Hydrocolloids Global Market Report 2026

Hydrocolloids, as a term, refer to substances that have the ability to form a gel in the presence of water. These are high-molecular-weight polysaccharides that can be derived from plants and algae or synthesized by bacteria. In essence, a hydrocolloid is a dispersion of particles in water, consisting of molecules that bind to both water and each other.

The primary types of hydrocolloid products include carrageenan, guar gum, gelatin, pectin, microcrystalline cellulose, and others. Carrageenan, for instance, is a natural hydrocolloid extracted from seaweeds. The processing involves the removal of undesirable natural fibers and mucilage from the seaweed, resulting in a powdered form. These hydrocolloids serve various functions such as thickening, gelling, stabilizing, and more, and can be extracted from diverse sources including botanical, microbial, animal, seaweed, and synthetic origins. They find applications in a range of industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are affecting the hydrocolloids market by increasing costs of imported seaweed extracts, plant gums, fermentation-derived materials, and processing equipment. Food and pharmaceutical manufacturers in North America and Europe are most impacted due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented hydrocolloid production. These tariffs are raising ingredient costs and impacting formulation economics. However, they are also supporting local sourcing initiatives, alternative raw material development, and regional processing capabilities.

The hydrocolloids market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides hydrocolloids market statistics, including hydrocolloids industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hydrocolloids market share, detailed hydrocolloids market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hydrocolloids industry. This hydrocolloids market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The hydrocolloids market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.86 billion in 2025 to $15.11 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of processed food consumption, growth of pharmaceutical manufacturing, rising demand for texture-enhancing ingredients, availability of botanical raw materials, increasing use of stabilizers in food products.

The hydrocolloids market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $20.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on natural and sustainable ingredients, rising adoption of plant-based diets, expansion of functional food applications, growing pharmaceutical excipient demand, increasing innovation in multi-functional hydrocolloids. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for clean-label food ingredients, rising use of natural thickening agents, growing application in pharmaceutical formulations, expansion of plant-based hydrocolloids, enhanced functional performance customization.

The growing number of nutritionally conscious consumers is expected to drive the growth of the hydrocolloids market during the forecast period. Consumers are increasingly choosing nutritious foods, as proper nutrition supports psychological well-being, muscle strength, respiratory function, infection prevention, wound healing, and cardiovascular health. Hydrocolloids are functional food ingredients that provide significant nutritional benefits and can be used to tailor nutritional value and deliver potential health advantages by controlling gastric emptying, intestinal brake mechanisms, glycemic response, plasma cholesterol levels, and carbohydrate fermentation in the large intestine. For example, in May 2023, according to the International Food Information Council, a US-based nonprofit educational organization, approximately 50% of Americans reported following a specific eating pattern or diet in the previous year. Popular patterns included high-protein (18%), mindful eating (17%), calorie-counting (12%), clean eating (12%), and intermittent fasting (12%), primarily motivated by desires for improved health, digestion, weight management, energy, and long-term wellness. Therefore, the rise in nutritionally aware consumers is driving the growth of the hydrocolloids market.

Key players in the hydrocolloids market are focusing on advanced solutions, such as high-performance gelling systems, to improve texture modification, stability, and formulation versatility across food, beverage, and personal care applications. These systems leverage the multifunctional properties of gellan gum-including gelation, stabilization, thickening, suspension, and film formation-to meet increasing demand for enhanced product performance. For instance, in July 2023, DSM-Firmenich, a Switzerland-based science company, launched GELLANEER, a next-generation gelling agent derived from gellan gum. Known for its strong thickening ability and stability under heat and varying pH conditions, GELLANEER is widely used in beverages, desserts, and plant-based alternatives. The product line includes high-acyl gellan gum for softer, more elastic gels and low-acyl gellan gum for firm, brittle gels, providing manufacturers greater flexibility in designing customized textures and functional properties.

In November 2024, Tate & Lyle PLC, a UK-based provider of sweetening, mouthfeel, and fortification solutions, acquired CP Kelco for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand Tate & Lyle's presence in the hydrocolloids and specialty food ingredients market by integrating CP Kelco's portfolio of pectin, specialty gums, and other nature-based functional ingredients. CP Kelco is a US-based producer of specialty hydrocolloid solutions.

Major companies operating in the hydrocolloids market are Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Cargill Incorporated, CP Kelco US Inc., Darling Ingredients Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Hispanagar S.A., Ingredion Incorporated, Kerry Group plc, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Aquarev Industries SAS, BASF SE, Fiberstar Inc., FMC Corporation, Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Lotus Gums & Chemicals, Palsgaard A/S, Hawkins Watts Limited, J.F. Hydrocolloids Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Tate & Lyle plc, Gelymar S.A., Gum Technology Corporation, Gums n Gums Limited, KIMICA Corporation, Lucid Colloids Ltd., Nexira, Silvateam S.p.A., Taiyo International

North America was the largest region in the hydrocolloids market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the hydrocolloids market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the hydrocolloids market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The hydrocolloids market consists of sales of hydrocolloids by type, including starch and xanthan. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Hydrocolloids Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses hydrocolloids market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for hydrocolloids ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The hydrocolloids market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Carrageenan; Guar Gum; Gelatin; Pectin; Microcrystalline Cellulose; Other Types
• 2) By Function: Thickening; Gelling; Stabilizing; Other Functions
• 3) By Source: Botanical; Microbial; Animal; Seaweed; Synthetic
• 4) By Application: Food And Beverage; Pharmaceutical; Personal Care Products; Other Applications
• Subsegments::
• 1) By Carrageenan: Kappa Carrageenan; Iota Carrageenan; Lambda Carrageenan
• 2) By Guar Gum: Food-Grade Guar Gum; Industrial-Grade Guar Gum
• 3) By Gelatin: Bovine Gelatin; Porcine Gelatin; Fish Gelatin
• 4) By Pectin: High-Methoxyl Pectin; Low-Methoxyl Pectin
• 5) By Microcrystalline Cellulose: Food-Grade Microcrystalline Cellulose; Pharmaceutical-Grade Microcrystalline Cellulose
• 6) By Other Types: Xanthan Gum; Locust Bean Gum; Arabic Gum
• Companies Mentioned: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company; Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Cargill Incorporated; CP Kelco US Inc.; Darling Ingredients Inc.; DuPont de Nemours Inc.; Hispanagar S.A.; Ingredion Incorporated; Kerry Group plc; Koninklijke DSM N.V.; Aquarev Industries SAS; BASF SE; Fiberstar Inc.; FMC Corporation; Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG; Lotus Gums & Chemicals; Palsgaard A/S; Hawkins Watts Limited; J.F. Hydrocolloids Inc.; E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Tate & Lyle plc; Gelymar S.A.; Gum Technology Corporation; Gums n Gums Limited; KIMICA Corporation; Lucid Colloids Ltd.; Nexira; Silvateam S.p.A.; Taiyo International
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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