluated for commercial exploitation in a sustainable manner. Other commercially important seaweeds such as ulvans and fucoidans are not being extracted using any ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents.

The high G segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The high G segment is growing at the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. High G is rich in guluronic acid blocks that have a broad range of applications in the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Superior gelling performance is responsible for the higher demand for these products in food applications.

The propylene glycol segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The propylene glycol segment is expected to be the largest share during the forecast period. It is an ester of alginic acid with applications as stabilizers, thickeners, and emulsifiers in the pharmaceutical, food, personal care, and cosmetics industries. These products having approval from the FDA as food additive adds up to the demand growth.

Region with largest share:

North America is projected to hold the largest share in the market due to the substantial healthcare spending and growing demand for advanced wound care in the U.S. The region is witnessing a rise in the number of surgeries and rising consumer preference to reduce hospital stay will stimulate the requirements for wound care solutions. A significant rise in the elderly population segment and improved access to affordable healthcare will further trigger product demand.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia Pacific is projected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The presence of numerous manufacturers and the easy availability of raw materials are responsible for the region’s growth. The presence of a large consumer base in countries like China and India also drives the regional alginate market.

Key players in the market:

Some of the key players profiled in the Alginate Market include Algaia SA, Dastech International Inc, Ashland, Brenntag, Cargill, Ceamsa, Dohler Group, Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, FMC Corporation, Ingredients Solutions, Inc., Kimica Corporation, Marine Biopolymers Limited, Penford Corporation, and Shandong Jiejing Group Corporation.

Key developments:

In October 2019: Algaia, a French provider of seaweed extracts, entered into a joint venture with a leading pectin manufacturer, Herbstreith & Fox to offer a sustainable formulation of alginate & pectin. This combination offers enhanced stability & functionality, making it ideal for various baking applications such as cookies, pies, toppings, and fillings. This formulation will be marketed both as a blend and as single ingredients, offering customers with innovative, clean label baking solutions and enhancing the competitive advantage of both companies.

In February 2019: Cambrian announced partnership with CEAMSA. CEAMSA is specialized in the production, development and worldwide distribution of a complete range of Carrageenan, Pectin, Fiber, Alginate, and Refined Locust Bean Gum. These natural hydrocolloids are characterized by their stabilizing, gel forming, thickening, and texturizing properties.

Types Covered:
• High M
• High G

Products Covered:
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Propylene Glycol
• Sodium
• Magnesium
• Lithium
• Ammonium

Functions Covered:
• Thickening Agent
• Acidity Regulator
• Stabilizer
• Foaming and Emulsifying Agent
• Moisture Retainer
• Gelling Agent
• Adhesive
• Coating

Sources Covered:
• Laminaria
• Ascophyllum
• Macrocystis

Applications Covered:
• Industrial
• Medical & Pharmaceutical
• Food and Beverages
• Pulp & Paper
• Textile
• Cosmetics
• Biofuels
• Leisure Industry
• Art and Crafts
• Technical Industry

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances